How do I know if baby is getting enough milk?

Although it is difficult to know how much milk your baby has taken when breastfeeding, you can assess by the following observations:

Sucking

Your baby takes rhythmic, long and slow suckles and swallows with pauses occasionally. You may even hear him swallowing. If the baby is drinking a mouthful of milk during each swallowing, there is a pause between every sucking and swallowing movement. Afterwards baby may be sucking more gently, and may be without swallowing. When your baby gets enough milk, he will stop suckling, releases your breast and looks satisfied and contented. Your breasts will be softened after breastfeeding, though you may not have this feeling in the first two or three days.

Colostrum gradually changes to "mature milk" since the 5th day after birth, During a feed, your milk (mature milk) will change from watery “foremilk” to creamy “hindmilk” which contains high fat content providing sufficient energy for your baby. You should feed your baby on one breast first to ensure her taking both the “foremilk” and “hindmilk”. Then, feed her with the other breast if needed. Do not switch to the other breast while baby is still drinking, otherwise he is only getting the foremilk which is thin and low in calories and proteins, and the baby's weight gain may not be satisfactory despite the urine excretion is adequate.

Excretion pattern

Excretion pattern, and wrong info for the table:

Day of life	Wet nappies	Soiled nappies
1st - 2nd day	at least one to two diapers per day with colourless or pale yellow urine	black or dark green meconium in his bowel movements
3rd - 4th day	At least three heavier wet diapers per day	The stool will gradually change from meconium to yellowish colour in the first 5 days Stool texture changes from loose or pasty to seedy gradually Pass at least 2 times yellowish stool per day ( size of a $1 coin at least ) in the first mont
5th day onwards	at least five to six heavy wet diapers every day

Baby's weight gain

It is normal for your baby to lose a bit of weight in the first few days after birth. By the first 1 to 2 weeks, your baby should regain the birth weight and gain weight steadily. He will gain at least half a kilogram per month in the first 4 months

If your baby has the above signs of getting enough milk, you could take him to a nearby Maternal and Child Health Centre or your family doctor for regular follow up within 7 days after birth. However If you have any problem in breastfeeding or your baby does not have any of the above signs, please bring your baby to the Maternal and Child Health Centres or a Paediatrician as soon as possible for assessment of baby's condition.