A baby who feeds well will show the following signs:

  • Small sucks moving to large deep sucks (open mouth, pause, close mouth slightly)

  • Your baby will end each feeding by falling asleep at the breast or coming off the breast satisfied

  • Your baby is waking to feed 8 or more times in 24 hours

  • Your baby has a loud cry and moves actively

  • Your baby’s mouth is wet and pink

  • Your baby’s eyes look bright and awake

    NOTE: Babies can stay on the breast for long periods of time and not receive breast-milk. The breast can be a great pacifier.

    Seek help if you are unsure.

Most babies will have at least:

Day 1 2 3 4 5+ Over 4 Weeks
# wet diapers 1 2 3 6 6+ 6+
# of stools 1 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ May decrease
Colour black & tarry black & tarry greenish to yellow & seedy changing to yellow & seedy yellow & seedy colour can change frequently

Your doctor or midwife should see your breastfed baby within five to seven days after birth. If you have concerns, contact your health care provider.

Taken from Breastfeeding Matters.

After 4 weeks:

  • Bowel movements can change and decrease in frequency
  • Some babies can go several days without a bowel movement but be sure the diapers are very wet.

Videos

Good drinking and swallowing 

Audible swallowing with mom doing breast compressions

Reviewed
May 2020 - KS