Common Questions and Concerns

How will I know if my baby is getting enough to eat?

Your baby will normally feed 8-12 times a day around the clock for the first month or so. Normally, a newborn baby does not sleep through the night until 5-6 months of age. Newborns commonly lose weight the first few days afer birth before they begin gaining weight. So, if you are changing wet diapers 6 or more times a day, baby has 4 or more bowel movements a day, is content after feedings, is active when awake, has frequent swallowing while nursing and is gaining weight after mom's milk comes in, then baby is getting enough to eat.

How will I know if I have enough milk for my baby?

After your milk comes in, watch for these signs:

• Your baby nurses 8 or more times in 24 hours. It is normal for very young babies to wake up often to nurse.
• Your baby has six or more wet diapers every 24 hours; urine should be light yellow in color.
• Four or more bowel movements every 24 hours. As your milk comes in, bowel movements should change from black and sticky to a yellowish more liquid consistency.
• You can hear your baby swallowing milk.
• Your baby should be content after feedings.
• Your baby is active when awake.
• Your baby starts gaining weight after milk comes in.

How can my husband or partner be involved in caring for the baby?

Fathers/partners are half of the parent team and their support and involvment is very important. It is true they can not breastfeed the baby, but they can be involved in many ways. They can give mom a break so she can go for a walk, take a nap, shower, or read a book. This can be a special time when dad gives the baby a bath or has a special play routine. At night time feedings, dads or partners can change baby, bring baby to mom for feeding, then burp baby and put baby back to bed.

I am very modest, how can I breastfeed in public?

Breastfeeding your baby is actually one of the most womanly things that you will ever do. There are many ways to breast feed in public modestly. You can wear loose fitting tops or drape a blanket over your shoulder and the baby while nursing.

I will be returning to work after my baby is born. How can I breastfeed and return to work?

With the Family Medical Leave Act, mothers are entitled to up to three months off after birth. Renting a good breast pump and looking into how your work place accommodates breast feeding mothers can help ease the transition of returning to work after baby is born.

For more detailed information about breastfeeding, the Women's Center at Presbyterian offers Breastfeeding Basics classes specially designed for expectant parents. In our classes, parents learn information about the early breastfeeding experience that supports their decision to breastfeed and makes it a more relaxed and enjoyable time.

For more information on our classes at Presbyterian or to register, please call (505) 724-6500.