It is so hard to know when you are exclusively breastfeeding how much your baby is getting from each feed. We focus on volume and feeding intervals, how long baby is eating for. How often they eat and how long they sleep. We worry about milk supply.
Is that bad? Well honestly it depends. We as moms are taught now, based on bottle feeding norms. The expectation when bottle feeding is babies will eat up to 3 ounces at a time. And normally will eat every three hours. When breastfeeding a legitimate concern is whether the baby is "getting enough".
We become focused on how often baby eats. How long they sleep. How long it takes for them to feed.
I believe the most difficult part of breastfeeding is you cannot see how much baby gets at a feed.
The second most difficult concept is babies who are breast fed "customize" their meal every time they eat. Breastmilk changes in response to the babies need. Sometimes it is rich and other times it is more "hydration" based. There are times babies feed more often and other times less often and BOTH are normal. We have become a schedule focused, performance-based society, so it is difficult for some personality types to go with the flow.
Breastfed babies do best when they control the schedule, and the times they feed for. Did you know babies have the amazing tendency to become experts at emptying the breast. They get really efficient so what used to take them say 20-30 minutes will eventually take the 5-10 minutes. When they decrease the amount of time it takes to empty it creates concern for mom.
The answer is seeking competent assistance. Be careful who you choose to get your information. Dr Google or Dr social media can contain some pretty detrimental advice.
Babie who are well fed have 6+ wet diapers and have normal stools. There are normal volumes for breast milk production, about 28-35 ounces per day. If you are feeding and pumping and you get more than an ounce or two you are probably overproducing. If you breast feel full often after the first 6 weeks you need to see competent advice.
Relax mamma, in most instances you will make what your baby needs. Look for wet and poopy diapers. Be careful where you get your information. Try to relax and just love on your baby!
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