The Newborn Stomach

Your Milk Supply

Nursing frequently in the first few weeks

Feeding Well

There are a number of ways to be confident

Your newborn ’ s stomach is very small at birth and gradually expands . As their belly grows , your baby can drink more at each feeding , but will still need frequent feedings .

Day 10 : chicken egg sized and holds 2 ounces or about 60 ml .

Day 1 : a newborn belly is marble sized and holds about 1 / 4 of an ounce or about 5 ml .

During the first few days , your body produces small quantities of a dense , yellowish milk called colostrum . Colostrum has lots of antibodies and helps develop baby ’ s digestive system .

Mature milk is

Day 3 : baby ’ s belly is ping pong ball sized and holds 3 / 4 to 1 ounce or about 25 ml . As your milk volume increases , it becomes whiter and thinner . This is called transitional milk .

helps establish your milk supply . The more baby drinks , the more your body will produce . Several days after birth , your body starts to produce milk in greater volume ( often called when your milk comes in ) and may make more than your baby needs . You may experience engorgement ( fullness in the breasts ) that usually goes away within a few days with frequent feedings . If breast fullness makes it difficult for baby to latch , express just enough milk to soften them to make latching easier . You can also apply gentle pressure with your fingers on the areola at the base of the nipple to help the nipple protrude . You may need to hand express or pump some milk if you are uncomfortable after a feeding .

Newborn Stool

A newborn ’ s stool ( poop ) changes over the first week .

Transferring Milk

© Rene Jansa Qwasyx

When your milk volume increases , you may notice different ways your baby nurses . At first , sucking may look like “ nibbling .” This stimulates your breasts to release milk ( called the let-down reflex ). Once milk is flowing , baby will usually switch to a deep , rhythmic sucking with pauses as they swallow milk .

Feed for as long as your baby is actively nursing ( baby ’ s jaw is moving and you can hear swallowing ). When activity slows , offer the other breast . Some babies will be satisfied with just one breast at a feeding .

that your baby is getting plenty of milk .

Weight Gain

Urine Output

Stool Output

Frequency

Week 1 Weeks 2 – 6

Newborns may lose 7 – 10 percent of their body weight in the first 48 hours . Most babies regain their birth weight by 10 – 14 days .

At least one wet diaper for each day of life ( 1 on day 1 , 2 on 2 ), and 6 + by day 4 .*

One stool for each day of life . Meconium will pass with frequent feedings . Stool will change as your milk increases .

Feed on demand , 8 – 12 times a day or more . Newborns may feed frequently ( cluster-feed ) then sleep for a longer stretch .

Babies usually gain 5 – 7 ounces ( 142 – 198 grams ) per week . Weight checks can reassure you that your baby is doing well .

At least 6 wet diapers in a 24 hour period .*

3 – 4 or more stools a day . After 6 weeks breastfed babies may go several days without a bowel movement .

May be able to go longer between feedings , but be sure baby is transferring milk well . May nurse more often when growing quickly .

produced after the first few weeks of

NO EARLY ARTIFICIAL NIPPLES

* Note that disposable diapers can feel dry after baby urinates . Line the diaper with a tissue and / or look for a change in weight , fullness , smell or discoloration .

breastfeeding . As your baby grows , your body responds by changing the composition of milk at each feeding so that it provides the right nutrients to your baby each time .

© Plumtree Baby 2021 . All rights reserved .

Day 1 Day 3

Day 5-6 Stool is black Greenish , More yellow , and sticky , called thinner and “ mustard-like ,” meconium . less sticky . watery and seedy .

These are normal , healthy changes that indicate baby is getting enough to eat .

The way a newborn sucks for nursing is very different from sucking on bottles or pacifiers . Using artificial nipples too early can lead to pain while breastfeeding or poor milk transfer . It is usually best to wait until breastfeeding is going well ( four to six weeks ).

The information in this brochure should not be construed as medical advice , nor is it intended to replace the individual care of a health care professional .

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