Breastfeeding Your BabyBreastfeeding Your BabyG U I D E L I N E S F O R N U R S I N G M O T H E R S
YOUR BABY’S AGE 1 DAY 2 DAYS 3 DAYS 4 DAYS 5 DAYS 6 DAYS 7 DAYS2 WEEKS 3 WEEKS 4 WEEKS 5 WEEKS 6 WEEKS to
6 MONTHS
WEEK 1
Your Baby’s Tummy SizeSize of a cooked chick
pea or hazelnut Size of a cherry or teaspoon
Your Baby’s Milk Needs
Frequency of Feeds
Wet Diapers:
Number and Wetness
Soiled Diapers:
Number and Colour of Stools
Your Baby’s Weight
✹Growth SpurtsBabies often experience a sudden burst in growth—a growth ‘spurt’—at
certain times within their first few weeks. During these growth spurtsyour baby may want to nurse more than usual.
✹ ✹
Most babies lose about 5 to 7% of their birth weight in the first 3 to 4 daysafter birth. For example, a 3.2 kilogram or 7 pound baby will lose about
230 grams or 1/2 a pound.
At least 1 to 2 perday
BLACK OR DARKGREEN
At least 2 to 3 per dayBROWN, GREEN OR YELLOW
About 1 to 3 large per dayYELLOW
Your baby should gain about 100 to 250grams a week (450 to 900 grams or 1 to 2
pounds a month) for the first 3 months.
Your baby should return tohis or her birth weightby 2 to 3 weeks of age.
1 or more largeevery 1 to 7
daysYELLOW
At least 6 per dayHEAVY WET
10 to 100 ml or1 tablespoon to 1/3
cup per day
In the first month 8 to 12 feeds per dayBy about 2 months,6 to 8 feeds per day
700 to 800 ml per day or about 2 1/2 à 3 1/2 cups per day200 ml or almost 1 cup per day
Atleast2 WET
Atleast3 WET
Atleast4 WET
Atleast5 WET
Atleast1 WET
Size of a walnut or tablespoon
BREAST MILK IS ALL THE FOOD YOUR BABY NEEDS FORTHE FIRST SIX MONTHS
The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF recommend thatyou feed your baby nothing but breast milk from birth to 6 months.At 6 months, begin adding solid foods while continuing to breastfeedyour baby until age two or beyond.
HOW CAN YOU TELL THAT YOUR BABY IS GETTING ENOUGHMILK?• Your baby is sucking strongly, slowly, and steadily.
• You can see your baby swallowing.
• Your baby has a strong cry and moves actively.
• Your baby’s mouth is moist.
• Your baby’s eyes are bright and alert.
• Your baby comes off the breast looking relaxed and content.
• Your breasts feel softer and less full after breastfeeding.
• Your baby is growing and feels heavier.
WHERE TO FIND HELP?Breastfeeding support is available in your community.Ask your doctor, nurse, or midwife for help.
Your CSSS or Info-Santé can help you and refer you to community groupsor lactation counsellors.
Best Start is a key program of the Ontario Prevention Clearinghouse (www.beststart.org).
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