Is my breastfed baby eating enough? How much weight should my baby be gaining?
Chart listing the approximate normal weight gain for babies up to 12 months.
How do we know if a breastfed baby is getting enough to eat?
Weight gain is the primary indicator of a baby's health and milk transfer when breastfeeding. Therefore, frequent weight checks are important, especially in the first month after birth. Generally, a newborn may lose 7-10% of their birth weight from birth to day 4, and we want the baby to start gaining a bare minimum of 1 oz per day on day 5.
A weight check at the two-week mark is important because the baby should be back to birth weight or beyond by this time. If they are not gaining weight within the ranges above, this could be a red flag that something may not be working as expected.
If a baby isn't gaining weight, three things come to mind:
Is there not enough breastmilk available in the breast?
Is the baby unable to transfer the milk that is available?
Or are both things true?
This is when a lactation consultation is needed to answer these questions and create a plan to help increase milk supply, and if needed, help the baby transfer more milk at the breast, and begin to see the baby gain weight appropriately.
We expect to see a baby continue to gain weight, according to the chart, to maintain their growth curve and to not be "falling off the curve". Oftentimes, I find that a baby simply needs to be fed more frequently in a 24-hour period of time. Most babies need to eat a minimum of 8 feeds in 24 hours in order to maintain their curve and thrive with good weight gain.
If you are following a feeding chart, book, course, or plan that encourages you to feed your baby fewer times per day and you see them not gaining, well - then you will need to add back in feedings during the day.
In the first few months of a baby's life it is typical for them to feed 8-12 times in 24 hours and then it gets less with time as the baby tells you through hunger cues that they need to feed. So watch for those early hunger cues: squeaks, squirms, turning their head, opening their mouth, sticking out their tongue and respond by feeding them. Try not to wait to feed when the baby is hangry, angry, or crying as these are late signs of hunger.
Good weight gain early on in your breastfeeding journey is a great sign of a solid milk supply, and that carries through for the long-term journey of breastfeeding that you may desire. If your baby isn't gaining or you're having questions about this topic, please reach out and get scheduled for a lactation visit with an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) in your area, like Bonnie and her team at Bonnie Knows Breast.
