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Healthy Babies & Families


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999 Balmoral Street
Thunder Bay, ON
P7B 6E7
Phone: (807) 625-5900
Toll-Free: (888) 294-6630
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Tips About What to Expect

Baby's First Days

 

The breast fed baby nurses on average 8 to 12 times in 24 hours. This is generally every 1 ½ to 3 hours. An average feeding may last 45 to 60 minutes including a diaper change. The baby appears satisfied and content after nursing.

Days 1 to 3

Colostrum is the first fluid from the breast. It contains antibodies, protein and fat.
bowel movements: 1 to 3 sticky, dark green or almost black stools in 24 hours.
wet diapers: Generally 2 to 3 per day, increasing in number and amount each day.

Days 3 to 4

Milk coming in
bowel movements: 3 to 4 loose brown/green/yellow stools in 24 hours.
wet diapers: 3 to 4 per day, heavier wetting

Days 5 to 6

Mature milk
bowel movements: 3 to 5 loose stools becoming more yellow in colour, seedy consistency. At least 3 are the size of a dollar coin. If the bowel movements are very small or just a stain on the diaper, there should be several a day.
heavy wet diapers: 5 to 6 per day

Days 6 to 8

bowel movements: 2 to 5 or more per day
heavy wet diapers: 6 to 8 per day

Week 4

bowel movements: may decrease; some babies have only one large bowel movement every few days.

Weight gain - follow-up with doctor, midwife or nurse practitioner by ONE WEEK OF AGE not one week after discharge!

When Your Baby Is Latched Well...

·        SEE mouth open wide, lips spread out and relaxed

·        FEEL breast tug - no pain, breasts softer after feeding

·        HEAR the sound of baby swallowing, sucking is slow and rhythmic

Call For Help If...

·        nipples are sore or cracked

·        you are unable to get baby latched onto breast

·        baby falls asleep after nursing for only a few minutes

·        during the first week baby has no bowel movements for over 12 hours

·        baby is having infrequent wet diapers after day 3

·        baby has dark green to black bowel movements after 5 days of age

·        baby sleeps for 4 to 5 hours more than once a day

·        baby is spending more than 1 hour at the breast and begins crying soon after being taken off

·        baby is not content between feedings or cries a lot

·        baby has only rapid, nibbling, shallow type of sucking

·        you have any concerns or questions

For information or help with breastfeeding, phone the Thunder Bay District Health Unit at 625-8814.

 

 

Last Updated: 4/18/2006

Visit our other websites:  FairStart.ca | TeenWavez.com | TakeABreakWithYourKid.ca | 4HealthyKidsNorthWest.ca