How to Know When Breastfeeding is Going Well, pt. 2: Baby’s Wet Diapers

Continuing on from the last post, you may have heard that new babies in the first week of breastfeeding should have 5 or 6 wet disposable diapers every 24 hours and at least 3-4 yellow stools. This will be true later but not yet. Misunderstandings about this are another common reason babies are given formula unnecessarily.

The authors describe in their book Breastfeeding Made Simple why, during the first few days, the amount of colostrum, the early milk, is small: Your baby has a small stomach and can’t handle more. (It would most likely just come back up because the newborn’s stomach can’t stretch.) She is also born waterlogged and doesn’t need more fluids. In fact, do during this time, he needs to shed fluids to reach a healthier balance.

Because the amount of colostrum baby gets is small at first, the number of wet diapers will also be small until your milk increases on the 3rd or 4th day. Here’s what you can expect:

*day one: one wet diaper

*day two: two wet diapers

*day three: three wet diapers

*day four: four wet diapers

As you can see, as your baby takes his small, frequent feedings, your milk production gradually increases. By the end of the first week, the volume of your baby’s output will likely be 10 times greater than the day she was born.