Signs Your Baby is Getting Enough Breastmilk & Signs of Dehydration

Signs of Sufficient Intake

Signs of Dehydration

1.  Your newborn nurses 8-12 times in a 
     24-hour period.

2.  Your newborn has one or more bowel 
      movements in a 24-hour period.

3.  Your newborn has 6-8 wet diapers in a 
     24-hour period.  If you use disposables, 
     test one by pouring 2 to 3 tablespoons 
     of water in an empty diaper -- that's a 
     wet diaper.

4.  You can hear your baby swallowing 
     while nursing.

5.  In the first 4-6 weeks, your breasts feel 
     softer after nursing.  When your milk 
     supply stabilizes, your breasts will feel 
     soft most of the time.

6.  Your newborn nurses for as long as he 
     wants (at least 10 minutes on the first breast).

If your baby shows any of these signs, consult your medical care provider immediately for further evaluation.

1.  Baby is overly-sleepy, not alert.

2.  Baby has lost skin resiliency (when pinched, 
     the skin retains the pinch).

3.  Wrinkled crepe paper-like skin tone.

4.  Baby's mouth is dry.

5.  Baby's urine output is minimal and is dark 
     yellow or looks like brick dust.  Lack of 
     stooling in a newborn.

6.  The fontanel appears sunken; there is a 
     visible "dip" on top of the baby's head.

7.  Fever.

8.  Failure to gain weight.

 9.  In older infants only:  decreased tearing. 
     (Many newborns have blocked tear ducts 
     at birth and may not produce tears in the early weeks.)