While breastfeeding, new mothers are always concerned with the possibility of underfeeding their baby when breastfeeding them. Though this is rather unlikely, there is still a remote possibility.
It should be known that breast milk is a wonderful thing that regulates itself so that the baby gets as much milk as he needs while feeding. With the growth of the baby, and it’s hunger, the among of milk in the breast tends to increase so as to meet the increased hunger of the baby. One of the best means of making out if the baby is getting enough milk is by checking the diapers. Heavy and regular soiling of the diaper on a regular basis means that the baby is feeding well. However, if the diaper tends to be light and with little soiling, then it means that the baby is not feeding correctly.
There are other signs for the mother to check out to find out if their new baby is getting enough breast milk. Wrinkles on the baby’s skin point to under-nourishment of the baby. Though most babies tend to have wrinkled skin when born, this skin tends to fill out in their first few weeks. However, if the skin tends to remain wrinkled, it could signify dehydration with either a small or no weight gain. The baby appearing to be hungry even after being fed is a sign of undernourishment. If this remains constant, it is a good idea to visit your health visitor or doctor.
Just as there is a chance of the baby being underfed, there are occasions where the baby may be overfed. Some of the signs of the baby overfeeding are of vomiting after feeds. This is due to the fact that the tummy is too full, and is his means of rejecting the extra milk. Babies having loose, watery stools to indicate overheating. However, if the baby is vomiting excessively, and not spitting, it may indicate something more serious than overfeeding. It is very important to get the advice of your health visitor or doctor in such cases as there is a possibility of the baby’s digestive system having some problem with their digestive system or it could be that they have some allergy of some sort.
It is always better to start on solid food at about 4-6 months, but in the process, breast milk should remain their mainstay till they are at least one year old. With breast milk, the baby has ensured an adequate intake of all vitamins and nutrition that is very important in the first year of his life. With the growth of the baby, he is weaned from his breast milk till his diet consists of a whole variety of solid foods that will give him his required nutrients.