S/O how much Milk ~ How do you know if not using a bottle?

[Deleted User]

This is probably a total FTM overdone question, so I apologize. However, when BF how do you know how much LO has actually drank?

LoveOfMikesLife

I also pump so I know about how long it takes to get a certain amount and about how my breast feel when empty/ half empty things like that. 

I also nurse until LO pulls off himself, but he gets burped often. By doing that my hope is that he isn't over eating but also eating until he is full. This all may be in my head too and in reality I have no clue.

jasminelorraine20

You don't know.  LO will show signs if he's not drinking enough, but just continue to nurse for however long he wants to.

Jenny952

The short answer: you don't, exactly.

You will know when your baby is hungry.  In the first couple weeks, you'll probably feel like all you do is nurse the baby and it will seem like baby eats all the time.  But a better indicator is to make sure LO is making enough wet and dirty diapers and seems satisfied after a feeding.  For my DD, her falling asleep or pulling herself off the breast, or now wanting to go play are good indications that she's full.  But really, it doesn't matter how much the baby eats, just that the baby is eating.  Like I said, you will very soon learn what the hungry cry sounds like.

tokenhoser

The easiest way to know what's going in is to watch what's coming out (i.e. count wet and dirty diapers).

If breastfeeding is going well, it doesn't actually matter exactly how many oz baby is drinking. 

Winomama

Many lactation consultants have scales, and you can weigh your baby before he/she eats, the "dry weight", and then again after. If your baby gained 90 grams, that is 90ml, or 3 ounces. You will know if your baby isn't satisfied if he or she hasn't gotten enough after the nursing session, because he/she will be fussy and start giving more hunger cues.

Most women are fully capable of producing enough milk for their baby, the key is frequent nursings on-demand to build up a great supply. Because breastfeeding is supply on demand, and your baby needs to nurse a lot to tell your body to start producing more milk!