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Signs of Milk Transfer


When you are wondering about signs of milk transfer always check your latch and positioning

Visual signs of effective attachment in baby

1. Wide open mouth
2. Fish lips or flanged lips
3. Nose, cheeks, & chin touching or almost touching the breast
4. Rythmic dropping of baby's jaw while swallowing, see here

*tips* for attachment:
1. to check if  baby is attached, roll baby back one inch. If baby becomes unattached baby was never attached.
2. Check baby's lower lip if rolled in, gently slip your finger by the corner of their mouth and unroll it.





Baby's body position
1. Baby is frontal to frontal with parent
2. Baby's whole body is close to parent
3.Baby's body is aligned and supported

*tip* for positioning- try watching your self in a mirror to check your positioning





Signs of milk transfer in Baby

Suck:Swallow pattern
1. During babies first three days baby may suck up to 10 times per swallow
2. After milk volume increase at 3-5 days postpartum baby should have a suck:swallow pattern of 1:1, 2:1, or 3:1
3. Suck:swallow pattern should have occasional pauses up 5 seconds
4.While nursing hold your babies hand when there is a pause count to 5 in your head, if sucking does not resume bring baby's hand to your mouth for a kiss, this should restart suck:swallow pattern and help sleepy babies
4. You should see babies jaw drop while swallowing and hear audible pah pah or kah kah sounds

If you do not hear or see swallowing please contact your lactation professional and pediatrician immediately. Also contact immediately if suck:swallow pattern is more than 3:1 after your baby's 3rd day.

Poopy diapers
      Day of life 1-2: 1 black tarry meconium diaper




Day of life 3: some green poopy diapers
   


     Day of life  3-4: 3-4 yellow poopy diapers
Day of life 5: 3-4 yellow poopy diapers
Day of life 6: 3-5 yellow poopy diapers

Diapers should gradually become lighter in color until yellow stool, while exclusively breastfed 

Wet Diapers
Day of life 1=1 wet diaper
Day of life 2=2 wet diapers
Day of life 3=3 wet diapers
Day of life 4=4 wet diapers
Day of life 5=5-6 wet diapers
Day of life 6 and beyond=6 wet diapers

 On your baby's first day the pee may be a red-orange color but after the first day and beyond it should be a pale yellow color.  If you do have any red-orange diapers on the first day and beyond contact your medical professionally so they can assess  variables to  ensure your child is not dehydrated or experiencing situation.

 *tip* if you are having trouble telling if a diaper is wet:
1.You can put a square of toilet paper in the diaper 
2. Slightly pinch the diaper, if the diaper feels squishy it is wet
Weight Gain & Growth
1. Babies weight loss is highest during its third day of life
2. weight loss should not exceed 7%
3. During day of life 3-5 milk volume will increase and baby should begin weight gain consistent within a day or two
4. By the baby's 14th day baby should be at birth weight
5. During baby's first two months they should gain 20-30 g per day (~5-7 oz).
6. Baby's usually double birth weight by 5-6 months
7. Baby's usually triple birth weight by 12 months
8. Baby grows in head circumference and length 

 References


“MILK SUPPLY.” Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative: Revised, Updated and Expanded for Integrated Care., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 1 Jan. 1970, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK153484/.

“Breastfeeding and Human Lactation.” Google Books, books.google.com/books?id=aiVesab_2bwC&pg=PA218&lpg=PA218&dq=signs%2Bof%2Bmilk%2Btransfer&source=bl&ots=EepgAQOTuT&sig=ExgPzwS_p1TL06stcMjK7G7NUws&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiTuOqOnZbVAhVS4WMKHSVQBFk4ChDoAQhWMAk#v=onepage&q=signs%20of%20milk%20transfer&f=false.

 hill, pamela d, and teresa s johnson. “Assessment of Breastfeeding and Infant Growth.”Medscape Log In, www.medscape.com/viewarticle/565624_6.

 International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA), and Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN). “Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario.”Latch, Milk Transfer and Effective Breastfeeding | Nursing Best Practice Guidelines, pda.rnao.ca/content/latch-milk-transfer-and-effective-breastfeeding.

This is an educational resource not medical advice work with your Healthcare provider and an IBCLC to improve your situation










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