By the third day of life, (from 48 hours old to 72 hours old):
- Your baby nurses 8-12 times in 24 hours.
- Your baby has at least 3-4 wet diapers in 24 hours.
- You can hear your baby swallowing. A swallow sounds like a "sigh". Frequent swallowing is the most reliable sign that the baby is getting milk.
By 4-5 days of life and following, your baby should have 6 or more wet diapers in 24 hours.
- Your breasts are softer after the baby nurses.
- Your baby has at least one bowel movement in 24 hours. The pattern of stooling varies greatly in breastfed babies. Stools are mustard yellow in color and a seedy/cottage cheese consistency.
- Your baby is back to his birth weight by two weeks of age.
Call your Pediatrician if by 3 days of age:
- Your baby is not nursing every 2-3 hours for at least 10-15 minutes.
- Does not have 3-4 urine diapers in 24 hours.
- Has not had one or more bowel movements in 24 hours.