Breastfeeding Daily Checklist printable pdf download

Breastfeeding

108A - R150511

page 1 of 3

Introduction

How to know if your breastfeeding baby is getting enough — and some breastfeeding basics.

FEEDINGS

POSITION

LATCH

SUCK

DIAPERS

• Hand express to

• You should feel a snug

• Feed your baby when

• Get comfortable, with

• A newborn baby who

make the nipple wet.

tug, strong suction,

you see your baby’s

is getting enough

good back support,

and taut pull (moreso

feeding cues: rooting,

breast milk will have

and relax. Prop

• Stroke the baby‘s

at beginning of

fist sucking, smacking,

4-6 wet diapers in 24

yourself and baby

nose to chin with your

feeding).

and searching.

hours before the milk

nipple until baby’s

well with pillows.

mouth opens wide

“comes in”.

• Baby’s cheeks remain

• Babies need at

• Feed skin-to-skin

and tongue is down.

full and rounded, not

least 10 feedings in

• After your breast

whenever possible.

dimpled inward.

• With nipple centered

24 hours; 10-12 is

milk “comes in”, baby

• Hold baby close,

over baby’s tongue,

normal.

• Look for a smooth

should have at least

tummy to tummy,

quickly guide

regular suck/swallow

6 wet diapers in 24

• Sleepy newborns may

well onto breast.

facing breast with

pattern with brief rest

hours.

need to be awakened

Remember to bring

mouth at nipple level.

pauses.

every two to three

• Your breast milk

baby to the breast

• Your arm and hand

• In the first few days,

hours.

usually will “come in”

rather than the

baby may need to suck

provide support to

breast to the baby.

3-5 days after baby is

• Try unwrapping baby

a few times before a

keep baby securely

born.

from blankets, change

• Look for baby’s upper

swallow is seen, felt,

at breast. Your other

and bottom lip to be

the diaper, take off

• Most newborns

or heard. After day

hand supports your

turned outwards over

baby’s shirt, and

require 8-12 diaper

2, swallowing will be

breast with a “C” hold.

areola, sealed tight

breastfeed skin-to-

changes each day

more frequent.

on breast, and at

skin.

after the first week.

• Your fingers need to

• Pain throughout the

least one inch beyond

be well back from the

• Count feedings from

• A newborn’s first

feeding, or any change

the tip of the nipple.

areola (the darker

the beginning of

bowel movement

in nipple appearance,

Baby’s chin and chest

skin around the

one feeding to the

often means that baby

should be held in

is called meconium

nipple) so baby can

beginning of the next

close to mother’s

is not latched well or is

and looks like a

feeding.

latch on.

breast.

sucking incorrectly.

sticky, black tar-like

substance.

• The color gradually

changes in a few days

ATTENTION!!!

from black meconium

to greenish-brown

Call your baby’s doctor if:

or a greenish-yellow,

then to a gold-

• You have any questions or concerns about breastfeeding.

yellowish “mustard”

• You have persistent nipple pain during feeding.

color if baby is

• You have reddened, painful areas in the breast.

breastfeeding.

• Mom has fever greater than 100º F.

• The stools have a soft,

mushy consistency.

• Baby’s skin, eyes, or urine turn yellow.

• Your baby develops jaundice (a yellow-orange tinge to their skin) in the first few days of their

• A breastfeeding baby

life. Most often this condition is not a problem and should resolve in 1-2 weeks. If baby has

that is getting enough

developed jaundice, call your baby’s doctor. You will probably be asked to bring your baby to

breast milk will have

the office for a blood test. The results from the test will determine the level of jaundice and

at least 3 stools each

whether treatment is necessary.

day by the baby’s

third day of life.

2478 13th Street SE

Salem, Oregon 97302

503-362-2481

Breastfeeding Daily Checklist

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