Breastfeeding Daily Guides

The daily progress of mothers and infants after delivery

Progress of mothers and breastfeeding tips:

Observation and care of the infant –

Observe your baby’s behavior and feeding cues
Respond to baby’s needs
Provide comfort and feed accordingly

　Breastfeeding and frequencies–

1st 24 hours – At least 3 - 4 times
After 24 hours –

Feed responsively

Average 8 – 12 feeds a day

Your baby is suckling strongly, slowly, steadily and swallowing often

　Breasts conditions –

1st 24 hours – Breasts soft, with small amount of colostrum.
24 – 48 hours -- Breasts soft, with some colostrum.
Day 3 – Day 4 – Breasts feel fuller, with milk ‘come in’.
Day 4 – Day 10 onwards – Breasts fuller, with milk flowing more smoothly and the breasts soften after feeding.

Progress of infants:

　Behaviours –

1st 24 hours – Sometimes sleepy and like attaching to their mothers
24 – 48 hours – Have more suckling needs
Day 3 – Day 10 onwards –

Need to be fed frequently

Active and easily wake up

　Tummy sizes and capacities --

1st 24 hours – 48 hours – Size of a marble; capacity 5 – 7 ml.
Day 3 – Day 4 – Size of a ping pong ball; capacity 22 – 27 ml.
Day 5 – Day 7 – Size of a golf ball; capacity 45 – 60 ml.
Day 10 onwards -- Size of an egg; capacity 60 – 81 ml.

　Wet nappies / Amount of urine (over 24 hours) –

1st 24 hours – 48 hours -- At least 1 – 2 wet nappies
Day 3 – Day 4 – At least 3 – 4 wet nappies (heavier)
Day 5 – Day 10 onwards – At least 5 – 6 wet nappies and weighing about 3 tablespoons of water each. The urine should be clear and light yellowish.

　Soiled nappies / Colour of stool (over 24 hours) --

1st 24 hours – 48 hours -- At least 1 – 2 soiled nappies, with black or green colour stool
Day 3 – Day 4 – At least 2 soiled nappies with brown, green or yellow colour stool
Day 5 – Day 10 onwards – At least 2 soiled nappies, with soft and seedy yellow stool

Body weight –

1st 24 hours – Day 4 – Babies lose an average of 7% of their birth weights in the first 3 days but usually not exceeding 10%
Day 5 – Day 10 onwards – Babies’ weights will start regaining from the 5th day and should reach their own birth weight on the 14th day

* Please seek help from health professionals or Maternity and Child Health Centres early if you have any problem in breastfeeding or doubt with baby’s stool / urine / body weight. *