How to know how much breast milk your baby is getting

This was the coolest thing I learned after I took the breastfeeding class at the hospital (while I was still pregnant). Weigh them before and after you feed them!

In the beginning, when Grant was a newborn, I stressed so much about him getting enough milk (the lactation consultant told us we would 100% feel this way). She said just count the diapers (poo/pee). So we counted. According to the diapers, he was getting enough, and the pediatrician said he was gaining enough weight. But Grant was fussy, and my mom kept telling me he was hungry. How could he be hungry?! I was feeding him 24/7. Maybe he wasn't getting enough milk?

So, I remembered what the consultant said about the scale. So, I scheduled a meeting with her. She sat with us while I nursed, and then we weighed him before and after. He was 2.5 ounces heavier afterward!

I immediately went home and ordered a scale off of Amazon (around $50). I used it morning and night. I figured out how much he was getting in a day (a lot in the morning!) Exclusively breastfed babies take in an average of 25 oz (750 mL) per day between the age of one to six months, but it can range from 19-30 oz per day (570-900 mL per day).

My lactation consultant also brought the scale to the monthly breastfeeding support groups at the hospital so anyone could use it. Check with your local support groups if you're interested! :)

Click, here, for the scale I purchased on Amazon. A couple years later I'm still using it - but mainly to weigh and ship nursing tops, lol! 

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