Breast Pumps

What is the range of “normal” when it comes to breastfeeding?

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

DO BOYS AND GIRLS DRINK THE SAME?

Back to top

Boys:
Boys do drink more than girls. Boy infants drink on average 78ml more than girl infants
831ml – Average daily amount
Girls:
755ml – Average daily amount
Breastfed infants are indeed getting enough milk.  As infants get older, they take fewer, shorter, larger feeds but their 24 hour (daily) intake will remain the same.
478 – 1356ml
is the range of daily milk intake of exclusively breastfed infants who are growing according to the WHO charts.
Between 3 and 6 months infants grow more slowly and have a relatively lower metabolic rate, so they don’t need more milk.

BREAST MASSAGE OPTIMISES MILK FLOW

Back to top
If the breast becomes very tense and the baby simply cannot latch on, massaging the breast and then expressing milk by hand, or carefully with a breastpump, may bring relief.
Breast massage helps prevent engorgement and possible mastitis, as well as improving the milk flow.

 

TIPS TO TELL WHETHER YOUR BABY IS GETTING ENOUGH BREAST MILK:

Back to top
  • Starting four days after the birth, your baby gains at least 120 to 210 grams a week.
  • Once milk production has stabilised after ‘coming in’, you should use five or six nappies per 24 hours.
  • During the first few months, your baby has at least two to fi ve bowel movements every 24 hours. After about six weeks some babies may have fewer, but more intensive, bowel movements.
  • On average, your baby drinks from your breast six to ten times every 24 hours and swallows audibly.
  • Your baby is attentive, looks healthy, has taut skin and grows in length and head circumference

OPTIMISING MILK REMOVAL

Back to top
Reaching an adequate milk production is a journey that requires mothers to initiate, build and maintain their lactation. A mother’s milk supply will increase during the first month of this journey



Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

For more health information

Click on the body area you want to know more about. Select a related health topic from the menu

Select a body area
Head
Chest
Abdomen
Pelvis
Legs
Feet
Mental Health
Skin
General
Infant Health
Restlessness and Teething in Babies
Restlessness and Teething in Babies
Although deemed as ‘normal’, teething may be accompanied by a fever, irritability, diarrhoea and poor sleep; amongst other things. Was this ....
Flu
Flu
There has been a steady increase in the number of flu cases reported recently. This is unusual because the flu season usually runs from March to ....
Diarrhoea
Diarrhoea
When is a runny tummy actually diarrhoea, and when to use an antidiarrhoeal? Was this helpful? Submit Cancel Thanks for your feedback! Was this ....
Sinus
Sinus
Sinuses are spaces in the bones of your cheeks, your forehead and your nose. Was this helpful? Submit Cancel Thanks for your feedback! Was this ....
Measles, Mumps and Rubella – MMR
Measles, Mumps and Rubella – MMR
Measles, Mumps and Rubella can be highly infectious diseases1 and can spread through droplets of saliva, inhaled or picked up from surfaces and ....