You can tell if your baby is getting enough breast milk by looking at the nappies…

Day 1:  0-24 hours old

Babies will have about ½ a teaspoon of colostrum at each feed. You can expect to see:

• Sticky green black poo
• 1+ wet nappy

Day 2:  24-48 hours

Babies will have about 1 teaspoon of colostrum each feed. You can expect to see:

• Soft green-black poo
• 2+ wet nappies

Day 3: 48-72 hours

Breast milk supply is increasing. You can expect to see:

• Greenish-brown, less sticky poo
• 3+ wet nappies

Day 4:  72-96 hours

You can expect to see:

• Poos become lighter greenish-brown or mustard-yellow with a seedy or watery consistency.
• If there are 3 or less poos, check with a health professional as your baby may not be getting enough milk.
• 4+ wet nappies

Day 5: 96+ hours     

Breast milk supply increases to 500-800ml per day. You can expect to see:

• Mostly mustard-yellow, soft or liquid poo 4 or more times every 24 hours.
• 5+ wet nappies

Day 6 onwards:

Expect to see 6-8 clear wet (not strong-smelling or yellow stained) nappies in 24 hours. If using disposable nappies, expect at least 5 heavy, wet nappies every 24 hours. Breastfed babies have about 4 poos in 24 hours until about 6 weeks old. Formula-fed baby’s stools are generally more formed and less frequent. They look like yellow paste or play-doh. Although bowel movements may be less frequent than a breastfed baby, a poo should be passed every day or every second day to avoid constipation.