When you have a newborn, keeping track of everything can be overwhelming. One of the ways you can help take the pressure off your memory is to record your baby's feeding times and length on each side in a breastfeeding log.
The advantages to using a breastfeeding log are many, but here are our top three:
If there are any problems with weight gain, looking at the breastfeeding log may give your baby's pediatrician an idea of why. It may also help your doctor figure out if you have a supply issue or if the baby may have a problem with latching based on mood patterns.
When you're a new mom, it's hard to know what's normal and what's not. So, to give you some basic guidelines, breastfed babies (on average) feed 20 minutes to an hour eight to 12 times in a 24-hour period. Don't panic if your baby breaks this mold — each baby's needs are different — but this amount shouldn't be too far from accurate.
FREE Printable Breastfeeding Log
If you'd rather keep track of feedings on your phone, you can also use an app to log your info. Some popular breastfeeding apps include: