Should you need urgent health advice please contact your GP or call NHS 111. In an emergency please visit A&E or call 999

South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust is responsible for the writing, publishing and updating of the content on this page.

You're viewing the site locally in: Warwickshire

How will I know if my baby is getting enough?

Breastfeeding is going well if:

  • Your baby has 8 feeds or more in 24 hours
  • Your baby feeds between 5-40 minutes each feed
  • Your baby’s skin colour is normal
  • Your baby is generally calm and relaxed whilst feeding and content after most feeds
  • Your baby has wet and dirty nappies
  • Breastfeeding is comfortable
  • When your baby is 3-4 days old and beyond you should be able to hear your baby swallowing during a feed

Talk to your midwife or health visitor if:

  • Your baby is sleepy and has less than 6 feeds in 24 hours
  • Your baby consistently feeds for less than 5 minutes each feed or more than 40 minutes per feed
  • Your baby consistently falls asleep on the breast and does not complete their feed
  • Your baby appears jaundice (a yellow discolouration of the skin)
  • Your baby comes off the breast frequently during a feed or refuses to breastfeed
  • Your baby is not having wet or dirty nappies
  • You have pain in your breast or nipples which does not disappear after the first few sucks
  • Your nipple comes out of the baby’s mouth looking flattened or pinched on one side
  • You cannot tell if your baby is swallowing after 3-4 days or beyond
  • You feel your baby needs a dummy
  • You feel the need to give your baby formula milk

 

ChatHealth Logo

South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust runs a confidential secure text messaging service for parents of children aged 0-5 years called ChatHealth. The service operates Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm, excluding bank holidays. All texts will be responded to by a health visitor within 24 hours. Outside of the service working hours, you’ll receive a message back to inform you that your text will be responded to once the service reopens.

  • Warwickshire Health Visiting Service:

    text

    07520 615293
  • For contact phone numbers navigate to:

    the services tab then 'Your health visiting service'.

Should you require urgent health advice in the meantime, please contact your GP, visit an NHS walk-in centre or call NHS 111. For emergencies, dial 999 or visit A&E.

This page was last reviewed on 07-10-2021

This page will be next reviewed on 07-10-2024