What should a nurse ask a mother to assess if her infant is receiving enough milk while breastfeeding?

Counting wet diapers is a highly effective way to assess if an infant is receiving enough milk while breastfeeding. Infants typically produce a certain number of wet diapers each day when they are adequately hydrated and fed. The expected range of six to ten wet diapers daily indicates that the infant is taking in enough breast milk, ensuring proper hydration and nutrition. This method is practical for parents and healthcare providers to track without the need for complex measures, as it provides a clear indicator of the baby’s intake and hydration status.

Monitoring daily weight gain is also important; however, it is less immediate compared to observing wet diapers. Weight gain can vary day to day and may not be as readily observable for the mother right after feeding. On the other hand, counting the number of swallows during a feeding can be difficult and subjective, making it less reliable for assessing volume intake. Pumping the breasts to measure milk can provide insight into milk supply but does not accurately reflect the infant’s consumption during breastfeeding. Instead, the wet diaper count aligns with standard practices and offers direct feedback on the infant’s feeding adequacy.