Becoming a new parent is often a mixture of excitement, uncertainty, and fatigue.  Parents who are breastfeeding often wonder “How do I know my baby is eating enough?”  The first few days after a baby is born, the breasts feel and look similar to how they did before the baby was born.  The baby is drinking the first milk, colostrum, which is thicker and in smaller quantities.  It is often clear or yellow colored.  The baby gets to practice sucking, swallowing, and breathing while eating the small amounts of colostrum.  Often, on the second night of the baby’s life, they will eat very frequently throughout the night.  All the time feeding at the breast sends signals to the parent’s brain to help drive more milk production.  Around 3 to 5 days after birth, the parent’s breasts begin to feel heavier and fuller as the volume of milk the body produces starts to increase.  The baby should eat at least 8 times every 24 hour period, though most babies eat 10-12 (or more!) times per 24 hours.  It is normal for a newborn to take about 30 minutes to complete a feeding.  In the first few weeks, it can be helpful for parents to track how often a baby is eating as well as the number of pees and poops baby has each day.  The baby’s pediatrician will monitor the baby’s weight as well.  If breastfeeding is going well once the baby is back to birth weight by about 2 weeks old, most parents can stop the tracking of feeds and pees/poops. Many new parents struggle to get a comfortable latch at the breast, have damaged nipples, or have a baby who is sleepy at the breast.  If a parent is experiencing any challenges feeding their baby (and the majority of parents do!), an in-home lactation consultation can help.   If you live in Louisville, Boulder, Gunbarrel, Niwot, Lafayette, Broomfield, Superior, and Westminster, RK Lactation Care can schedule a lactation consultation in the comfort of your home.  Appointments are generally scheduled Monday-Friday between 9 AM and 5 PM, however, early evening or weekend appointments may be available if needed. The lactation consultant will assess parent and baby, listen to the family’s needs and goals, and develop an individualized plan with the family to help them meet their goals.