Breastfeeding Chart

Making a breastfeeding chart is an excellent way to keep track of the many different essentials of nursing. Most lactation consultants recommend keeping track of your baby’s wet and dirty diapers for at least the first two weeks to ensure he’s getting enough milk. Using a breastfeeding chart is a simple way to do that and more.

Since what comes out (wet/dirty diapers) must have gone in, this is a commonly used tool to gauge whether baby is getting plenty of milk. Many moms cannot tell if their milk is letting down and do not always hear baby sucking and swallowing at the breast. A breastfeeding chart can provide some peace of mind for a new mom worried about her supply.

You can also write down what time you nursed, which side you started/stopped on and any other information related to nursing your baby. It’s much easier than relying on your sleep deprived, new mommy brain to remember the details. A quick glance at the chart and you’re back on track.

Another fantastic tool for a nursing mom is to familiarize herself with the normal growth rate of breastfed babies. The weight chart that most pediatricians have is for formula fed babies. Breastfed babies tend to grow more quickly for the first 3 months then a little more slowly than their formula fed peers. Below there is a link to a growth chart for breastfeeding babies that will prove helpful.

Downloadable/printable breastfeeding charts:

Family Education’s breastfeeding chart
Woman’s Org breastfeeding chart

Kellymom breastfeeding baby growth chart

Tags: milk supply