Signs Your Baby Is Underfed

Ensuring your baby receives adequate nutrition is crucial for their growth and development. Recognising the signs your baby is underfed can help you address potential issues promptly. Here’s what you need to know about determining if your baby is underfed and how to address it.

Determining if Your Baby is Underweight

Determining if your baby is underweight involves more than just visual assessment. Healthcare professionals commonly use two key methods to evaluate a baby’s weight status:

• Weight-to-Length Standard Deviation Scores (SDS): This method compares your baby’s weight to its length, providing a standardised score that indicates how your baby compares to a reference population.
• Body Mass Index (BMI) for Age: BMI is calculated by dividing weight by length squared and is then compared to age-specific percentiles to assess whether your baby falls within a healthy range.

If you’re uncertain about your baby’s weight status, consulting these measures can provide clarity. It’s important to distinguish between a baby who is naturally lean due to genetics and one who is underfed. A genetically lean baby may be active, alert, and meeting developmental milestones, whereas an underfed baby might exhibit signs such as lethargy or persistent hunger. Understanding this distinction is crucial, as it guides the appropriate course of action to support your baby’s health.

Signs Your Baby Is Underfed

Here are key indicators to watch for if you suspect your baby is not getting enough nourishment:

1. Lethargy

A baby who is consistently sleepy or lethargic may not be receiving sufficient nutrition. Adequate intake of nutrients, including proteins and vitamins, is essential for energy and growth. Persistent underfeeding can lead to decreased energy levels, affecting your baby’s ability to reach developmental milestones such as sitting up, crawling, and walking.

2. Persistent Hunger Cues

If your baby frequently exhibits hunger cues—such as rooting (turning their head toward food), opening their mouth when their cheek is touched, or putting their hands in their mouth—they may not be getting enough to eat. Clenched fists during feeding can also indicate hunger. Paying attention to these signals can help ensure your baby is adequately fed.

3. Weight Loss or Poor Weight Gain

It’s normal for newborns to lose about 5-10% of their birth weight in the first few days after birth, typically regaining it within two weeks. However, if your baby continues to lose weight or gains weight slowly beyond this period, it may indicate underfeeding. By six months, babies are generally expected to double their birth weight. If your baby hasn’t reached this milestone, consult your paediatrician.

4. Decreased Diaper Output

Adequate diaper output is a good indicator of proper feeding. By the fifth day after birth, your baby should have at least six wet diapers and three to four yellow, seedy stools per day. Fewer wet or soiled diapers can be a sign of insufficient milk intake.

5. Signs of Dehydration

Indicators of dehydration include a dry mouth, sunken eyes, a sunken soft spot on the head (fontanel), and decreased skin elasticity. If you observe these signs, it’s essential to seek medical attention promptly.

Tips to Ensure Adequate Feeding

• Monitor Feeding Frequency and Duration: Newborns typically feed 8-12 times in 24 hours. Allow your baby to feed until they naturally unlatch, indicating fullness.
• Ensure Proper Latch: A good latch ensures efficient milk transfer. Signs of a proper latch include a wide mouth opening, lips flanged outward, and the chin touching the breast. If feeding is painful or your baby seems unsatisfied, consult a lactation specialist.
• Consult Professionals: If concerns about underfeeding persist, seek guidance from a paediatrician or lactation consultant to develop an appropriate feeding plan.

Supporting Your Postpartum Journey with ReLacto

At ReLacto, we understand how crucial proper nutrition is for both you and your baby, especially during the postpartum period. If you’re looking for a solution to ensure your body recovers well while supporting your baby’s needs, our confinement meal service offers the perfect balance.

Here’s why ReLacto is trusted by breastfeeding mothers:

• Supports Lactation and Boosts Recovery: Our specially crafted meals are designed to enhance milk production while aiding your body’s recovery post-delivery.
• Well-Balanced Diet: Each meal is packed with essential nutrients to ensure you receive a complete and balanced diet tailored for postpartum mothers.
• Over 100 Fusion and Chinese Dishes: Say goodbye to repetitive meals! Our extensive menu offers a wide variety of flavorful fusion and traditional Chinese dishes to keep your taste buds satisfied.
• Daily Lactation Drink Variety: Every meal comes with a carefully curated lactation drink to further support your milk supply while keeping you refreshed.
• Lunch & Dinner Delivery: Enjoy freshly prepared meals delivered right to your doorstep, ensuring convenience and consistent nourishment during your busy postpartum days.

By choosing ReLacto, you’re not just selecting a meal service—you’re investing in your health, recovery, and the well-being of your baby. Visit our website to explore our meal packages and find the perfect plan tailored to your postpartum needs.

Conclusion

Recognising the signs of underfeeding in your baby is essential for ensuring their health and development. By observing their behaviour, monitoring weight gain, and keeping track of diaper output, you can gauge whether your baby is receiving adequate nourishment. While some signs may naturally occur during growth spurts or transitional phases, persistent symptoms should prompt you to seek professional advice. Remember, every baby is unique, and their feeding needs may vary. Consulting a paediatrician or lactation consultant can provide valuable guidance tailored to your baby’s specific requirements, giving you peace of mind and ensuring your baby thrives.

Coupled with ReLacto’s thoughtfully designed confinement meals, you can further support your baby’s nutritional needs while prioritising your recovery. Take the next step to ensure a smoother postpartum journey by exploring our offerings today!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the signs that my baby isn’t getting enough milk?

Signs include persistent hunger cues, lethargy, fewer than six wet diapers per day after the first week, and poor weight gain. If your baby exhibits these symptoms, consult your paediatrician.

How can I tell if my baby is well-fed?

A well-fed baby will have regular wet and soiled diapers, appear content after feedings, and show consistent weight gain. They will also be alert and active during awake periods.

What should I do if I think my baby is underfed?

If you suspect underfeeding, consult your paediatrician or a lactation consultant promptly. They can assess your baby’s feeding patterns and provide guidance to ensure adequate nutrition.

How often should I feed my baby, and does the frequency affect their nourishment?

Newborns typically feed every 1 to 3 hours, totalling 8-12 times in 24 hours. Frequent feeding stimulates milk production and ensures your baby receives sufficient nutrition. As your baby grows, the frequency may decrease as they consume more milk per feeding.