Infant Developmental Milestones

Is your baby meeting his/her infant developmental milestones? This article will discuss as related to a breastfed infant.

What is normal newborn behavior?A healthy TERM infant will:

  • Sleep 20-22 hours a day
  • Breastfeed every 1-3 hours
  • Day 1- poop once and urinate onceDay 2- poop twice and urinate twiceDay 3 on - have a minimum of 6 wet or dirty diaper changes per 24 hours.
  • will hiccup, sneeze, burp, pass gas
  • will cry when tired, hungry, needs diaper changed, over-stimulated or may cry for no reason at all: totally normal.
  • they have many reflexes: rooting, startle, sucking to name a few
  • newborns can see and hear
  • they can have irregular breathing at the beginning
  • most newborns lose around 10% of their birth weight, this amount can be MUCH higher if mom recieved IV fluids during labor

Many times moms are recommended to start supplementing with formula in the first few weeks because care givers are not referencing a breastfeeding growth chart, nor are they taking into consideration babies being "artificially heavy" at birth due to IV fluids being administered during labor.Nonetheless, it is important to advocate for yourself to keep breastmilk as the primary source of nutrition whenever possible.

I recommend my clients keep a WHO (world health organization) breastfeeding growth chart with them at all doctors appointments.

Here are the breastfeeding growth charts for you to download The WHO recommmends that doctors use the appropriate chart to how the baby is feeding but wouldnt you know that formula companies provide FREE formula based growth charts to doctors offices and these are the ones usually used.

Looking for a Motor Development Chart: here is one from WHO Here is an awesome book that outlines what to expect the first few years:

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