Baby feeding log

In the early days, a simple feeding log takes the guesswork out of those bleary nights and helps you spot that your baby is feeding well and thriving. You don't need to track forever, most families find the first two to three weeks the most reassuring, then naturally let it go as feeding settles.

Newborns feed little and often: roughly 8 or more times in 24 hours if breastfeeding, including through the night. Rather than watching the clock, watch your baby for early hunger cues, stirring, rooting, hands to mouth, sucking sounds, and feed responsively. Crying is a late sign, so you don't need to wait for it.

Nappies are one of the best signs that enough is going in. As a rough guide, expect at least the same number of wet nappies as your baby's age in days for the first week (1 on day one, building up), then 6 or more heavy wet nappies a day. Poo should change from sticky black meconium to green, then to soft yellow by around day four or five.

Keep an eye on baby's colour in good daylight. A healthy, well baby looks well-perfused, to check, press a fingertip on the chest or sole and the colour should return quickly. On brown and Black skin, jaundice and signs of being unwell are easiest to see in the whites of the eyes, the gums, lips, palms and soles rather than the face. If baby is feeding poorly, very sleepy and hard to wake, has fewer wet nappies, or looks more yellow, call your midwife or health visitor the same day.

This is a placeholder log for the Bump Circle team and will be reviewed by our midwife, Dumebi, before launch.