September 2026
Many new parents worry about whether their baby is getting enough to eat, especially in the first days after birth.
According to Maureen Andersen, a certified nurse midwife at Providence Mother and Baby Clinic — Providence Portland Medical Center, a newborn's feeding needs change quickly during the first week of life as their stomach grows from about the size of a cherry to the size of a ping pong ball.
"It's kind of on vibes in the first few days, which is really, really hard for new parents and for practitioners. Getting enough is such a good question because enough changes over the first few days,” Maureen says.
Providers look at several factors, including how often a baby feeds, how long they spend nursing or taking a bottle, and how much they consume. One of the most important clues is diaper output.
"Because since babies don't like to tell us how they're feeling so much, we're looking at what's coming out the bottom to see if they're getting enough on the top," Maureen says.
Tracking daily diaper usage can help parents determine whether their baby is feeding well and getting enough milk.
See Maureen's video on Instagram
