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Is Frequent Urination In A Child A Sign Of Inadequate Breastfeeding?

Posted on Mon, 27 Nov 2017

Question: hello, my daughter is 45days old still my breastmilk is less. tried exclusive breastfeed for one day she had more than 10 wet cotton nappies, she passes urine immediately after my feed. but she is not getting satisfied seems her stomach is not getting full as she doesn't wanna come out of breast even after 30mins on feed. she wont sleep and cries alot , so we will feed her formula then she sleeps. in evenings she cries a lot even after formula feed, tries cuddling her, interacting, playing still she cries between 4pm to 9pm. is my breastmilk is low? please suggest.

Answered by Dr. Arun (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
It is colic pain

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for writing to us.
Don't worry
The very fact that she passes urine that much indicates that breastfeeding is adequate.
There are two possibilities why she is still crying and continues to feed after 30 min.
1. lack of hindmilk. If you do not empty one breast before switching to other breast, baby will not get hindmilk ( fat rich ). Hindmilk satisfies hunger and calorie demand. So always empty one side before switching.
2. Colic pain. Babies tend to cry a lot because of swallowed air, colic pain, lack of lactase enzyme to digest milk.
Try burping after each feed , try pain relievers like colic aid drops .
If nothing works,
Lactase enzyme replacement is also available .
It is usually mixed in feeds and given in small doses like few drops 4 times daily.
Consult your doctor for prescription.

Wishing your baby good health.
Regards
Dr Arun

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Arun (24 minutes later)

thanks for the reply.. how should i know whether the breast is empty or not. we burp after every feed for 10mins.. if she slept she will not beltch, still need to burp? if it is colic pain why she showing the symptoms of hunger like licking her hands, showing interest to breastfeed. if i offer breast she is calm. thinking hunger and offering her formula milk and then sleeps after that. unable to understand. i dont feel my breasts heavy and no leakage, with breastpump i can express only 30 to 50ml. is urine output is enough to understand the adequate milk supply?

Answered by Dr. Arun (22 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Weight gain is also an indiactor

Detailed Answer:
1. Even if slept , try burping . If no air belches then you can lay the baby flat.
2. Weight gain if more than a kilogram since birth till now is also an indicator for adequate breastfeeding
3. Even babies with colic pain calm down with feeding sometimes as it is their only pleasure .
4. Try expressing milk from the breast after feeding , if very little or none comes out , then it means your breast is emptied ( hindmilk has gone to the baby ).
5. Avoid formula feeding as it causes more harm ( infections, less interest in breastfeeding).
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Arun (11 minutes later)

how long i can feed her? what is the frequency. she never sleeps and keeps crying, with formula feed she is calming down.

Answered by Dr. Arun (32 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Feed upto 30 minutes. Frequency will vary

Detailed Answer:
Generally feeding more than 30 minutes should be ok at a time.
Next time start from same breast and switch to otherside after you feel empty and confirm as said before.
Frequency can vary as per demands. Dont wait till baby cries for feed. Every 2 to 3 hours once baby is awake and playful start feeding before baby cries.

Some days growthrate will be more and the demand will be more too. Somedays it will be less.

Giving formula occasionally is fine if nothing works . But keep its use to a minimum , say once or twice a day .
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Arun (1 hour later)

okay thank you. trying to decrease as much we can. what to do if she demands for every 30mins

Answered by Dr. Arun (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Feed and take rest with your baby

Detailed Answer:
I understand it will be difficult to feed every 30 minutes. Try feeding as much as possible.
As baby grows it will improve.
Try taking your rest and sleep along with baby.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Arun (2 hours later)

is breasts able to produce milk in 30mins? i dont want the baby to struggle with dry suck

Answered by Dr. Arun (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Definitely

Detailed Answer:
Nature has given enough support to even breastfed 2 babies. You need not worry about the capacity to produce milk. Infact , if baby sucks more time, milk production will increase. This happens with help of oxytocin and prolactin hormones which increase with sucking.
Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad