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Nursing a baby is a usually a whole lot, and can be especially tasking, if it is your first time as a mom. You keep uncovering layers of information that you never thought existed about your little one. Unless you have nursed a baby before, you just have to sit up and take every strange discovery you make about it in stride.
One of the surprising things about babies is that they can get milk drunk. Now, this is not an ambiguous term. When a baby is milk drunk, it simply means s/he has had much more food and is so happy that s/he faints in your arms, flashes a smile, and has meager drops of milk dripping down their radiant tiny cheeks.
A milk drunk baby is usually a sight almost every parent craves. Parents take pictures of their baby when they get milk drunk, and crack jokes with it when they are in the midst of friends. It’s all fun, usually. But beyond all these, as a parent, there are many more things that you should know about your baby getting milk drunk.
And guess what? We are here for this. We have bothered ourselves about this, so you do not have to. Just you read on!
What Does It Mean When A Baby Is Milk Drunk?
Being milk drunk is simply your baby’s reaction immediately after getting a good feed. After a thoroughly sufficient feed, your baby tends to be relaxed and signify a message of satisfaction through her body language.
A state in which a baby’s physical and mental systems are affected by excessive breast milk is another instance of a baby getting milk drunk. This usually happens following a good feeding session.
How Do I Know If My Milk is Satisfying My Baby?
As you cannot see the amount of milk your baby gets while breastfeeding, it is possible for you to be worried s/he is not getting enough milk. It is normal. Just believe your body and baby to adjust.
The moment your milk begins to flow, chances are that you will notice a decline in your baby’s rhythm. And while some mothers can clearly sense their baby gulping down the milk, others may not. But by looking out for cues from your baby, you will know when she has had enough food.
There is no fixed amount of milk for babies. A handful of babies can take between one to three sittings at the breast before they are done.
Should Baby Be Milk Drunk After Feed?
Not necessarily. Milk drunk is not a rule in nursing babies. It is simply the state your baby finds herself immediately after a good, huge meal. It is not bound to happen all the time. So, whether your baby gets milk drunk or not, the key is to always ensure s/he has a good feed, every now and then.
Why Do Breastfed Babies Get Milk Drunk?
If you are a first time mom, watching your little one is an activity you can do without dissipating any effort. And oh, we understand how bliss the sight of a milk-drunk baby is!
As great sight as a milk-drunk baby is, it is possible that, at times, you get curious as to why this actually happens. And we are here to satisfy that curiosity, albeit in a soft way. Your breastfed baby gets milk drunk because s/he has a belly full of milk.
Do Formula Fed Babies Get Milk Drunk?
Yes, formula-fed babies get milk-drunk. But as much as they do, there comes a time when they should eventually stop getting milk drunk. We are mentioning this just so when the time comes when she eventually stops getting milk drunk, you do not have to worry.
Signs That Baby Is Well-Fed
- Baby nurses per time, 8-12 times per day
- Baby appears satisfied and happy after a feed
- Baby lets go of the breast on their own
- Baby gains weight. The expected weight gain is about 155-240 grams or 5.5-8.5 ounces per week until four months of age
- Baby has seasons of apparent gulping milk during nursing sessions. This is the period where your baby starts getting bigger mouthfuls of milk, as you are having a letdown. Your baby’s rapid sucking stimulating the letdown declines to one suck per second during these times, as bigger quantities of milk fill their mouths prior to swallowing. And watching for their throats will unveil the rise and fall that comes with swallowing.
- Baby’s stool changes to yellow with a loose and seedy feel by the fifth day. On the baby’s fourth day of life, three to four stools are expected on a daily basis.
- Daily increase in baby’s urine. So frequency of wet diapers is a key way to know if your baby is feeding well.
- Baby is alert and smart when awake.
- Baby is meeting their growth milestones
Signs That Baby Might Not Be Well-Fed
- Baby appears quite sleepy and lethargic. Low energy is the usual index of an under-fed baby. Babies in this category will sleep for more than four hours.
- Baby takes little or much time with the breast. An under-fed baby tends to fall asleep quite shortly after feeding starts, and may also take longer than 30-40 minutes per feed
- Latching becomes uncomfortable or shallow. An inadequate latch has the potential to prevent baby from obtaining enough milk.
- Baby has not recovered their birth weight after ten to fourteen days.
- Weight gain is slower than normal. 155-240 grams or 5.5-8.5 ounces per week is the norm
- Infrequent stools
Babies Getting Milk Drunk – The Verdict
Babies getting milk drunk is a beautiful sight that everyone likes to behold, no doubt. It is one of the many wonderful moments of child nursing. And here is what being milk drunk means – your baby-stepping into a state of satisfaction immediately after a huge, great meal. In this content, we have answered questions regarding babies getting milk drunk and more. Enjoy!
