Tracking Baby Feedings and Diaper Changes
If you’re a mom, you know the importance of keeping track of your baby’s feedings and diaper changes. But sometimes it can be hard to remember when everything happened admits all the chaos. That’s where feeding and diaper change logs come in handy! These logs can help you keep track of how often your baby is eating and pooping, as well as when they last had a diaper change.
How to track your baby feedings and diapers?
Tracking your baby’s eating and diaper habits is simple. You can use a notebook, your phone, or even a this done-for-you printable. Be sure to include the date, time, and duration of each feeding or diaper change. You may also want to note any other information that you find helpful, such as whether your baby was fussy or slept through the night.
Why is it important to track your baby feedings and diapers?
This information can be helpful for tracking your baby’s development and seeing patterns. Plus, it can be helpful for your doctor if there are any concerns about your baby’s health. So if you’re looking for a way to keep track of your little one’s every move, consider using our feeding and diaper change log!
DIAPERS
A diaper log is helpful in understanding your baby’s elimination habits. It can help you figure out if your baby is constipated or has diarrhea. Diaper logs can also be helpful in tracking milestones such as when your baby first starts solid foods.
Diaper Tracking Tips
Some things to pay attention to when changing your brand new baby’s diaper for the first time are:
1. How often they are wetting their diaper
This will give you a good idea of how much they are drinking.
2. The color of their stool
Stools should be soft and a yellow/brown color. If they are hard or very dark then this could be a sign of dehydration.
3. The consistency of their stool
If it is watery or has mucus then this could be a sign of diarrhea.
4. If they are straining or seem uncomfortable
This could be a sign of constipation.
5. Any blood or rash
Blood in the stool can be a sign of an infection. A rash could be a sign of an allergic reaction or sensitivity to a new food.
You should expect to change diapers frequently. Diaper guidelines suggest that you should see at least six to eight wet diapers a day and three to four soiled diapers a day by the time your baby is three or four days old. After that, you should see at least three wet diapers and two to three soiled diapers a day. If your baby is exclusively breastfed, you may not see a soiled diaper every day. This is because breast milk is more easily digested than formula. Totally normal.
What should my baby’s poop look like?
The first few times you change your baby’s diaper, it may be filled with a thick, black substance called meconium. Meconium is made up of everything your baby swallowed while in the womb, and it’s perfectly normal. After the first day or two, your baby’s poop will turn green or yellow and be more runny.
A baby’s poop will look different depending on whether they are breastfed or formula fed. As your baby starts to eat solid foods, their poop will become more solid.
If your baby is exclusively breastfed
- Their poop will be yellow or green and runny. It may also be seedy. This is because breast milk is more easily digested than formula.
If your baby is formula fed
- Their poop will be tan or brown and thicker. It may also be lumpy.
Texture and Color
The texture and color of your baby’s poop can also give you clues about their health. For example, green poop can be a sign that your baby is eating too much leafy greens. Black or very dark stool can be a sign of bleeding in the digestive tract. Blood in the stool can also make it appear red. If you see any of these changes in your baby’s poop, be sure to talk to your doctor.
FEEDING
It is important to track your little one’s feeding habits so that you can ensure they are getting enough to eat. Babies have tiny tummies and need to eat often. Newborns should be fed every two to three hours, or on demand if they are hungry. You will want to track the time of each feeding, as well as how long your baby eats for and how much they eat. This information can be helpful in understanding your baby’s hunger cues and establishing a good feeding routine.
Breastfeeding:
- Track the date, time, and length of each feeding.
- Note how your baby acts during and after feedings (satisfied, fussy, etc).
- Keep track of which breast you start with for each feeding.
- Note if you need to supplement with formula or pumped milk.
- Make a note of anything unusual (leaking, soreness, etc).
Pumping:
- Track the date, time, and length of each pumping session.
- Note how much milk you were able to pump. Did you feed your baby right after pumping or did you store the milk?
- Keep track of which breast you pumped from first.
- Make a note of anything unusual (leaking, soreness, etc).
- If you are storing milk, be sure to label it with the date and time it was pumped. Check out our Breastmilk Storage Guide or Pumping Tips for more tips and tricks.
Bottle Feeding:
- Track the date, time, and amount of each feeding.
- Note how your baby acts during and after feedings (satisfied, fussy, etc).
- Make a note of anything unusual (spitting up, gas, etc).
- If you are using formula, be sure to track the type and amount you are using.
- Look into Paced Feeding.
Solid Foods:
- Track the date, time, and type of food offered.
- Note how much your baby ate and how they tolerated the food (diaper rash, gassy, etc).
- Make a note of anything unusual (choking, vomiting, etc).
GRAB YOUR PRINTABLE NOW.
Logging your baby’s eating and diaper habits can be tedious, but it is worth it. The information you gain will be invaluable in understanding your baby’s needs and ensuring their health and well-being.
If you’re anything like me, you’re probably wondering how on earth you’re going to keep track of all this information. (Not to mention all the other things I have to remember like when my baby’s last doctor’s appointment was and what time her bedtime is supposed to be.) But don’t worry – this printable Daily Baby Planner log can help make tracking your little one a breeze. Go ahead and download it today so you can start to track your baby feedings and diapers, and get ready for some peace of mind.
How do you keep track of your baby’s habits? Share them in the comments below! Happy parenting!
