- A team of engineers, neonatologists, and pediatricians at Northwestern University has developed a wearable device that helps parents measure their baby’s milk supply.
- This device may help relieve stress and anxiety about whether your baby is eating enough.
- Until the device is released, there are several other ways to make sure your baby gets enough nutrition.
Breastfeeding provides countless benefits for mothers and babies, but one aspect of breastfeeding causes a lot of stress for many parents. I mean, who doesn’t worry that their baby isn’t getting enough breast milk?
There are ways to determine whether a baby is receiving adequate nutrition, such as counting diaper output, but researchers at Northwestern University thought there needed to be an easier, more modern way. So they developed a device that uses sensors to accurately measure how much breast milk a baby is drinking.
photograph:
northwestern university
How the device works
It is important to note that the sensor is not available at this time, but the hope is that this technology will be at the disposal of new parents within the next few years.
Lead researcher Daniel Robinson, MD, MSc, associate professor of pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, explains: parents The device is designed to help medical professionals manage the nutritional needs of preterm and sick infants in the NICU. Their goal is also to reduce stress for breastfeeding parents and avoid the hassle of weighing infants before and after feeding.
“The mother places a wireless sensor on her breast,” Robinson explains of the device’s functionality. “Technically, the sensor is measuring the change in bioimpedance as the infant expresses milk from the breast. As milk is expressed and the breast tissue changes, the signal changes.”
That information is then sent to your smartphone via Bluetooth, allowing parents to track their baby’s milk intake.
Practical ways to make sure your baby is drinking enough milk
Avery McCoy, IBCLC at SimpliFed, wants new parents to remember that their bodies are designed to breastfeed efficiently, unless you’re a tech geek or might run into technical difficulties (raises hand in horror) until the device works.
That said, McCoy emphasizes, “It’s normal to wonder if your baby is getting enough to eat.”
“While these concerns are valid, take a deep breath and trust your body and its ability to nourish your baby,” she advises new parents.
Rather than focusing on finding accurate measurements of breast milk intake, McCoy says parents should look for signs that breastfeeding is successful.
Signs of a successful breastfeeding routine include:
- Your newborn is breastfeeding frequently. Newborn babies nurse at least eight to 10 times in a 24-hour period, McCoy said.
- The baby is making wet and dirty diapers. “From 3 days old until 1 month old, babies should have at least six wet diapers and three soiled diapers a day,” says McCoy. “These numbers indicate that your baby is well hydrated and getting the nutrition he needs.”
- Your baby will continue to grow and grow rapidly. This is an important sign that your baby is getting the nutrition he needs.
- Your baby’s head circumference, height, and weight are steadily increasing. These trends are measured during the baby’s well visit.
McCoy recommends new parents nourish their babies and support their bodies to follow their baby’s lead when they show hunger cues. If you have concerns, remember to relax and talk to your lactation specialist or your child’s pediatrician.
