Wet Diapers in the First Week of Life
Breastfeeding moms are often more concerned about wet diapers than moms who bottle-feed. It’s easier to tell that the baby is getting enough to eat when you’re giving a bottle. When you’re breastfeeding, however, it can be a little more difficult—especially in the first few days while your supply of breast milk is increasing. Counting wet diapers is a great way to help you feel more confident that your baby is getting what they need. Here’s how many wet diapers to expect during the first week for babies who breastfeed and those who take a bottle.
Breastfed Infants
The number of wet (urine) diapers a breastfed baby has each day changes during the first week of life. During the first few days, your newborn may not receive much breast milk so they won’t have many wet diapers. Then, as the days go on and your supply of breast milk increases, your baby will produce more urine and have more wet diapers. Here’s what to expect:
Day 1: A newborn baby will pass urine for the first time within 12 to 24 hours of birth. During the early hours and days of life, an exclusively breastfed baby may not have many wet diapers.Day 2: You should look for at least two wet diapers a day until your breasts begin to fill with milk by the third or fourth day postpartum; as your milk supply increases, so will the wet diapers.Days 3–5: Your baby should have at least three to five wet diapers.Day 6 and on: Your baby should be having at least six to eight wet diapers every 24 hours but may have more; some babies have a wet diaper at every feeding.
Bottle-Fed Infants
Even if you bottle-feed, your baby may not take much formula or pumped breast milk during the first day or two after birth. The amount of urine that your newborn produces is directly related to the amount of fluid they take in. If your baby is a great eater and takes 2 ounces of formula every three hours right from the beginning, you will see more wet diapers. But, if your newborn is sleepy or not taking in much fluid during the first day or so, they’ll have less wet diapers. Here is a general guide:
Day 1: Your baby should have their first wet diaper by the time they are 12 to 24 hours old.Day 2: You should look for at least two wet diapers a day.Days 3–5: Baby should have at least three to five wet diapers.Day 6 and on: You should expect at least six to eight wet diapers a day.
Urination After the First Week
Whether you’re bottle-feeding or breastfeeding, your newborn should be settling into a feeding pattern and eating well by the second week of life. You should see at least six to eight wet diapers each day, but your child could have up to 10 or more. A newborn’s little bladder holds about one tablespoon (15 mL) of urine, so they may empty it very often. Some newborns will pee up to 20 times in 24 hours, and that’s OK. If your baby is sleeping, you don’t have to wake them up to change a diaper. A change before or after each feeding, approximately every two to three hours, is fine.
How to Check a Diaper for Wetness
Since newborns only make a small amount of urine and disposable diapers are very absorbent, it can be hard to tell if the diapers are wet and your baby is peeing enough. So, here are some ways to make sure your child is wetting the diaper:
After you change your baby, take the diaper apart to check the under layers or gel material for moisture. It’s OK to touch and smell the diaper to check for urine. Place one tissue into your baby’s diaper to absorb the urine and make it easier to see. Pour 1 ounce (2 tablespoons, 30 milliliters) of water into a clean, dry diaper. It will give you a better idea of how a wet diaper looks and feels. Try cloth diapers. You may find it easier to see and feel the wetness in a cloth diaper than in a disposable diaper. Try disposable diapers with a wetness indicator, which is a line or design that changes color when urine is present.
The Color of Newborn Urine
Your baby’s urine should be colorless or light yellow. However, if you’re breastfeeding, you may notice some slight color changes once in a while. Certain foods, food dyes, herbs, and vitamin supplements that you add to your everyday diet could change the color of your breast milk as well as add a tint of green, pink, or orange to your newborn’s urine.
Concentrated Urine
Concentrated urine is very dark yellow. It may also have a strong smell. After your milk comes in, a diaper with concentrated urine now and then is OK. However, if your baby has many diapers with very dark yellow urine, call the doctor.
Brick Dust Urine
Very concentrated urine during the first few days of life can contain urate crystals (uric acid crystals). These urate crystals can cause a pink, red, or orange-colored, powdery stain in your baby’s diaper called brick dust. Concentrated urine and brick dust should go away by the fifth or sixth day when you’re making more breast milk; however, it is a good idea to consult your child’s pediatrician or healthcare provider if you notice this.
Blood in the Diaper
Both boys and girls can have a little blood in their diaper, but for different reasons. Here are two reasons you may notice blood that aren’t serious:
Pseudomenstruation: Baby girls may have blood-tinged vaginal discharge during the first few days of life. It’s called pseudomenstruation, or false menstruation. It is from the hormones in your baby’s body, and it’s not harmful. Circumcision: Baby boys may have a small amount of blood in their diapers after a circumcision. The bleeding from a circumcision usually lasts for a few hours, but you may notice small spots of blood in the diaper for up to a day. After the circumcision, your baby should have a wet diaper within 12 hours.
When to Call Your Baby’s Doctor
When your baby is getting enough fluids, they will have at least six to eight wet diapers a day. But, if your baby is not getting enough, they can become dehydrated. Dehydration in newborns and young infants is dangerous. The doctor will check your child’s health and talk to you about how much and how often your baby is eating. Notify the doctor if:
The baby has fewer than six wet diapers each day after day five.The baby is only making a small amount of very dark yellow, concentrated, smelly urine after day four.The baby is unusually sleepy and difficult to wake.The baby’s mouth and lips are dry.The soft spot on top of the baby’s head is sinking down into their head.Your baby is not feeding well.You see brick dust stains in your newborn’s diaper after the fourth day of life.Acting generally unwell.Excessively tired.Breathing rapidly.
When a Newborn Is Not Urinating
Your child should have at least two wet diapers during the first few days when you’re only making colostrum. But, by the time your baby is six days old, they should have at least six wet diapers a day. If your child is not making enough urine or has no urine at all, call the doctor immediately.
Blood in Newborn Urine
While a little blood in your baby’s diaper from circumcision or pseudomenstruation is OK, blood in your baby’s urine is not. If you see any blood in your little one’s urine or your child is crying and showing signs of painful urination, contact your baby’s doctor right away.
Signs of a Urinary Tract Infection
If bacteria gets into the baby’s urinary tract, it can cause an infection. A urinary tract infection (UTI) can change the amount, color, or smell of your baby’s urine. These are some ways to prevent a UTI:
Change your baby’s diaper often especially after bowel movements.Clean your baby’s diaper area from front to back.Make sure your baby is getting enough breastmilk or formula.Wash your hands before and after changing your baby.
It can be difficult to notice a UTI in babies, but the symptoms to watch for include:
Blood in the urineFeverFrequent urinationPain when peeingSmelly urine
If you see these signs of a UTI, you should call your baby’s doctor for treatment.
A Word From Verywell
Babies are all different. Some breastfeed, and others take a bottle. Some are alert and eat well from the first feeding, and others are sleepy for a few hours or days. These are some of the reasons there’s a wide range of normal when it comes to newborn urination. By understanding the guidelines and monitoring your baby’s wet diapers, it can help you feel more confident that your baby is making enough urine and getting enough fluids. Of course, if you have any questions about the amount, color, or frequency of your baby’s urination, you should call the doctor. The staff at your doctor’s office is there to help.
