Heather, 

When visiting a mom whose baby is borderline, but I'm following closely, I
have been known to take a dry diaper and put 3 tablespoons of water in it,
then close it tightly - and ask the mom to keep it in the baby's changing
area so she can compare it to the diaper she is removing (for a day- after
that it has evaporated).  This gives them a measure for what a wet diaper
should feel like.  Usually the first time she feels it, she agrees her baby
has NOT been wetting diapers that well - but by the time we get things going
- she feels confident that she can recognize a wet diaper.

I agree that stools are important (I tell moms 2 x the palm of their
hands)...

But NEITHER is as important as breastfeeding OBSERVATIONS followed by
appropriate interventions (including education about breast compressions,
pumping after feeds and/or supplementation) and REPEATED weight checks until
it is clear they are in synch. 

Jeanette Panchula, BSW, RN, PHN,IBCLC
California USA

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