Whether we're talking about number of diapers or number of feeds, I
always try to emphasize that these are what we see in the average
baby.  For example if we say newborns AVERAGE 8-12 feeds in 24
hours, that means that sometimes it will be less, sometimes more.
With any averages, there are always "outliers".  If a mom reports
her baby is consistently eating more or fewer times than that, it
wouldn't hurt to take a look at the baby and the feedings.  Since
"most" babies fall within those averages, it doesn't hurt to be sure
one who consistently eats more or less is doing so because it's
simply that baby's normal pattern and not because baby can't reach
satiation or is too tired to eat enough.  Same thing with
stooling/voiding.  I tell a mom if the numbers are lower that the
averages we mention and increased feeding doesn't increase the
diapers (or baby won't eat more) that a quick weight check will
distinguish between a baby warning us (s)he's not getting enough and
the thriving baby that just doesn't "put out" as often.
In other words, we are helping the mom recognize the "yellow lights"
that in some babies can indicate a problem, but for some it can be
normal, so to get further assessment, not to assume there is
automatically a problem.
We need to use approaches that empower the mom and encourage her to
listen to and follow her instincts.  In some cases that means she
needs some number guidelines at the beginning, especially if she
hasn't had much exposure to a variety of normal babies or has only
had exposure to babies that have severe problems (that exposure
includes horror stories in the media)
Winnie Mading RNC, IBCLC

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