Printable newborn feeding and nappy log

When a feeding and nappy log is useful

The first days can blur together. A short written record can help when care moves between two tired adults, or when a midwife or health visitor asks what has happened over the last 24 hours.

Nappies can also be one part of checking how feeding is going. The NHS describes wet and dirty nappies alongside several other signs, including swallowing, alertness, contentment after feeds and steady weight gain. The AAP makes the same broader point: nappy output is a clue, not the whole assessment.

How to use the printable

Write down an entry just after it happens. For a breastfeed, note the start time, side and anything you want to remember rather than trying to estimate a volume. For a bottle, record what was offered and what your baby took. Tick wet or dirty for a nappy and use the notes column only when a detail may matter.

The notes column is there to make a handover or appointment easier, not to grade the day.

What the numbers cannot tell you

A row count cannot diagnose whether a baby is getting enough milk. Babies do not all feed on the same timetable, and the number and appearance of nappies change in the first days and weeks. Do not use this sheet to delay asking for help or to make a baby wait for a feed so the page looks orderly.

When to ask for help

Ask for feeding support early if you are concerned about how your baby is feeding or how many wet and dirty nappies they have. Contact a midwife, health visitor or breastfeeding specialist. Seek urgent medical help if your baby is hard to wake, is not feeding normally and you are worried, has breathing difficulty, or shows other signs that need urgent attention.