Is my baby getting enough milk?

How do we know our little milk guzzlers are getting enough of the white stuff? 

Feeding in the early days is TOUGH! Babies might feed more frequently than you were expecting, they might be sleepy at the breast, they might even seem like they’re feeding well one minute, but then the next be crying all the time and you just have no idea what’s going on.  Many families worry more with breastfeeding because they’re unable to physically see the volumes baby is taking, but there are a few ways to tell if baby is getting enough of the good stuff! 

Let’s start by thinking about each individual feed:

-Tiny hands might start a feed tightly clenched into little fists, but once they’ve relaxed and baby looks more laid-back, it’s a pretty good sign they’ve gotten their fill of the good stuff!

-A stellar latch is like a sneak peek into how well your little one is feeding. Picture this: baby’s mouth is wide open, taking in a generous portion of breast tissue, not just the nipple—no clamping allowed! A squished nipple is a cranky nipple, and that’s not what we want because it messes with the milk flow. We’re aiming for baby’s mouth to work that breast tissue like a pro, giving it a gentle massage to get the milk flowing. Baby’s nose? It’s usually clear, while their adorable chin snuggles right into the breast, adding extra pressure to keep things moving. Top lip relaxed, bottom lip flared out like a pro—it’s all about that perfect positioning. And beware of those “fish lips”—they’re a dead giveaway that baby’s having a tough time hanging on!

-Nailing down how long a feed should last is like predicting a baby’s next facial expression – it’s anyone’s guess! Generally, feeds can go anywhere from a quick 5 minutes to a leisurely 40. While it’s good practice to offer both breasts each time, some babies just aren’t into that double-sided dining. If your baby’s mealtime starts to stretch beyond 40 minutes, it might be more of a milk marathon than a sprint. You could try mixing things up by switching breasts sooner (some babies are into the back-and-forth routine) or adding a little oomph with some breast compressions!

-A full baby will happily pop off the nipple when they’re done. They might snuggle in for a nap or just lounge contentedly in your arms. Some babies, however, love staying latched while they doze off because sucking is like their ultimate comfort blanket. So, if your little one is snoozing while still latched, it doesn’t necessarily mean they didn’t get enough milk – sometimes they just enjoy the cosy vibes!

When a baby is chowing down on a good milk haul, you’ll catch them doing a lot of swallowing. But how can you tell? Sometimes, you’ll hear those adorable gulps, but if not, just keep an eye on their jaw. During sucking, their jaw does a little dip, but when they’re swallowing, it’s more of a big, dramatic drop. Lucy Webber, IBCLC, has an awesome video that totally nails this in action! At the start of a feed, you’ll see your little one doing a whole lot of sucking with fewer swallows—think of it as them revving the engine to get the milk flowing! Once your letdown hits, you’ll notice the pace changing to just a couple of sucks per swallow. As the feeding winds down, the tempo will slow again, and when you spot more sucking but fewer swallows, that’s your cue to switch sides and keep the milk party going!

-Keep an eye out for that classic milk-drunk face—when babies slip into full-on rest-and-digest mode, it’s a pretty good sign they’re tanked up on milk! But don’t let your guard down just yet—some little ones will nod off before they’ve had enough. If you’re unsure, don’t hesitate to get some help (and definitely check out my CCK post!).

What about over 24 hours?

Keep an eye on those nappies! By day 5, your little one should be filling 6+ wet ones and producing 2-3 poops a day (if they’re under 6 weeks old). Wet nappies should be nice and pale, while poops should have made their grand entrance in a delightful shade of yellow (and no, I won’t compare it to my favourite curry!). There’s this funny myth that breastfed babies magically “use up” all the good stuff in breast milk, but if your newborn isn’t pooping 2-3 times a day, it could be a bit of a red flag. Sometimes it’s just one of those quirky baby things, but it’s always a good idea to get some backup. Better to double-check than to miss something sneaky!

 – 8-10 feedings a day (or more) is the name of the game! Babies love to eat often, and those who are getting plenty of milk will have the energy to wake up and demand their next meal. On the flip side, if a baby isn’t getting enough milk, they might be too sleepy to wake up for feeds. So, if your little one is snoozing through meals, it might be a sign they’re not getting what they need.

Look at the overall picture too:

Baby should be growing steadily and following their growth curve like a champ. The WHO growth charts lay out the ideal growth patterns for kiddos, with separate charts for boys and girls, each divided into centiles (or curves). Once your baby has regained their birth weight after the initial post-birth dip, they should generally stick within a certain percentile range. Sometimes, a baby might cross a centile line on the chart, which can happen, but if they drop two lines below their usual centile, that’s a red flag. In such cases, it’s a good idea to seek support to figure out why your little one’s growth pattern is changing.

Babies who are getting their fill of milk will be bursting with energy to nail those milestones. Get ready for those heart-melting smiles, cheeky mimicking, rollovers, and all the other fun surprises along the way! You can find a guide on what to expect here with UNICEF.

Your baby’s getting bigger, and your wallet’s getting lighter! It’s a bittersweet moment when you have to bump them up to the next clothing size, but it’s a fantastic sign they’re getting plenty of milk to grow like a little beansprout!

None of these factors alone can tell us if your baby is striking it rich in the milk department. We like to zoom out and see the full picture to check if your little milk-chugging champ is getting all the goodness they need! If you’re ever in doubt, don’t hesitate to reach out to a breastfeeding pro who can help piece the puzzle together.

Further Reading/Resources:

Unicef – Developmental Milestones

NHS – Is my baby getting enough milk?

Who – Child Growth

https://laleche.org.uk/is-my-baby-getting-enough-milk/

How do I know if my baby is getting enough milk?