Kiddipedia
Pinky McKay IBCLC
If you feel anxious about how much milk your breastfed baby is getting, you aren’t alone. One of the most commonly reported reasons women stop breastfeeding is concerns about low milk supply.
While it’s a natural instinct to worry whether your baby is getting enough milk—after all, there are no markers on your breasts saying ‘full’ or ‘empty’—there are reliable signs to reassure you. Instead of letting doubt creep in due to your own worries or outside comments, trust your body and use this checklist to build confidence in your breastfeeding journey.
You Can Hear Your Baby Swallowing
At first, your newborn may take 5 to 10 sucks before swallowing because colostrum, the first ‘milk,’ is thick and comes in small amounts. This means your baby has to work harder to extract it. Once your milk ‘comes in’—usually between the second and sixth day—your baby’s sucking will trigger your letdown reflex, leading to more frequent swallowing or gulping. As the feed progresses, your baby will settle into a slower, deeper sucking rhythm with regular swallows.
You should hear your baby swallowing every suck or two (‘suck-swallow’ or ‘suck, suck-swallow’). If your baby takes multiple sucks before swallowing or makes clicking noises, consider consulting a lactation expert to check their latch and oral function.
Watch Your Baby’s Chin and Ears
A good way to check if your baby is feeding effectively is to observe their sucking action. During active sucking, you’ll notice slight movements in front of their ears—this indicates a strong, efficient suck.
Think about how you drink through a straw: your chin drops as you suck in liquid. Similarly, your baby’s chin will pause in a lowered position while they take in a mouthful of milk. The longer this pause, the bigger the mouthful, meaning more milk intake. A baby who feeds efficiently may finish quickly, so focus on their sucking and swallowing rather than the length of the feed.
Watch Your Baby’s Hands
At the start of a feed, your baby’s hands may be clenched tightly. As they become satisfied, their hands will gradually relax and open. This is a reassuring sign that they are full.
Your Baby is Alert and Content
A well-fed baby is typically happy and alert, with bright, moist eyes and smooth, healthy skin. If your baby comes off the breast looking ‘milk drunk’ with milk dribbling from their mouth, it’s a great sign they’ve had enough.
However, if your baby seems lethargic, constantly unsettled, or feeds around the clock without ever seeming full, consult a healthcare professional for guidance.
Check the Nappies
A baby’s nappy output is a key indicator of sufficient milk intake—what goes in must come out!
Wees:
- Day 1: At least one wet nappy
- Day 2: At least two wet nappies
- Day 3: At least three wet nappies
- By day 5: At least five wet nappies
- After the first week: At least six very wet cloth nappies or five heavy, wet disposable nappies daily
If your baby’s urine is scarce or dark, you may need to feed more often and seek advice from a lactation consultant or healthcare provider.
Poos: Your baby’s bowel movements also provide important clues. Initially, newborns pass thick, black meconium, which transitions to greenish-brown and then to mustard yellow by day 4 or sooner.
For the first six weeks, expect at least two soft or runny yellow bowel movements the size of the palm of their hand each day. After that, babies may poop frequently or space out bowel movements. As long as their stools remain soft and yellow, there’s no need to worry. However, if stools become firm or your baby seems uncomfortable, consult a healthcare professional. If your baby is also consuming formula, this will alter the color, consistency, and smell of their stools.
Understanding Weight Gain
Every baby grows at their own pace. Weight and growth are typically plotted on percentile charts which simply compare your baby’s size to others of the same age. Whether your baby is at a high or low percentile, this is not a reflection of how well you are feeding them.
You only need to be concerned if your baby is dropping across multiple percentiles or has very slow weight gain. Some babies who are large at birth may gain weight more slowly, while smaller babies may grow rapidly. Birth weight is influenced by in-utero conditions, whereas post-birth growth follows genetic patterns. Additionally, weight gain may slow as babies become more active.
Weight Loss at Birth: The Australian Breastfeeding Association states that newborns may lose 5–10% of their birth weight in the first week but should regain it by weeks 2–3. Some early weight loss can be due to IV fluids received during labor and may not indicate a milk supply issue. However, a loss of more than 10% could be a concern.
Recommended Weight Gains: The National Health and Medical Research Council recommends:
- 0–3 months: 150g per week
- 3–6 months: 100–150g per week
- 6–12 months: 70–90g per week
Rather than stressing over weekly fluctuations, consider your baby’s weight over a month, as gains can be influenced by factors like feeding times, digestion, and overall health.
Trust Your Body and Your Baby
Breastfeeding can be an emotional journey, but understanding these key signs can help ease anxiety. If you ever have concerns, seek support from a lactation consultant, doctor, or child health nurse. Your body was made for this, and with the right information and support, you can feel confident in your ability to nourish your baby.
If you are concerned about your baby’s size, whether your baby is large or small, it would be helpful to check out the World Health Organisation Growth standards as these are based on breastfed babies as the ‘norm’. Also, it is worth considering whether your baby’s growth could be influenced by genetics – asking your own mum and your mother-in-law for your and your partner’s baby books could provide reassurance that your child is simply following a family pattern.
Pinky McKay is an Internationally Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and best-selling author of Sleeping Like a Baby and Parenting by Heart. She is also the creator of Boobie Bikkies and Boobie Brekkie, all natural and organic foods to nourish breast-feeding mothers and support a healthy milk supply. Download Pinky’s free ebook ‘Making More Mummy Milk, Naturally’
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