Feeding cues and signs of getting enough milk

Signs of your baby getting enough milk

When breastfeeding your baby, it can be difficult to know if your baby if getting enough milk. Your baby only has a small tummy so they will want to feed frequently. Breastmilk is designed to meet all your baby’s needs. There is never a wrong time to offer your baby your breast. You cannot overfeed a breastfed baby. You can find out if your baby is getting enough milk by:

• Checking their nappy or diaper

  Checking your baby’s nappy is a great way to see if they are getting enough milk.

  During the first 4 to 6 weeks your baby should have 6 to 8 heavy wet nappies and at least 2 dirty nappies with soft runny yellow poos in 24 hours. After this period your baby may start to poo less frequently. This can be normal for a baby but if you have concerns contact us for advice. 

  Read our guidance on understanding your baby's poo

• Checking your baby is swallowing

  Watch your baby as they are feeding.

  They will initially suck rapidly. This is your baby’s way of encouraging the milk to begin flowing. They will then move into a more rhythmical pattern of feeding: suck-swallow or suck-suck-swallow. 

  Watch your baby's jaw and chin to see the swallowing. You may also hear them swallowing happening. They will take occasional pauses in this phase.

  Towards the end of a feed the fat globules in the milk will become larger. You may notice a fluttering or wobbling sensation in your breast as your baby uses their tongue differently to access this thicker milk.

  Let your baby complete their full sucking-cycle on the first breast, de-latching themselves, before then offering the second breast.

  If your baby appears to be continually shallow sucking with very intermittent swallowing seen they may not be properly latched.

  Read our information on positioning and latching

• Pay attention to how active your baby is

  Making a note of your baby’s activity levels can help you figure out if your baby is getting enough milk. If your baby falls asleep during the first 3 minutes of breastfeeding, the flow of milk is probably slow.

  A baby who is getting enough milk is:

  • • feeding at least 10 times in 24 hours
    • alert and active when feeding
    • dropping off the breast at the end of a feed
    • generally content between feeds

  A baby who is not getting enough milk is:

  • • feeding less than 8 times a day
    • sleepy when feeding
    • wanting to be on the breast all the time
    • difficult to wake up