03/09/2026
🤱 HOW DO I KNOW IF MY BABY IS GETTING ENOUGH BREASTMILK? 🌸
One of the biggest worries for a breastfeeding mother is:
“How do I know my baby is getting enough milk if I can't measure it?”
The good news is that your baby gives you several signs that they are taking in enough breastmilk.
💧 1. LOOK AT WET NAPPIES
Once your baby is around 5–7 days old, a well-hydrated breastfed baby will generally have at least 6 heavy wet nappies in 24 hours.
In the first few days, the number gradually increases:
👶 Day 1 — at least 1 wet nappy
👶 Day 2 — at least 2
👶 Day 3 — at least 3
👶 Day 4 — at least 4
👶 Day 5 onward — around 5–6+ wet nappies per day
The urine should generally be pale rather than dark and concentrated.
💩 2. LOOK AT YOUR BABY'S STOOLS
During the first few days, stools change from meconium → green/brown transitional stools → yellow stools as milk intake increases.
By around day 4–5, many breastfed babies are passing loose, yellow, seedy stools.
After the early newborn period, stool frequency can vary considerably between breastfed babies, so poo alone isn't a reliable way to judge milk intake in an older baby.
👂 3. CAN YOU HEAR YOUR BABY SWALLOWING?
A baby who is actively transferring milk will usually have periods of:
suck → suck → swallow
You may hear a soft swallowing sound or see the baby's jaw pause as they swallow.
If your baby is sucking continuously but you rarely see or hear swallowing, it may be worth having the feeding assessed.
🤱 4. YOUR BABY'S FEEDING BEHAVIOUR
During a good feed, you may notice your baby's hands and body becoming more relaxed.
Your baby may eventually:
✔️ Release the breast themselves
✔️ Have relaxed hands
✔️ Appear calm or satisfied
✔️ Come off the breast after active swallowing has slowed
Remember: falling asleep at the breast does not automatically mean your baby has had enough. Newborns can become sleepy before they have taken an effective feed.
📈 5. WEIGHT GAIN IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT SIGNS
Your baby's weight should be monitored during the newborn period.
Some weight loss after birth is normal, but continued excessive weight loss, failure to regain birth weight appropriately, or poor weight gain needs assessment.
A weight check can tell us much more than how long your baby fed for.
⏰ 6. DON'T JUDGE MILK INTAKE BY MINUTES
A 10-minute feed doesn't necessarily mean “not enough,” and a 40-minute feed doesn't necessarily mean “lots of milk.”
Babies transfer milk at different rates.
Watch your baby, not the clock. ❤️
🚩 WHEN SHOULD YOU GET HELP?
Please seek breastfeeding/medical support if:
🔸 Your baby is having fewer wet nappies than expected
🔸 Your baby is very sleepy and difficult to wake for feeds
🔸 You rarely hear swallowing during feeds
🔸 Your baby is consistently feeding but never seems satisfied
🔸 Your baby has ongoing or excessive weight loss
🔸 Your baby isn't gaining weight as expected
🔸 You are experiencing significant ni**le pain or damage
🔸 You are worried about your milk supply
And please don't wait until you're desperate for help.
A breastfeeding assessment can look at your baby's latch, milk transfer, feeding behaviour, your milk supply and your baby's growth — and help you understand what is actually happening.
🌸 Nursing to Nurture
Because sometimes you don't need someone to simply tell you to “feed more.”
You need someone to look at the whole picture and help you understand your baby. 🤍
📲 For personalised breastfeeding, pumping and feeding support, contact Nursing to Nurture.
