Do I Have Enough Milk?

One of the most common concerns I hear from moms is, "I don't know if I have enough milk." There are a few easy ways to know, so that you don't have to guess if your exclusively breastfed infant is getting enough to eat.

First of all, if you are feeding your baby on demand (not scheduling feeds, but feeding whenever he is hungry), and your baby is eating 8 times (or more) per day, that is a good sign. 

Secondly, by the time your baby is 5 days old, if he is having at least 5 wet diapers a day and at least 1 yellow poopie diaper per day, this indicates adequate milk intake. 

​A third sign that your baby is getting enough is that breastfeeding is comfortable to you and your breasts are not hurting. This is a sign that your baby has a good, effective latch. 

It is important that you can hear your baby swallowing when he is feeding. Your baby should be visibly more relaxed at the breast after he feeds than he was before the meal. 

The most obvious way to monitor if your baby is getting enough is to check his weight. Obviously this is only helpful on days that your baby gets a weight check, and is not helpful on a day to day basis. Make sure you keep your baby's appointments with his doctor so that any possible problems can be identified early.

If you are experiencing all of these things, that is a very good sign that breast-feeding is going well and that your baby is getting enough milk:

• At least 8 feeds a day, every time baby is hungry
• At least 5 wet diapers a day and one yellow poopie a day
• Mom is comfortable while breastfeeding
• ​You can hear baby swallowing during the feeding
• Baby is gaining weight

These are NOT signs that you aren't making enough milk for your baby: 

• Baby is fussy 
• Baby is hungry more than 12 times a day 
• Baby is cluster feeding 
• Baby wants to be held often. 

These are signs that your baby might not be getting enough:

• Baby is eating less than 8 times a day Breastfeeding is painful
• You cannot hear baby swallowing
• Baby does not have many wet diapers
• Poopie is not yellow by day 5
• Baby seems lethargic and has a weak cry.​

If you have any concerns, call your baby's doctor or an IBCLC right away. 
Greensboro Lactation Consultants can perform a "weighed feeding", meaning your baby will be weighed before and after a feeding. This will help us determine how much milk your baby is taking. I can be reached by phone here and by email here. In-home consultations are available usually within 24 hours of your request, so if you're worried about it, don't wait!