Breastfeeding Basics: How To Know If My Baby Is Getting Enough Milk
You’ve probably asked yourself how you might know if your baby is getting enough milk. When breastfeeding your baby, you can look for these important signs and questions if your baby is receiving milk from the breast/chest area when latched at the breast:
Does the baby have active jaw movements and audible swallows?
Do your breasts feel full prior to the feed and softer after?
Does your baby seem satisfied after feeds (relaxed, falls asleep)?
Is baby having enough dirty and wet diapers?
Most importantly, is baby gaining weight consistently?
Below are a few general guidelines that can be used as a base guideline for guidance as you feed your baby
Latch and Positioning
For latch and positioning, it’s important to note that newborns can instinctually make their way to the breast/chest area when placed skin-to-skin after birth. When helping baby latch:
aim your nipple at their nose.
Make sure to keep baby’s chin up so swallowing is easy for them.
and pull baby toward you by the shoulders.
Baby’s bottom lip should touch your breast first.
However, if latching is painful, see a Lactation Consultant for help.
Note that the more frequently your breasts are emptied, the more milk your body will make. The body receives a signal from full breasts to slow down milk production, so it’s important to breastfeed early and often. Weighted feeds can also be helpful as a measurement of both baby’s weight and milk intake during each feed. you are welcome to weigh your baby at the Breastfeeding Center anytime- no appointment needed!
