Wondering whether your breastfed baby is getting enough milk and growing well is a common concern many new parents share, particularly if your breastfeeding hasn’t been straightforward or concerns have been raised about your baby’s growth.
So, how can you tell if your baby is feeding effectively and thriving?
Many parents assume the answer lies predominantly in knowing exactly how much milk their baby is taking in. But that isn’t something you can easily measure with breastfeeding.
Interestingly, milk intake is only one part of the picture. Each baby has different needs and two babies can be thriving whilst consuming different volumes of breastmilk. There are plenty of additional, reliable signs that can tell you whether your baby is feeding well and getting what they need.
If you’re feeling uncertain about this particular topic, read on to learn the key things I encourage parents to look out for when assessing how well their baby is feeding.
Steady weight gain
After birth, it’s normal for babies to lose a small amount of weight. With effective feeding, they are expected to regain their birth weight by around two weeks of age and continue gaining weight steadily thereafter. Consistent weight gain is a reassuring sign that your baby is feeding well and receiving enough milk.
If your baby's weight gain is slower than expected, they are not gaining weight at all or they continue to lose weight, it’s important to seek skilled feeding support to identify the underlying cause. Speak to your midwife or health visitor about the support available within your local area.
Nappy output
Between weight checks, it can feel difficult to know whether feeding is going well and whether your baby is taking enough milk. Monitoring nappy output is a fantastic way to assess feeding, as a baby who is receiving enough milk should be producing an appropriate number of wet and dirty nappies.
If you are unsure about nappy output expectations, your midwife or health visitor will be able to guide you.
Is your baby is feeding frequently enough?
Newborn babies should feed at least eight times within a 24-hour period. However, it’s completely normal and expected that many babies will feed much more frequently than this. Eight feeds is simply the minimum number to ensure your baby is feeding enough.
Feeding responsively and responding to your baby’s hunger cues is a very helpful way to ensure they are getting what they need. However, some babies can be very sleepy in the early weeks so you may have to wake them for feeds to ensure you are meeting the minimum number.
If you are finding it difficult to encourage your baby to feed, skin-to-skin contact can be an incredibly effective tool. It can help stimulate your baby's feeding instincts, encourage latching and breast-seeking behaviors, and will also support your milk supply.
You may also benefit from skilled feeding support at this point to optimise positioning and attachment.
Audible and visible swallowing
Once your baby is around three days old, you should be able to both see and hear them swallowing milk during feeds. If you are unsure what this looks or sounds like, your midwife or a feeding specialist can help you to recognise your baby's suck and swallow pattern.
Babies are born with the reflexes needed to feed successfully, including rooting, sucking and swallowing. When they are supported to achieve a deep latch, feeding becomes more efficient and milk transfer improves.
Being able to see and hear your baby swallowing is a reassuring sign that they are actively consuming milk.
Feeding should be comfortable for you
Whilst observing your baby's latch can provide valuable information about a feed, your comfort matters too.
Even if a latch appears to look good but feels sore, this needs to be investigated - feeding should not feel painful. Although tenderness can be common in the early days as you and your baby learn this new skill together, ongoing pain is not a normal or expected part of breastfeeding and should be assessed by a skilled feeding professional.
You deserve to feed your baby pain-free!
The bottom line
Ultimately, there’s no single sign that tells us whether breastfeeding is going well - it’s always helpful to look at the whole picture if you’re feeling overwhelmed. Trust your instincts, seek help when needed and know that small adjustments and early support can make a significant difference to your feeding journey.
