How to Know Baby is Getting Enough Milk

A newborn baby’s tummy is tiny and therefore can’t take large volumes of milk. This means that often, in the beginning, babies will feed frequently e.g. 8 -12 times in a 24 hour period. This frequent feeding will also help to stimulate your milk supply.

Over the first few days babies will start to feed for longer at the breast and take more each time. It is helpful to watch your baby’s sucking pattern whilst feeding and also to listen to try to hear your baby swallowing.

It is also useful to pay attention to wet and dirty nappies. This will help to tell you if baby is getting enough milk.

Wet nappies become increasingly heavier as the days go on. It is usual for babies to lose a little weight at the first re-weighing from birth and thereafter to gain steadily. Ask for help if you have any concerns with your baby’s feeding or weight gain.

Day 1-2	1-2 or more
Day 3-4	3 or more heavier
Day 5-6	5 or more heavy wet
Day 7-28	6 or more heavy wet