Is baby getting enough?
All mums want to know if their baby is feeding well and getting enough milk. There are clear signs that you can look out for:
Signs that your baby is feeding well
-
Your baby has a large mouthful of breast
-
Your baby’s chin is touching your breast
-
It doesn’t hurt you to feed (although the first few sucks may feel strong)
-
If you can see the dark skin around your nipple, you should see more dark skin above your baby’s top lip than below their bottom lip
-
Your baby’s cheeks stay rounded during sucking
-
Your baby takes rhythmic, long sucks and swallows. Its normal for them to pause sometimes
-
Your baby finishes the feed and comes off the breast on their own
Signs that your baby is getting enough milk
-
Your baby will appear content and satisfied after most feeds
-
They should be gaining weight after the first two weeks
-
Your breasts and nipples should not be sore
-
In the first 48 hours, your baby is likely to have only two or three wet nappies
-
From day 5 onwards, wet nappies should become more frequent, with at least six wet nappies every 24 hours
-
They should appear healthy and alert when they’re awake
If your baby isn’t feeding well, there are small changes you can make to adjust your positioning or attachment. This can make a big difference to how your baby feeds.