In those early days with your newborn, it’s completely natural to wonder if you’re doing enough, especially when it comes to feeding your baby. Newborns only really know how to sleep, fill diapers, and eat. They spend up to 15 hours per day sleeping, and nurse up to 12 times per day when they’re awake. Many new moms find themselves watching every feeding, every diaper, and every cry, quietly asking, “Is my breast milk really enough?” That question often comes from a place of love and responsibility, not doubt or failure. If you’re feeling unsure or anxious, you’re not alone. Learning to trust your body and your baby takes time, but understanding the signs of low milk supply and whether your breast milk is meeting your newborn’s needs can bring reassurance.
Signs of Low Milk Supply
We’re used to being able to measure things. We like to know when we’re going to run out of gas, or eggs, or bread. One of the benefits of bottle feeding is that you can know precisely how much milk your baby is getting. When breastfeeding, you can’t always tell how much your baby is getting. It’s common for new parents to worry whether or not they are producing enough milk.
In most cases, nursing parents produce the right amount of milk for their newborns, but low milk supply does sometimes happen. If you’re concerned that you might have low milk supply, look out for these signs.
Signs your baby is well fed:
- Baby’s cheeks are full, not sucked in, while feeding
- Baby seems happy and content after feeding
- Baby is sleepy after feeding
- Your breasts feel soft and less full after feeding
Signs you might have low milk supply:
- Baby isn’t growing or gaining weight
- Baby isn’t swallowing during feedings
- Fewer wet diapers than expected
- Signs of dehydration
Causes of Low Breast Milk Supply
While low milk supply is a rare complication, it can have a wide range of causes. If you suspect you have low milk supply, these could be contributing factors.
- Taking an oral contraceptive
- Incorrect positioning during feeding
- Incomplete latch – if your baby isn’t latching correctly, they can’t fully drain the breast, which decreases milk production over time
- Supplementing with formula or bottled breast milk – if you start nursing less often, your body will start producing less milk
- Certain medications and medical issues
- Alcohol or tobacco use
- Poor sleep
- Time apart – if you have to go back to work or are separated for other reasons, it can mean breast milk isn’t being expressed as often, and production can slow down
- Introducing solid foods too early – once you start offering solid foods, your baby might not be as interested in breast milk. If your baby starts nursing less, you’ll start producing less
- Breast surgery
- Postpartum bleeding
How do I know if my milk supply is low?
As a new mom, ensuring your baby is getting enough nutrition is a top priority. Many breastfeeding parents worry that they aren’t producing enough milk, but that’s a relatively uncommon problem. Since you can’t measure how much breast milk your baby is getting, look for signs of a well-fed baby.
- Does your baby have full cheeks while feeding? If cheeks are puffy and full, that usually means your baby is getting plenty of milk.
- Does your baby release on their own when they’re finished eating?
- Is your baby happy and content after feeding?
- Is your baby filling diapers? You can get a sense of what’s going into your baby by looking at what’s coming out. If your baby is filling diapers, there’s a good chance they’re getting plenty to eat.
- Is your baby gaining weight?
Is my baby getting enough milk?
Signs your baby is getting plenty to eat:
- Your baby nurses eight to 12 times per day.
- Your baby is satisfied for one to three hours after feeding.
- Your baby is steadily gaining weight. A little weight loss is normal in the first week of life, then your baby should start gaining weight steadily.
- Wet and dirty diapers throughout the day. By the end of the first week, your baby should be filling between eight and 10 diapers per day.
Low Milk Supply vs. Normal Feeding Behavior
It can be pretty difficult to tell whether your baby is getting enough milk. There are common baby behaviors that might seem like a problem, but are actually totally normal feeding behaviors for newborns.
- Nursing for short periods. Your baby may only spend a few minutes at each breast before wanting a break. Short feeding periods are fine and don’t mean you have low milk supply.
- Your baby is hungry several times in a short period. This is called cluster feeding, and it’s a normal part of your baby’s development.
- Low milk when self-expressing. Babies are better at getting milk out than your hand or a pump. Just because you’re struggling to get milk out doesn’t mean your baby is.
When to See a Lactation Consultant
A lactation consultant is an expert in breastfeeding and the challenges that come along with it. They can help you with latching problems, nursing positions, concerns about milk supply, and more.
Text or call us to schedule an appointment with one of our in-house lactation consultants if you experience any of the following:
- Significant pain while nursing
- Your baby is losing too much weight
- Your baby won’t latch
- You have any concerns at all about feeding your baby
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