Is my baby getting enough milk?

Your breast milk is produced on a supply and demand basis. The more your baby feeds, the more your body will make. But in the early days, it is easy to worry that your baby may not be getting enough milk.

Building up your milk supply
To build a good supply, it is best to feed on demand at first, letting your baby feed as often as they want rather than trying to time the feeds. Start each feed from the breast that feels fullest, and check that your baby is latching on properly, taking a large amount of breast in their mouth. They won't be able to get the milk out properly if they just suck on your nipple. And it will hurt!

How a feed works
Your breasts produce two types of milk: watery, thirst-quenching foremilk at the start of a feed, followed by the fatty hind milk that fuels your baby's growth. To ensure they get both types, let your baby decide when to end the feed. They will either fall asleep or let go when they have finished. Some babies drain both breasts at every feed, while others are satisfied with one.

Try to avoid introducing bottles while you are establishing breast feeding. Bottle feeding will reduce the time your baby spends on the breast and could affect your milk supply.

Your baby is getting enough milk if:

• They seem content and satisfied after most feeds
• They're producing plenty of wet nappies
• They gain weight steadily after the first two weeks
• They have periods of being awake and alert
• Your breasts and nipples are not sore

Feeding patterns
While some newborns fall into a routine quickly, it is normal for their feeding patterns to be unpredictable at first. Some days they feed little and often, other days they may want longer feeds, further apart. Frequent feeding, known as cluster feeding, in the evenings is also common.

While it can sometimes be frustrating to muddle through without a routine, feeding on demand will stimulate your milk supply, so be guided by your baby's needs, not the clock.

As they grow, their feeds should become quicker and less frequent, but watch out for growth spurts, usually at around 10 days, six weeks and three months. Your baby may need more feeds at these stages while your milk supply increases to meet their growing demands.