How To Tell If Babies (Breastfeeding) Are Eating Enough | Hea Boosters

Breastfeeding is one of the many ways through which a new mom bonds with her baby and inherently facilitates physical and emotional feedback loops between a mother and her child It’s an incredibly empowering feeling to be able to provide for your child but is often just as overwhelming as it is rewarding. If you’ve spent the past several days wondering whether your breast milk is filling your little one’s tummy, you’re not alone. It is completely normal for breastfeeding moms to worry about whether their babies are eating enough.



While your body generally produces as much milk as your baby needs, having a well-balanced, nutritious diet, maintaining a proper sleep cycle, and reducing your stress levels all go a long way in ensuring an adequate supply of breast milk for your baby. Still, it helps to know what to look out for, so here are a few indicators that can help you determine whether your baby is feeling full and is getting enough milk.

Signs that your baby is getting enough breastmilk:

1. Your little one’s weight:

Your little one’s steady weight gain is one of the most positive signs which show that the baby is getting enough breast milk. During the first few days of your baby’s birth, some amount of weight loss is common. However, after this phase, your baby’s weight should gradually increase. As a general rule of thumb, your little one should double the birth weight by six months and triple by one year.

2. Your little one is active:

An energetic baby is a well-fed baby. If your baby wakes up happy and is active throughout the day, then your little one has a full stomach and will be ready to drink more milk soon.

3. Your baby’s urine:

Breastmilk is 87% water, therefore, your little one will have more than 7-8 wet diapers in a day initially. This is a good sign that your baby is eating enough.

4. Your baby swallows more:

You may hear your baby making small gulping sounds or notice small movements of his lower jaw while breastfeeding which possibly indicates a good feeding session.

Signs your baby is full:

During the initial days, your breasts will produce milk that is nutrient-rich, loaded with immune and growth factors. This milk is called colostrum and your baby will need to be fed often, roughly about every two to three hours. This frequent nursing in the early days also acts as a signal to your breasts to make more milk for your baby, but how do you tell if they’re full or if babies are eating enough?

1. Baby’s hands are open:

If your baby’s fingers are relaxed and releasing the breast on their own at the end of a breastfeeding session it’s usually a sign that they are full. Their hands tend to be be in fists before feeding, but when they’ve had their fill, their fists will generally relax and open.

2. Your little one is alert and active:

When you see your baby getting distracted and looking elsewhere, or playing around, it’s a good signal that they’re done eating and are full.

3. The number of diapers increases:

If you have chosen to go the old-school way and do not use diapers then you will notice the number of times your baby urinates. Your little one may not urinate much during the first few days, however, after this period, , breastfeeding babies go through frequent diaper changes (usually six or more over 24 hours).

4. Slower sucking:

Breastfeeding babies indicate fullness in many subtle ways. They may switch to slower and lighter suckling with lengthier pauses; this shows that they are full and content.

5. Your baby may drift off to sleep:

You may notice that your little one is slowly closing their eyes, unclenching their fists and moving away from your nipple. Don’t get too hassled by the amount of time they’ve spent nursing. Babies can get full within a few minutes of breastfeeding as their stomachs are small, and full babies are known to fall asleep soon after they’re done feeding.

Signs that your little one is not getting enough milk:

1. Latching is painful and shallow. Shallow latching can lead to your baby not being able to draw more milk from your breasts.
2. Your baby is lethargic and moody. Good feeding sessions ensure that your little one has enough energy to play or stay active in between feedings.
3. Your baby hasn’t regained their birth weight by 10-14 days old or weight gain is slower than expected. 155-240 grams weight gain per week is normal.
4. Some babies develop dry eyes or mouths which may be a sign of dehydration due to insufficient intake of breastmilk.

At the end of the day, you need to remember that no mom is born knowing how to breastfeed and it takes time to learn the signals a baby sends you and interpret them accurately. Breastfeeding is a personal journey that is unique for every mom.

Breastfeeding is love, care, and nutrition all rolled into one. Therefore, it is important to take care of your well being and mental health to breastfeed your baby. If at all you feel that the flow of your breastmilk is low, then there are several herbs that can come in handy, so do not worry about the supply of your milk flow.