How do I tell if my newborn is getting enough milk?
Bottom lineTell if your newborn is getting enough milk by their output and growth, not by measuring: from day 5 expect 6 or more wet nappies a day, regular soft yellow stools, active sucking and swallowing, contentment after feeds, and steady weight gain back to birth weight by about two weeks; seek advice for very few wet nappies, poor weight gain, a baby too sleepy to feed, or signs of dehydration.
It's a common worry, especially when breastfeeding and you can't see how much your baby takes. Instead of measuring milk, you watch your baby's output, feeding, and growth.
Reassuring signs
- Wet nappies: by day 5 onward, around 6 or more wet nappies a day with pale, odorless urine
- Dirty nappies: regular soft, yellow stools in the early weeks
- Feeding well: active sucking and swallowing, settling or seeming content after most feeds
- Steady weight gain: after the normal early dip, your baby returns to birth weight by about two weeks and keeps growing
- Alert and active when awake, with good color and skin tone
During feeds
- Your baby has a deep latch and you can hear or see swallowing
- Breasts feel softer after a feed
- Newborns typically feed 8 to 12 times in 24 hours
Warning signs - seek advice
Contact a clinician or health visitor if your baby has very few wet nappies, is not back to birth weight by about two weeks, is very sleepy and hard to wake for feeds, feeds poorly, or shows signs of dehydration (dry mouth, sunken soft spot, dark urine).
See how often to breastfeed a newborn for feeding frequency.
Femora helps you track feeds and nappies so you can see the reassuring signs your baby is thriving.