If it is your first time breastfeeding and if you're a "first generation" breast feeder, then we understand the concern for having questions surrounding if baby is actually getting enough milk. You want to make sure that the benefits you hear about liquid gold actually become benefits for you and your baby.

Steady Weight Gain

One way to determine if baby is actually receiving any breastmilk during your nursing sessions is to make sure you go to your babies pediatric appointments so your little one can get weighed. The first appointment baby will probably loose some weight in general but they should start back regaining shortly after. Babies commonly lose some weight in the first few days of life (up to 7–10% of their birth weight), so pediatricians keep a close eye on weight gain to ensure they’re feeding well and growing. This is a great time to bring up concerns about feeding, sleep, or anything you’re unsure of.

Wet and Dry Diapers

Wet diapers are one of the most reliable signs that a newborn is getting enough breast milk, especially in the first few weeks, when it can be hard to tell how much they’re actually drinking. Breast milk is mostly water, so good urine output means your baby is staying hydrated. You could also track amount of number two's they are having and the color. Healthy breastfeeding babies poop is normally the color of yellow, due to the bilirubin being excreted. Remember it may take time to transition from the "First Poop" to the healthy seeding mustard yellow breastfeeding poop. So you should just ensure they are having regular bowel movements in the early weeks. This can also be helpful to tract your babies jaundice levels. If they haven't started peeing and pooping it is a great idea to check in with your provider to ensure their levels are normal.

Sucking and Swallowing Sounds

Another indicator that your newly breastfeeding baby is actually getting some milk is by listening to how they sound when nursing. A lot of moms can actually feel the milk coming out of the breast it self but if you can't just sit and listen to how the baby drinks. If you have a normal let down there will be times where baby can't keep up and will release their suck to come up for air. What is awesome about the release is you get to see any mi.k they may have had in their mouth coming out, helping you determine if milk is actually coming out or not.

Your Breast Feel Less Full

Even if you’re still unsure, it’s always safe to listen to your body and check to see if your breast actually may feel less full. Giving them a squeeze can help you determine if something is coming out. And if you decide to use a breast pump alongside exclusively breastfeeding for an emergency stash that can be helpful to determine if your supply is going up and becoming regulated. Whether you are exclusively breastfeeding or exclusively pumping your breast should be getting empty. Using a Haakaa can gently relieve that pressure by catching letdown on one side while the baby nurses on the other, preventing engorgement and saving milk that would otherwise be lost. This gentle suction helps soften the breast so the baby can latch more easily without overstimulating supply the way pumping might. By easing fullness, the Haakaa can reduce the risk of clogged ducts and mastitis, which can occur when milk remains backed up. Over time, as supply balances out, the Haakaa often becomes more of a helpful convenience than a daily necessity.

Leaking Occurs Without Feeding

Leaking breasts are often a sign that your body is producing a good supply of milk, especially in the first weeks after birth. Many parents notice leaking during feedings or when their baby cries, which shows that the milk ejection reflex (letdown) is working. While leaking alone doesn’t guarantee that your baby is getting enough milk, combined with steady weight gain and plenty of wet and dirty diapers, it can be a reassuring sign. Some parents leak a lot, while others barely leak at all, and both can still have healthy milk supply. Over time, as your body adjusts to your baby’s needs, leaking usually decreases even though milk production remains strong.

Know Your Options

If a parent isn’t producing enough breast milk, there are several safe options to ensure the baby still receives full nutrition. Some families choose to use milk from a donor milk bank, where screened and pasteurized breast milk is made available for infants who need it. In certain cultures and communities, a wet nurse—another lactating parent feeding the baby directly—has also been a traditional way to provide breast milk. If donor milk or wet nursing isn’t available or preferred, infant formula is a reliable alternative that supports healthy growth and development. What matters most is that the baby is fed, gaining weight, and thriving, whether through breast milk, donated milk, or formula.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

This information is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only we do not accept an liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly from any information or advice contained here. Exploring Motherhood may earn compensation from affiliate links in this content.