how do i know if my baby is drinking milk from my breasts?

Question

Will I be able to tell if when my baby is sucking on my breast if she is actually getting milk and how do i know if she is getting enough milk?

Answer 1

You'll know your baby is getting enough by the amount of pee/stool in her diaper. Well-fed babies should have dirty diapers at least 8-10 times a day.
How long has it been since the birth? Have you tried expressing your own milk to see if it has come in?

Answer 2

You will hear the baby swallowing.
You will feel your milk letdown.
Your opposite breast may leak when your milk lets down.
You will notice a difference in how baby sucks. At first, it will be kind of fast to get the letdown. Then the pattern will slow and you'll notice a suck/suck/swallow kind of pattern.
Baby will poop and pee.....whatever goes in must come out, LOL!
Baby will be gaining weight and growing in length and head circumference.

Crying is a LATE indicator of hunger. Don't wait for baby to cry to feed him.

Your breasts SHOULD NOT feel full all the time. In the early days, yes, you will be engorged sometimes. This is because your body hasn't figured out how much milk to make and how many babies you are feeding yet. At some point, usually around 6 weeks or a little later, you will reach a point where your breasts feel softer and you don't get engorged between feedings all the time. This is NORMAL and is NOT an indicator of a supply problem. It means your supply has regulated. Engorgement is a sign that 1. you have too much milk or 2. you have gone too long between feedings.

Answer 3

I had a hard time actually feeling if the milk was coming out or not (people say you get a tingly feeling when your milk lets down but I never really did) But I could tell that he was getting milk because he was start gulping alot right when the milk let down and the keep swallowing periodically. Also alot of times the other one will leek while he's feeding from the other one. Your breasts get really full especially in the beginning before feedings. I used to worry alot because it really is impossible to tell how much he's eating but babies are smart and they'll stop when they're not hungry anymore and let you know when they are.

Answer 4

First let me say that you are not alone in this worry - this is a question all new mom's have. You are a good mom for caring for your child so diligently.

You will be able to tell that your child is getting enough milk with a few different indicators:

1) Wet diapers. There should be 8-10 wet diapers in the first few months.
2) You will notice that your breast is not as full.
3) Is your baby always crying or are there periods of 2-3 hours between feedings that your child is resting.
4) At your next well baby visit your doctor will weigh your baby to ensure there is enough growth (therefore your baby is eating enough).

If you can try to continue to breastfeed your baby as long as possible. My son is almost 1 now and I just love our special time together that only he and I can share.

Good luck and congrats!

Answer 5

Sometimes my baby will suck for comfort and isn't actually drinking. She will fall asleep at the breast like that. The way I know if she is drinking or not is by the fullness of my breast. If my breast feels less full when she is done, then she was drinking. It's hard to tell if they drink enough, but monitor the baby's diapers. If you have enough wet and soiled diapers per day and the baby is gaining weight and not losing it and the baby isn't dehydrated then you are doing just fine. Ask your baby's doctor to evaluate his or her weight gain. Breastfeeding isn't an easy route, but it's worth it. Good luck!

Answer 6

You will know if your baby is getting anything by listening. If you hear your baby making gulping sounds, you know she is getting something. Baby will know if she is getting enough. When she is hungry, she will cry. Your body will continue to produce milk to keep up with how much she is drinking. If you feel she did not get enough milk from one breast, offer her the other. When she is full, she will be content.

I congratulate you on the choice to nurse your baby. I think that seeing a mother nurse her baby is a beautiful thing. Good Luck with that!

Answer 7

What goes in must come out. You can't measure the level of milk in your breasts or in your baby's tummy, but you can easily count wet diapers. 8-12 wet cloth diapers in a 24-hour period (or 6-8 disposables) means your baby is getting plenty of milk.

Other signs that she's getting enough milk: Bright eyes, hydrated skin
(will go back quickly after being gently pinched, not stay in the "pinched" shape), alert when awake.

Answer 8

Sometimes it is difficult to tell whether or not a baby is receiving enough breast milk. You should feel it come out. If your baby is still crying and seems hungry after feeding then your baby may not be getting enough. Watch him/her when you feed them. See if the baby is satisfied after the feeding and falls asleep. If you are worried then consult a doctor, they should be able to give you advice and answer your questions.

Answer 9

I found it helpful to sit in a quiet room you can hear the baby swallowing... Diapers is a good indicator if your baby is getting enough... Should have 6-8 wet and poppy diapers in the very beginning... Should also be feeding 8-10 times in a 24 hours period!! My baby is 11 days old its a challenge but its SOOO worth it!! Keep at it goodluck!!

Answer 10

Hi, if your baby is sucking and getting milk, you will be able to hear her swallowing. You can also look below her chin and see swallowing. She will have had enough when she pulls off or refuses more if you offer it. Falling asleep isn't necessarily a sign she has had enoiugh, some babies need rousing to take more milk and to make sure they get enough.