Is My Baby Getting Enough Breast Milk?
A lactation consultant has the answer for you
Parents worry that they do not have enough milk for many reasons:
- No sensation of a let down
- No longer leaking milk
- Mom’s breast do not feel full (or engorged) anymore
- Unable to produce milk with a pump
- Baby does not stay at the breast as long as mom would like
Though some of these things may cause reason to look further, none are indicative of a poor milk supply.
The best way to gauge adequate supply is growth.
In the first few months of life, we expect babies to gain close to an ounce per day, and double their birth weight by 5 months.
Since you may not always have a scale handy, ask yourself questions like:
- Do you hear swallows during the feed?
- Does your baby seem content after the feed?
- Is your baby pooping 4 or more times per day? (this number falls around 3 months)
- Is your baby having 6 or more pale wet diapers per day?
Get to know Holly Erwin, Cook Children's Virtual Lactation Consultant
Holly Erwin, LVN, IBCLC, is a mom of three boys and has worked as a pediatric nurse for over 11 years within the Cook Children's Health Care System. When not working, she spends her time running to and from sports for her boys, being outside with her family and dreaming of traveling with her husband of 10 years. For now, she settles for their bi-annual date-night!
Through her own children and the thousands of moms that she has helped over the years, Holly found a special interest in infants and breastfeeding. In 2015, she became internationally board certified as a lactation consultant and now works as an IBCLC virtually through the Cook Children's telemedicine department. Schedule an appointment with our virtual lactation consultant.
If you answered these questions “yes”, then it is likely the baby’s weight is climbing as well. If some or many of the answers were “no”, then you should follow up with your child’s pediatrician for a weight check and/or evaluation.
