how to know if you're producing enough breast milk

Babies are all unique individuals, but it’s helpful to establish some guidelines. You will know if you're producing enough milk if your baby is gaining weight adequately. After the first 3 months, a typical baby will gain 3 to 5 ounces per week. After 6 months, that slows down a bit to around 1 to 3 ounces.

Your baby’s Pediatrician will be weighing her regularly to track her growth pattern. Some breastfed babies gain weight rapidly, and some are a bit slow to gain. Both can be a normal pattern for YOUR baby if they fit the bigger overall picture of consistent growth which includes head circumference and height. It’s helpful to know what you and your baby’s father looked like as babies. Genetics can definitely play a role here.

Keep in mind that most of the growth charts used by Pediatricians are based on the growth of babies fed artificial milk, not breast milk. Typically, breastfed babies grow a little more slowly than their formula fed peers from about the 4th to the 12th month. Growth charts don’t give an accurate picture of what’s normal for breastfed babies.  

How can I tell if baby is getting enough breast milk?

A baby who is getting enough milk will be active, meeting developmental milestones on schedule and her length and head circumference will be steadily increasing. Her skin will also be firm and healthy looking and her eyes bright.

You can also tell a lot about how much baby is getting by how many wet and soiled diapers she’s producing. This will vary depending on her age but in the baby older than one week, at least 6 very wet disposables (more if you’re using cloth) and 2 soiled diapers a day is a good sign that you're producing plenty of milk. Some babies do poop less frequently as they get a bit older, but will make up in quantity what they lack in frequency.

If your baby is gaining weight slowly and you and your baby’s Doctor are concerned, this warrants some attention. Rarely, slow gaining babies have some illness that needs to be addressed, however, the most common cause of this is mismanagement of breastfeeding. Are you scheduling baby’s feedings or limiting her time at the breast? 

Scheduling and breastfed babies don’t mix

Although most Moms produce about the same amount of milk over the course of 24 hours (unless she’s nursing twins, in which case she'll make twice as much!), Moms differ in their storage capacity. This means that some Moms will need to nurse more baby frequently than others.

Scheduling a breast fed baby can lead to slow weight gain, dehydration and has in rare cases lead to baby's death. Don't do it! Scheduling is NOT recommended for breast fed infants. Breast milk digests completely and quickly and babies have tiny tummies that need to be filled frequently.

Size does not matter!

The size of your breasts has little to do with your ability to bring in a hearty milk supply. Larger breasts consist mostly of extra fat. Small breasts and large breasts have the milk producing glands and ducts. If your breasts changed in size during your pregnancy or after your baby is born, you likely have nothing to worry about. In extremely rare cases, a woman is born without milk producing glands. This condition can be diagnosed by a Lactation Consultant.