10 Signs Your Baby is Full and Getting Enough Breast Milk

New moms, while becoming familiar with breastfeeding, may often worry about their babies getting enough milk. This is quite understandable, as every mom wants her baby to get proper nourishment, and it may be difficult to ascertain how much milk a baby is drinking during breastfeeding (unlike in bottle-feeding, where one can measure the precise quantity of formula or breast milk a baby gets). In case the baby is exclusively being breastfed, it becomes all the more imperative to determine that he is getting adequate breast milk. Let’s look at some signs baby is full to ascertain how much more milk your baby needs.

Video: 10 Signs Your Baby Is Full

It is also important to understand here that every woman can have a different breastfeeding experience. Some women are disposed to hyperlactation – meaning they produce a lot of breast milk than their baby can consume. Some women, on the other hand, have a low milk supply wherein the breast milk may take time to come. Some babies can latch on very easily while some may face problems in this respect.

Babies are different too! Some babies may seem eager to be fed several times a day (forcing you to wonder whether he is getting enough with every feed), while others may continue to sleep for hours without feeding (compelling you to wonder if he is too weary to get up). In such a confusing scenario, new moms can look out for certain signs that may indicate that their breast milk supply is sufficient and the baby is getting enough milk at every feed.

Infographics: 6 Signs Your Baby is Full While Breastfeeding

How to Know Your Baby Is Full When Breastfeeding

It can be very tempting for a mom to urge her baby to gulp down that remaining bit of milk or give in to the impulse of feeding him some more when he seems reluctant to eat or has eaten less than usual. However, it is crucial to appreciate that your baby may know when he has had his fill; his hunger can vary on different days or from feed to feed. By constantly persuading your baby to keep feeding when they seem full you may end up training him to ignore his body’s cues and get into the habit of overfeeding. Therefore you need to know when your baby is full. Watch out for the following cues in your baby to know when he is full!

1. Baby Turning Away From the Breast/Bottle

If your baby thrusts the nipple out using his tongue or tries to turn his head away from the breast or bottle he is probably full.

2. Baby Appears Easily Distracted

In case the baby starts to play and look around instead of drinking milk it can be a sign that he is not hungry yet/anymore!

3. Baby Starts to Cry Soon After Feeding Begins

Your baby may start to fuss or cry at the breast after a nursing session signalling his satisfaction.

4. Baby Slowing Down His Sucking

You may expect your baby to switch to slower and lighter suckling with lengthier pauses; this may indicate his contentment.

5. Baby Beginning to Fall Asleep

Some babies upon becoming tummy-full may lull off to sleep while breastfeeding. Babies can achieve gratification within a few minutes of nursing as their stomachs are small and may appear drowsy as they get full.

6. Baby’s Hands are Open

If you notice that at the end of breastfeeding your baby’s hands are relaxed with fingers extending it may be your baby’s means of indicating he is no longer hungry.

7. Baby’s Body Feels at Ease

If you sense your baby’s posture is beginning to relax and loosen up after feeding, be assured that he is soon going to be full.

8. Baby Lets Out a Wet Burp

Some babies may experience a wet burp after feeding is over wherein a little milk often dribbles out of the mouth – this is a sureshot satiety cue.

9. Baby’s Hiccups

Experts believe that hiccups in babies are a sign that their tummy is too full. Hiccups may occur due to reflux when food and acid can upturn due to the fullness of the stomach.

10. Let Go of Breast

Your baby may cease to suck and release your breast after nursing which may signal fulfilment.

What Are the Signs That Your Baby Is Getting Enough Breast Milk?

Most breastfeeding moms worry about whether their baby is getting enough milk. The fact is that the production of breast milk usually works on the principle of demand and supply. So most breastfeeding moms need to realise that in case they are experiencing low milk supply, in the beginning, they will start to produce more as soon as the baby begins to breastfeed. The more your baby feeds, the more milk your body will produce. Make sure that the baby’s feeding position is comfortable along with the mother’s feeding posture. The baby should have a mouthful of breast. Some signs that your baby is getting enough breast milk can be:

1. Baby’s Weight

Baby’s steady weight gain is one of the most positive signs which show that the baby is getting enough breast milk. During the first few days of baby’s birth, some amount of weight loss is common. But post this phase, the baby’s weight should gradually increase. Baby should double the birth weight by six months and triple by one year.

2. Baby’s Urine

A baby getting sufficient breast milk will pass more urine several times during the day. So you may be changing wet diapers quite frequently each day. About a minimum of eight times in 24 hours is good.

3. Baby’s Stools

In case the baby is adequately fed, the colour of his stool may convert to dark yellow within the second week of his birth. Babies who are solely on breastmilk are likely to pass stool regularly daily.

4. Baby’s Responses

Your baby may respond to a satisfying nursing session by looking happy, active and content at the end of it.

5. Baby’s Swallowing

You may hear your baby making small gulping sounds or notice small movements of his lower jaw while breastfeeding which possibly indicates good feeding session.

6. Softer Breasts

Your breast may feel softer and lighter instead of heavy and firm after breastfeeding signifying that your baby has consumed all the milk in your breast.

7. Breastfeeding Frequency

Typically a newborn baby may need around 10 to 12 feeds in a day. This frequency may decrease as the baby grows. But during growth spurts, the breastfeeding frequency may be higher. Breastfeeding moms can follow the breastfeeding frequency indicator to establish if their baby is properly fed or not.

8. Sleep Patterns

Your baby may be sleeping peacefully and for a longer duration, signalling a satisfying nursing session.

9. Lethargy

In case your baby looks lethargic or dissatisfied even after a long feeding session, chances are he is not getting enough milk to drink.

10. Dry Mouth

Some babies may develop dry eyes or mouth, which can be a sign of dehydration due to insufficient intake of breast milk.

Signs That Your Baby Is Not Getting Enough Breastmilk

Yes, you can actually look for signs when baby isn’t getting enough milk. Here are signs baby is full from breastfeeding:

• Your baby’s pee is dark yellow and smells strong.
• He seems irritated or unsettled after his feed.
• While breastfeeding, your baby is making clinching noises. This could be due to your baby not latching on your breast well.
• He is wetting his diaper less than usual, and he poops less than twice a day.
• Your baby’s poop may is not the usual runny or yellow.
• Your baby frequently wakes up for feeds.
• His skin looks pale-ish or yellow after the first week because of not getting enough breast milk.

Signs in Your Breast That Indicates Feeding Is Not Going Well

Apart from checking up on your baby, you can also looks for signs in our breasts to know if feeding is not going well. Here are some signs to look at:

• After feeds, your breasts still feel fuller and heavier.
• Your nipple is sore and pinched. This could be because your baby might be nipple feeding instead of having a mouthful of breast to drink milk.

FAQs

1. How Do You Know That Your Newborn Is Thriving?

You can look for signs baby is full from breastfeeding to know if your baby is thriving. Here are some to look at:

• Your baby will look healthy and plump.
• He will have a good skin colour.
• He looks satisfied after every feed and routinely asks for more.

2. What If Your Baby Has Lost Weight?

It’s usual for babies to lose between six per cent and nine per cent of their birth weight by a few days after the birth. This doesn’t mean your baby isn’t getting enough milk.

Your baby’s body loses the excess fluid he took in while he was bathed in amniotic fluid in your womb. If you had extra fluids through a drip during the last six hours of your labour or birth, he may have more fluid to lose. Just having his first poo (meconium) means he’ll lose a bit of weight. He built up meconium throughout the months he was in your womb.

After a few days, once your baby’s body has adjusted to life outside your womb, he should start to gain weight again. If he’s weighed when he’s between five and seven days, you may be able to see that he is starting to grow. After about two weeks, most babies are at, or above, their birth weight.

Your health visitor will weigh your baby at about two weeks, during her first visit after your baby’s birth. This visit is a good opportunity to check that your baby is putting on weight again. If he isn’t regaining his birth weight your health visitor will work with you to find out why, so you can get your baby back on track.

Breastfeeding moms may not needlessly worry about if their baby is getting enough milk or not while nursing because chances are he is! In case of any lingering concerns, it is always desirable to consult a lactation counsellor for suitable remedial action.

Also Read: Over Supply of Breast Milk