6 Signs Your Baby Isn’t Getting Enough Breast Milk

If you’re breastfeeding, you probably have questions — a lot of them.

Second-guessing yourself as you work around the clock to keep your baby well-fed is absolutely normal. Caring for a tiny human is a big responsibility, after all.

So, when you start questioning whether your baby is getting enough breast milk, know that your worries are coming from a place of love. Generations of parents have had the same concerns.

To help put your mind at ease, we talked with pediatrician Kristin Barrett, MD, about warning signs that your baby might not be getting enough breast milk and what to do if you’re concerned.

How do I know if my baby isn’t getting enough breast milk?

Sure, your breasts don’t come with measuring lines to definitively tell you how much milk your baby is drinking. (How cool would that be?!) But keeping up with pediatrician appointments to check their weight and making sure they have enough wet diapers can be two of the best clues to knowing if they’re eating well.

Most babies can grow and thrive on breast milk alone until the age of about 6 months. That’s when it’s usually safe to start introducing solids.

But breastfeeding doesn’t go smoothly for everyone. And even when it does, it can be hard to know for sure that all is well.

Dr. Barrett shares warnings that may signal your baby isn’t getting enough milk.

1. Slow weight gain

Your baby’s growth patterns are the most useful signs of whether they’re getting enough milk.

“That’s why we see new babies so often at the pediatrician’s office,” Dr. Barrett shares. “We want to make sure they’re growing well, and we want to address any breastfeeding concerns you have.”

Babies lose weight in their first few days of life. That’s normal as their bodies adjust to the world.

It’s expected that by about two weeks old, they’ll be back to their birth weight. After that, their growth chart should show a steady upward trend.

If your baby’s weight stalls, it could be a sign that they aren’t getting enough milk.

Given all that, you may be tempted to weigh your baby at home to track their growth. But unless your baby’s healthcare provider recommends it, that could be a recipe for unnecessary anxiety.

“What we’re looking for in the office is consistent weight gain over time, not day-to-day changes,” Dr. Barrett points out. “A baby might gain less one day because they pooped a few times that day. Then, the next day, maybe they don’t poop at all and they gain more.”

In other words, it’s the average that counts most. So, weighing and reweighing your baby at home may not give you the peace of mind you’re looking for.

2. Not peeing enough

Changing diapers may not be the highlight of your day. But wet diapers can tell you a lot about how well your baby is eating.

What goes in must come out — and pee is a sign that your baby is getting enough milk and moving it through their body.

“By the time a baby is 6 days old, they should have at least six wet diapers per day,” Dr. Barrett advises.

Again, we’re looking for averages. If your baby pees five times one day, you don’t have to rush to get them to a pediatrician. As long as they typically have six or more wet ones a day, you can feel confident they’re getting enough milk. If not, it’s time to talk with a healthcare provider.

But, you’re wondering, what about poop? Glad you asked.

Poopy diapers don’t tell you much, especially for breastfed babies.

“I see breastfed babies who poop 10 times a day, and that’s normal. And I see babies who poop once every seven days, which is also normal,” Dr. Barrett clarifies. “There’s so much variation that poopy diapers aren’t a great gauge.”

3. Signs of dehydration

Too few wet diapers can be a sign that your baby is experiencing dehydration. But there can be other signs, too, like:

• Dry mouth: Healthcare providers call this a “tacky mouth.” A well-hydrated baby has a mouth that’s a saliva factory (and probably at least a little drooly). But if your baby’s mouth, tongue and lips are sandy, sticky or dry, they may not be getting enough milk.
• Sunken soft spot: Babies have soft spots (fontanelles) on their head. They’re what allows their skull to grow as they get older. A soft spot that sinks in could be a sign of dehydration and should be assessed by a healthcare provider.
• Not making tears: Newborns don’t always have tears when they cry. That’s nothing to be concerned about. But babies who are older than about 4 months should make tears when they cry.

4. Fussiness after eating

This is a tough one because some babies are just naturally happier than others. But after a nursing session, your baby should be pretty pleased with themselves.

You might hear that called “milk drunk” or “milk coma.” That’s the period of floppy-armed contentment that babies tend to have when their bellies are full. They’re relaxed and probably nodding off after finishing a successful feeding.

On the other hand, if your baby isn’t getting enough milk, they likely won’t feel satiated. And they’ll let you know it.

After a nursing session, a baby who didn’t eat enough might:

• Be fussy
• Cry
• Bob their head around searching for your breast (rooting)
• Be alert

5. Latch troubles

Here’s the truth: Nursing can be uncomfortable until you and your baby get the hang of it. It can take some time to get your baby to latch well and for your nipples to get used to it.

“The first week or two, it’s expected that you could have some discomfort with breastfeeding. It’s a new process for you both,” Dr. Barrett recognizes.

Now, there’s a difference between discomfort and outright pain. If you’re jump-scaring in pain when you’re nursing, it can be a sign that your baby isn’t latching well. And if nursing doesn’t get more comfortable with time, it can also be a sign of a poor latch.

A good latch is important for your comfort and for making sure your baby is eating well.

“Sometimes, you can make plenty of milk, but the baby can have issues physically pulling the milk from the breast,” Dr. Barrett explains.

6. Decreased pumping production (maybe)

If you’re concerned about your baby’s milk intake, you might be tempted to pump your milk to make sure you’re making enough. The logic is solid, and low output when you pump could be a sign that your baby isn’t getting much milk.

But it doesn’t always work that way.

“There are some women who simply don’t respond very well to breast pumps,” Dr. Barrett clarifies. “So, what you’re pumping isn’t always going to be a good sign of how much your baby is drinking.”

Don’t panic if your pumping output drops. It may not mean baby isn’t getting enough milk when they’re nursing.

Check your pump components (the valves in particular) to make sure they’re in tip-top shape.

“Often, it’s a pump problem, not a production problem,” Dr. Barrett reinforces.

If your pump fits and works well, low output could mean that you’re not making much milk for your baby — but don’t jump to conclusions based on that alone. Especially if they’re not showing other signs that they’re not eating enough.

What to do if baby isn’t getting enough milk

Talking with a healthcare provider should be your first step if you’re concerned that your baby isn’t getting enough milk.

They can weigh your baby, discuss your worries and advise you on what to do next.

If it does seem like baby is struggling to eat enough to grow, they might suggest things like:

• Scheduling more frequent weight checks to monitor their growth
• Seeing a lactation specialist to resolve issues related to latch and other concerns
• Changing your diet to improve your supply
• Supplementing with formula to “bulk up” your milk
• Considering using donor milk from a breast milk bank

Breastfeeding is hard, important work. And it can come with its share of worries. Trust your instincts, lean on your care team and know that support is available.