Is My Baby Getting Enough Milk?

Worrying about whether your baby is drinking enough is one of the most common questions new parents have — especially in those first few weeks at home. The good news is that your baby gives you clues. Here’s how to spot them, and when to reach out for help.

Diaper Output

In the first week of life, your baby’s wet diapers gradually increase: one on day one, two on day two, and so on, until day six — after that, your baby should have at least six heavy, pale-yellow pees in 24 hours. Between six days and six weeks, most babies will also have three to four poops per day.

While both wet and dirty diapers matter, dirty diapers are often a better indicator that your baby is getting enough milk in these early weeks. If you’re changing a wet diaper nearly every time your baby feeds, that’s also a fantastic sign your little one is well-hydrated.

It’s normal for newborns to lose up to 10% of their birth weight in the first few days of life, and it can take up to two weeks to regain it. Babies born by c-section often trend toward the higher end of that range, since their birth weight may be temporarily inflated by maternal IV fluids received during delivery.

What matters most isn’t one number on the scale—it’s your baby’s steady progress along their own growth curve.

Once birth weight is regained, a healthy gain is about 20–30 grams per day (or 5–7 ounces per week). Try to focus on overall patterns instead of day-to-day changes. For perspective, a single heavy diaper can weigh 60 grams—so weighing at the wrong time can send you spiraling unnecessarily.

Feeding Behavior

Watch what happens at the breast: big, rhythmic sucks followed by a soft “kuh” sound tell you that milk is being swallowed. Sometimes babies stay latched and pacify with small quick sucks — wonderful for supply, but not the same as milk transfer.

After feeding well, your baby should look relaxed and content instead of rooting or fussing shortly after.

Feeding Frequency

In the early weeks, most babies feed 8–12 times in 24 hours, or about every 2–3 hours. As they grow, they may begin to manage one longer stretch of sleep at night—for example, a five-week-old might sleep for five hours, and by six weeks some babies stretch to six.

If your baby is sleeping longer stretches at night, remember they’ll still need to fit in those 8–12 feeds during the rest of the day.

It’s also important to keep your milk supply in mind. Going longer than six hours without feeding can decrease supply for some parents. Everyone’s storage capacity is different—some may only feel comfortable going three hours, while others can manage five without issue.

Always watch your baby’s weight, behavior, and (if applicable) daily pumping volumes. And if your baby wakes and cues to feed—no matter the time—follow their lead. They’ll make up the extra milk during the day.

When to Ask for Help

If diaper counts drop, your baby seems unusually sleepy or unsettled, or you’re just unsure about intake, don’t hesitate to reach out. A lactation consultant can assess feeding and help you find solutions.