💧 How to Know If My Baby Is Getting Enough Milk (Advice from a Wigan Newborn Photographer & Mum)
- throughthelookingg51
- Jul 12
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 14
Wondering if your baby is getting enough milk? Here's a mum-to-mum guide from a Wigan newborn photographer, with honest tips and gentle reassurance. Whether you’re breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, combo-feeding, or just winging it daily with one eye open and one boob out, the same question haunts us all in those early days: “Is my baby getting enough milk?”
You're not alone. I googled this about 8 million times in the first two weeks.
So here’s a gentle guide, from one tired mum to another, with a few signs that your baby is likely doing just fine, even if you feel like a confused, leaky zombie.
💡 Signs your baby is probably getting enough milk:
1. Plenty of wet and dirty nappies
By day 5, most babies should be having:
5–6+ wet nappies per day
At least 1–2 dirty ones (though some babies love a surprise poop drought – that can be normal too)
If the nappies are happening, milk is going in.
2. Steady weight gain
Babies usually lose a bit of weight in the first few days (normal!), but by 2 weeks old, they’re often back to birth weight and slowly gaining weight don’t need to obsess over the scale, your midwife or HV will track it for you, but steady progress is a good sign.
3. Your baby seems content (for at least a little while)
Yes, babies cry. But if your baby has stretches of time when they’re calm, sleepy, alert, or even kinda happy (?!), that’s a win. A baby who’s constantly screaming or can’t settle might be hungry, but also might be windy, overtired, or just being… a baby.
4. They feed regularly and actively
Newborns often feed every 2–3 hours, but some want to snack every 45 minutes (hello cluster feeding).What matters more:
They’re sucking actively (not just comfort nibbling the whole time)
You can hear swallowing sounds
They release the breast/bottle themselves or seem satisfied after a feed
5. Your boobs feel... different
If you’re breastfeeding, you might notice your breasts feel fuller before a feed, and softer after.(Or at least less like watermelons ready to explode.)
That’s a good sign your baby is removing milk.
⚠️ When to check with a professional:
Baby seems lethargic or hard to wake for feeds
Few wet nappies after day 5
Not gaining weight or losing more than 10%
Crying constantly, especially after feeding
You’re in pain during feeding (nipple trauma, clogged ducts, etc.)
In that case, don’t wait, reach out to your midwife, HV, or breastfeeding support group. You’re not bothering them. They want to help.
💬 From one mum to another…
I used to stare at my baby’s sleepy face mid-feed and wonder, “Is that a real gulp or just a fake suck?”Spoiler: babies are way better at this than we think. And mums are better too.If you’re feeding your baby with love and showing up each day, you’re already doing more than enough.
📸 And just so you know...
If you ever feel like capturing these early days, flaky skin, milk dribbles and all.... I’m a gentle, baby-led newborn photographer based in Wigan.
You're doing great, really even if your top is soaked through right now... I have been there. 🤍
Comments