If there’s one question new breastfeeding moms are googling at 3am, it’s this one. You can’t see how much your baby is taking in at the breast, and you’re not sure how much milk you should have at the end of a pumping session. Here’s the good news, your body has been preparing for this longer than you think! Your baby comes with a built-in communication system, and there’s clear signs you can look for that will tell you more than a bottle ever could. Let’s walk through all of it. 

You’ve been making milk longer than you realize. Your body actually begins making milk during pregnancy, around the second trimester. Your body starts producing colostrum early in pregnancy and it’s waiting for the moment your baby is born. You don’t have to do anything to make it happen, it’s already there. This is important because some moms panic (and even some healthcare providers) in the early hours and days when they don’t see much coming out. Colostrum is produced in small amounts by design, and it’s exactly what your baby needs. 

Colostrum is thick and concentrated. A full term newborn’s stomach is roughly the size of a cherry and holds around 5-10ml at a time. So small amounts of colostrum are jam packed with everything they need from nutrition to immune factors, to powerful antibodies. Your milk transitions anywhere from days two to five, and you may notice your breasts feeling fuller and heavier. This is what most people refer to as milk “coming in”, even though it’s technically only transitioning to a higher volume of milk and less concentrated. By around two weeks postpartum, most moms are producing mature milk and this is the milk your body will continue to make throughout your breastfeeding journey. 

Here’s the thing about breastmilk volumes, they plateau (and it’s a good thing!). Around two to four months postpartum, you may begin to notice your pumping output isn’t dramatically increasing the way it did before, or your breasts may start to feel softer and not quite as full. This is generally not a supply problem. This is when your milk supply regulates. Your baby’s tummy goes from cherry sized (5-10ml per feed) to ping pong ball sized (1-1.5oz) to the size of a large egg (2.5oz+) by the end of month one. So the feeds start out small and frequent, then increase, then the volume plateaus. This is because breastmilk is alive and changes as your baby grows to meet their needs. The fat content, protein makeup, and caloric density of your milk constantly shifts and because of this, the volume of breastmilk your baby needs doesn’t keep climbing the way it does with formula feeding. With formula, the only way to increase caloric and nutritional intake is to increase volume. This is also why it’s important not to compare your milk output to a bottle of formula you may see in the hospital or compare it with your friend who is using formula. Once your baby reaches that plateau, they’re usually only drinking 3-4 ounces per feed and that’s around how much they’ll need per feed for the rest of your breastfeeding journey. 

Let’s talk about learning your baby's language. Hunger cues are important because this is how your baby communicates with you. Crying can be a late sign of hunger and if you’re still in the early stages of breastfeeding, this can make getting a great latch a challenge. Responding to early hunger cues can be super helpful. Early hunger cues can look like moving hands towards the mouth, rooting, lip smacking or licking, increased alertness, or clenched fists. Active hunger cues can look like fussiness, stretching or squirming, and more persistent rooting. Catching those early cues can transform feeding from a stressful scramble to a calm, connected experience. 

So let’s get down to it, how can you tell when your baby is full? Just as important as knowing when your baby is hungry is knowing when they’re done. Signs of fullness can be slowing or stopping sucking, relaxing their hands (fists open and go soft), and becoming drowsy and relaxed. A baby who was tense and actively feeding will often physically soften when they’re satisfied. 

There’s also signs you can look out for to tell you feeding is going well. Diaper output, because what goes in must come out. By day five or six, you should be seeing at least six wet diapers and several dirty diapers within 24 hours. Most newborns lose up to 7-10% of their birth weight in the first few days so we’re looking for them to be back to birth weight by 10-14 days. Audible swallowing during feeds is a great sign. Acting satisfied after a feeding. And last but certainly not least, breast changes. If your breasts felt full before a feed, feeling softer after is a good sign that milk is being removed. 

So when should you reach out for help? Trust your instincts, if something feels off, it never hurts to reach out. If your baby is feeding very frequently without seeming satisfied, isn’t producing adequate diapers, has lost more than 10% of birth weight, or you’re in pain that doesn’t resolve, reach out to an IBCLC. They can help determine if your baby is transferring milk and give you real, personalized information rather than guesswork. 

You don’t have to figure this out alone, and you don’t have to wait until something goes wrong to get support. The uncertainty of not being able to see a measurement is real, and it’s one of the hardest parts of early breastfeeding for many moms. But your baby is communicating with you constantly, your body is responding, and the signs that feeding is going well are there if you know what to look for. 

You’ve got this! 

This blog is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or a certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) for personalized support.