How do I tell whether I am producing enough milk for my baby?

Its normal for breasts to not be as full starting around 4-8 weeks, sometimes it happens very suddenly. Its also normal for babies to stop pooping as frequently around 8 weeks. So that's leaves you with peeing.

Honestly though breastfeeding isn't all about food, its actually more about other things like comfort, warmth, and immune support.

I think your baby is eating more right now, maybe a growth spurt. If he weren't getting enough milk he'd be crying.

My breasts feel empty! Has my milk supply decreased?

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/breast-fullness....

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/enoughmilk-older...

~~~ AFTER 6 WEEKS ~~~

WEIGHT GAIN:

If baby is gaining well on mom’s milk alone, then baby is getting enough. More on weight gain. Average weight gain for breastfed babies:

0 - 4 mo 6 oz /week 4 - 6 mo 4 - 5 oz/week 6 - 12 mo 2 - 4 oz/week

WET DIAPERS: 4 - 5+ sopping wet diapers per day.

To feel what a sufficiently wet diaper is like, pour 4-6 tablespoons (60-90 mL) of water into a clean diaper (if baby wets more often, then the amount of urine per diaper may be less). Diapers may be wetter in the morning, especially with older babies. Urine should be pale and mild smelling.

DIRTY DIAPERS: Depends on your child.

Number ranges from many per day to one every 7 – 10+ days. After 4 - 6 weeks, some babies switch to an infrequent stooling pattern. This is normal as long as baby is gaining well, and stools are soft and profuse if several days have passed. More on infant stooling.

OTHER POSITIVE SIGNS: After a feeding, mom’s breast feels softer and baby seems reasonably content. Baby is alert, active and meeting developmental milestones.

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/low-supply.html

Is your milk supply really low?

First of all, is your milk supply really low? Often, mothers think that their milk supply is low when it really isn't. If your baby is gaining weight well on breastmilk alone, then you do not have a problem with milk supply.

It's important to note that the feel of the breast, the behavior of your baby, the frequency of nursing, the sensation of let-down, or the amount you pump are not valid ways to determine if you have enough milk for your baby.

What if you're not quite sure about baby's current weight gain (perhaps baby hasn't had a weight check lately)? If baby is having an adequate number of wet and dirty diapers then the following things do NOT mean that you have a low milk supply:

Your baby nurses frequently. Breastmilk is digested quickly (usually in 1.5-2 hours), so breastfed babies need to eat more often than formula-fed babies. Many babies have a strong need to suck. Also, babies often need continuous contact with mom in order to feel secure. All these things are normal, and you cannot spoil your baby by meeting these needs.

Your baby suddenly increases the frequency and/or length of nursings. This is often a growth spurt. The baby nurses more (this usually lasts a few days to a week), which increases your milk supply. Don't offer baby supplements when this happens: supplementing will inform your body that the baby doesn't need the extra milk, and your supply will drop.

Your baby nurses more often and is fussy in the evening.

Your baby doesn't nurse as long as she did previously. As babies get older and better at nursing, they become more efficient at extracting milk.

Your baby is fussy. Many babies have a fussy time of day - often in the evening. Some babies are fussy much of the time. This can have many reasons, and sometimes the fussiness goes away before you find the reason.

Your baby guzzles down a bottle of formula or expressed milk after nursing. Many babies will willingly take a bottle even after they have a full feeding at the breast. Read more here from board-certified lactation consultant Kathy Kuhn about why baby may do this and how this can affect milk supply. Of course, if you regularly supplement baby after nursing, your milk supply will drop (see below).

Your breasts don't leak milk, or only leak a little, or stop leaking. Leaking has nothing to do with your milk supply. It often stops after your milk supply has adjusted to your baby's needs.

Your breasts suddenly seem softer. Again, this normally happens after your milk supply has adjusted to your baby's needs.

You never feel a let-down sensation, or it doesn't seem as strong as before. Some women never feel a let-down. This has nothing to do with milk supply.

You get very little or no milk when you pump. The amount of milk that you can pump is not an accurate measure of your milk supply. A baby with a healthy suck milks your breast much more efficiently than any pump. Also, pumping is an acquired skill (different than nursing), and can be very dependent on the type of pump. Some women who have abundant milk supplies are unable to get any milk when they pump. In addition, it is very common and normal for pumping output to decrease over time.

Your milk supply is just regulating. You little one is more then likely having a growth spurt and is just building up your milk. Dont worry about how they feel.

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/low-supply.html#...

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/breast-fullness....

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/enough-milk.html

Look over those links. They should answer ALL of your questions!

If your baby is having lots of wet and dirty nappies, then they are getting enough milk!

Your breasts will begin to feel softer and leaks will not be as common as you and your baby develop a breastfeeding routine, which by 8 weeks would be fairly established.

congrats!

I've got enough leftover milk to feed a whole orphanage. My husband even drinks it!