Signs of Successful Milk Production While Breastfeeding

Since my entire days seem to go to breastfeeding now, or trying to get the hang of breastfeeding, I thought I’d share some tidbits of information I’ve picked up along the way. Here is what a number of nurses, lactation consultants and books have taught me about knowing if your breast is producing enough milk for your baby.

First of all, it’s hatd to tell what your breast is doing since you can’t see anything going into the baby. That leaves you with what comes out. If you see plenty of wet diapers and poop, then something is happening.

The number of wet diapers roughly corresponds to the number of days the baby has been alive. At least in the very beginning. As for poops, the thing to look for after the first poops are finished (this is called meconium and is black and sticky as tar) is color and consistency. The poop should be mustard color with little seed like things in it.

You can also easily verify that your baby is being fed by his or her weight gain. Obviously the pediatrician will weigh your baby, but you may find a few newborn help centers that have scales to weigh your baby in between doctor’s visits. Also, here’s a nifty trick – weigh your baby before you feed her, then right after. You can actually see the amount of liquid she takes in by how much weight she’s “gained” in that short time.

Other signs that you use to judge if your baby is eating: their hands/arms, swallowing sounds, and jaw movement.

The hands/arm one is my favorite. Think of a gas gauge. When your baby is empty (i.e. hungry) then his fist is clenched and his arm is in the upright position and very tight. As he eats and gets full, his fist relaxes and his arm starts to move down his body until, when full, it’s lazily hanging out down by his side. When you pick it up, it moves like spaghetti and is totally slack.

While feeding, you should hear swallowing sounds and see his jaw moving as if taking in big gulps. It’s hard to tell the difference between this and the smaller jaw movements that signify non-nutritive sucking (what babies love to do!) but once you start to get used to seeing the big gulps, then you can distinguish between the two much more easily.

And finally, look at your baby’s eyes. Now, the eyes aren’t as telling of a sign as babies tend to drift in and out of sleep while breast feeding. However, an alert baby with eyes open is usually one who is sucking away. Sometimes they still suck with their eyes closed, so do keep that in mind.

Hope this helps – I know it’s been helping me with my baby!

photo credit: ODHD