Nursing Effectively & Getting Enough Milk
Table of Contents for all blog posts
Is your baby getting enough milk?
Too often people are told that "latch is good" simply because the baby’s mouth is on the breast. But, this is not the only determinant.
There are issues with latch if:
Latch hurts - don’t let anyone gaslight you on this - pain, sores and nipple compression (flat, lipstick, etc) are not normal! And a painful latch is usually less effective - which can compromise your milk supply, the baby’s intake and more.
Baby is not gaining even though they are latched “all the time” - a sleepy baby is not “lazy”, they are having trouble getting milk from you.
Your supply is not rising from colostrum in the first few days to more and more volume. You may be told you have a low supply and that’s why the baby is not gaining. However, it’s more likely the reverse - the baby is not latching correctly, not “removing” milk and therefore not driving your supply up.
Baby has jaundice - this is a clear sign that the baby is not getting enough milk.
A baby’s latch is good if:
Latch does not hurt (I’ll accept a bit of discomfort at the start of latch because you are both learning - but it should be ultimately fully comfortable and even feel good )
Baby is actively drinking (not sleepily “nibbling”)
Baby is getting milk, making good diaper counts and gaining weight (after short term weight loss).
Your supply is rising from colostrum in the first few days to more and more volume.
Resources to help
Counting diapers and how to see if baby is drinking or nibbling
Breast compressions while latching to help give baby more milk and increase supply.
