Trust Your Baby’s Cues: Feeding Is More Than Just Ounces

Why Monitoring the Amount Your Baby Eats Isn’t the Only Thing That Matters

I have no doubt that as a breastfeeding mom, you’ve probably wondered “How do I know if my baby is getting enough milk?” It’s a common concern, especially since breastfeeding doesn’t offer the same visual confirmation as a bottle. Unlike pumping, which lets you measure every ounce, breastfeeding relies on trust—trust in your baby’s cues, trust in your body, and trust in the natural process of breastfeeding.

It’s completely normal to feel unsure, especially if this is your first baby. When you’re surrounded by well-meaning friends and family offering conflicting advice, it can be hard to trust your own instincts. Some might tell you to “just pump and measure,” while others suggest you “top up with formula” to be sure. These suggestions, while often well-intentioned, can create unnecessary stress and make it harder for you to trust both your body and your baby’s natural ability to self-regulate.

The truth is, trusting your baby’s cues and paying attention to signs of contentment, wet diapers, and weight gain is often more reliable than obsessing over exact amounts. It’s also important to remember that breastfeeding is a learning process for both you and your baby. The more you tune into your baby’s needs, the more confident you’ll become in understanding when they are full or still hungry. But here are a few reminders:

Babies Are Built to Self-Regulate

One of the wonders of breastfeeding is that your baby is uniquely designed to communicate their needs. From birth, babies instinctively root, latch, and feed until they’re satisfied. They don’t need a gauge to tell them how much to eat—they stop when they’re full and signal when they’re hungry again.

At the breast, your baby takes exactly what they need. Unlike bottles, which can sometimes encourage overfeeding (since it’s easier to drink quickly), breastfeeding helps your baby naturally regulate their intake. This natural self-regulation is not only essential for the early days but also sets the stage for healthy eating habits throughout life. Learning to recognize and respond to hunger and fullness cues helps babies build a healthy relationship with food, which can have long-lasting benefits.

As your baby grows into a toddler, a teenager, and even an adult, the ability to self-regulate remains crucial for preventing obesity and other eating disorders. By trusting your baby’s natural instincts to stop when they’ve had enough and allowing them to guide their feeding, you’re laying the foundation for healthy eating habits.

When it’s time to wean from breastfeeding and introduce solids, these same principles apply. Trusting your baby’s cues during weaning helps ensure they develop a positive relationship with food, giving them the tools to continue practicing self-regulation as they grow. The confidence you build during breastfeeding will support you as you navigate the transition to solids, making it easier for both you and your baby.

Signs Your Baby is Getting Enough Milk

Instead of focusing on ounces, watch for these signs that your baby is feeding well:

• Frequent Wet and Dirty Diapers: By day 4 or 5, your baby should have at least 6 wet diapers and 3–4 dirty diapers daily. Remember that most of the time, if there is poo, there is probably wee as well, because unlike adults, your baby cannot control their bladder and bowel separately. Both functions are triggered together, so if you notice one, it’s likely the other has also been released, even if it’s not immediately visible. This is perfectly normal and a natural part of how your baby’s body works in the early stages.
• Steady Weight Gain: Babies typically regain their birth weight within 10–14 days and continue to gain weight steadily from there. Remember that It’s normal for babies to lose some weight in the first few days after birth, but the regular and often infrequent feeds in the first week is their way of putting it back on while ensuring you have a healthy supply to meet their growing demands

Weekly weighing can help provide reassurance that your baby is on track. However, it’s important to keep the big picture in mind—sometimes your baby will gain more in one week than another, and that’s OK. As long as your baby’s weight is generally following the growth curve and they’re meeting milestones, you’re doing great. Focus on the overall trend rather than any individual fluctuation.

• Contentment After Feeds: A satisfied baby will typically release the breast on their own and appear calm and relaxed. This is often a great time to change their nappy, rather than before the feed when they might be too hungry and fussy to tolerate a nappy change.Prioritize feeding over changing—your baby will feed more effectively when their immediate hunger is addressed. If you change the nappy mid-feed, you might gently wake your baby. If they do wake, you can offer the breast again, which allows them to take a “top-up.” This approach can help ensure your baby gets a fuller feed, which may keep them content for longer.
• Active Suckling and Swallowing: As your baby drinks, you’ll notice a rhythmic pattern of sucking and swallowing, which indicates they’re actively feeding. This is known as deep, nutritive sucking—strong, steady sucks with brief pauses to swallow. This pattern shows that your baby is drinking milk efficiently and taking in the nutrients they need.

Toward the end of a feed, the rhythm of sucking often changes. The deep, steady sucking may slow down, and you’ll notice longer pauses between sucks as your baby begins to feel full. The sucking may also become shallower and lighter, sometimes with fluttery movements of the jaw. This is often referred to as non-nutritive sucking, which serves to soothe and comfort your baby rather than to actively draw out milk.

When you see this shift in sucking patterns, it’s a good indication that your baby has had enough milk for now. This can be an ideal moment to gently change their nappy, as they are likely more settled and less frantic.

Alertness and Energy Between Feeds: Babies who are getting enough milk will generally be content and alert during their awake times, actively engaging with their surroundings. This could mean making eye contact, responding to sounds, or moving their arms and legs energetically. These behaviors indicate that they are well-fed and have the energy to explore their new world.

Between feeds, well-fed babies often have periods of deep, restful sleep, which are crucial for their growth and development. During these deep sleeps, you might notice that they are calm, with relaxed limbs and steady breathing—a sign that they’re satisfied and comfortable.

Additionally, after a feed, many babies develop what is often called the “milk-drunk look”—a dreamy, glazed-over expression, sometimes paired with a floppy, relaxed posture. This is a delightful sign that they are full, happy, and ready to rest. Recognizing these cues can reassure you that your baby is getting enough milk and thriving.

The Stress of Counting Ounces

When you focus solely on measuring how much milk your baby is getting, it can lead to unnecessary stress and second-guessing. The truth is, every baby’s needs are different. Some babies feed more often for shorter periods, while others might have longer, spaced-out sessions. Both patterns are normal.

Relying on bottles to “measure” feeds can sometimes create unrealistic expectations about how much milk a baby should take. This can make moms question their supply when, in reality, breastfeeding works on a supply-and-demand system. Trusting your baby to regulate their intake is key to establishing a healthy breastfeeding relationship.

Building Confidence in Your Breastfeeding Journey

It’s easy to doubt yourself, especially when advice from well-meaning friends, family, or social media makes you question whether your baby is getting enough milk. Here’s how to build your confidence:

• Trust the Process: Your body was designed to feed your baby, and your baby was designed to communicate their needs.
• Seek Support Early: If you’re unsure or facing challenges, reach out for professional guidance and reassurance.
• Watch for Output, Not Ounces: Wet and dirty diapers are a more reliable indicator than bottle measurements.
• Celebrate Small Wins: Every successful latch, every feeding session—these are milestones worth celebrating.

You’re not meant to do this alone!

Breastfeeding is as much about trust as it is about nourishment. By focusing on your baby’s cues and their ability to self-regulate, you can let go of the pressure to measure every drop.

If you ever feel unsure or overwhelmed, remember, help is just a message away. Our WhatsApp Hotline provides 24/7 support from professional midwive and lactation specialist Karen Wilmot and her team, ensuring you get the reassurance you need.