Most mothers make enough milk for their babies for as long as they wish to breastfeed. What is really happening when:
You pump or hand express only small amounts of milk
Pumping or hand expression may not work as well as your baby does at getting milk. The milk you get from pumping is not a good way to measure your milk supply. Your baby is best at getting breast milk out.
Learn more about expressing and storing your milk.
Your baby is feeding often
It is normal for your baby to eat eight or more times in a day. Babies have small stomachs.
- Babies may eat different amounts at each feeding
- Feeding patterns can change from morning to evening and day to day
- You may feed your baby more in the evening, helping them to prepare for longer sleeps at night
- Your baby may cry or fuss for reasons other than hunger; always try to breastfeed first to see if your baby is hungry
- Babies have regular growth spurts that will make them more hungry
Your breasts start to feel softer
After giving birth, your breasts make more milk than your baby needs. As your baby grows, your body adjusts milk production to meet your baby’s needs.
- It is normal for your breasts to feel less full at this stage
- If your baby continues to grow well, you are making enough milk for your baby
Your baby is having shorter feedings
It is normal for older babies to feed for a shorter amount of time. It is normal for some feedings to be short and others to be longer.
- As your baby grows, they get better at breastfeeding
- Some babies can drink a lot of milk in a very short time