At some point during breastfeeding, a doubt will arise: is my milk weak? Even the most experienced mothers sometimes question this, but the first thing mothers should know is that there is no such thing as weak breast milk. Each woman produces the milk that is necessary for her baby and in the right quantity1.

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There are some factors that can raise doubts about whether weak breast milk exists. Some of them include:Incorrect latch during breastfeeding – When the latch is incorrect, the baby only puts the nipple into their mouth, and because of that, cannot suck much milk. What happens next can make the mother think that her breast milk is weak, as the baby needs to nurse all the time and becomes irritable because they can’t get enough milk.Breast milk is lighter – Another factor that can make mothers question their milk is when the baby wants to feed at short intervals. But the explanation for this is that: breast milk is digested faster than cow’s milk – the type used in infant formula. This is why feedings are frequent.Frequent crying – it is certain that babies are not born speaking, so in the first months crying is the only way they can communicate. The baby wants to feed all the time because everything is new, not because breast milk is weak. The baby gets tired, stops, falls asleep, and, since they haven’t fed as much as they could, asks again by crying.

How to Tell If Breast Milk Is Satisfying the Baby?

To be sure that there is no such thing as weak breast milk and that the amount being fed is ideal for your baby, observe a few things:

Color of stools

The color of a baby’s stool during the first week of life tells you if they are receiving plenty of colostrum (which is the first breast milk)2.

  • During the first 2 days, the baby’s stools are dark, greenish, black, and sticky, called meconium. Breastfeeding your baby whenever they ask helps them eliminate meconium.
  • On the third day, when the baby receives more colostrum, the stools become lighter, in a greenish-brown color.
  • By the 4th and 5th day, as breast milk production increases, the stools turn yellow. The stools of a baby who is fed only breast milk are yellow and may be grainy, creamy or soft.

Number and amount of stools

Normally, the baby will have 1 or 2 bowel movements during the first 2 days.

  • After the first 2 or 3 days and up to 4 weeks, the baby should poop at least 2 times a day. If they poop at least 2 times a day, each one should be about the size of two tablespoons. Many babies have a bowel movement after every feeding.
  • After the first 4 weeks of the baby’s life, the bowel pattern may change to one movement every 1 to 10 days. If the baby’s abdomen is soft, they are happy, and breastfeeding is adequate, resulting in 6 to 8 well-filled diapers every 24 hours, this reduction in frequency is normal.

Urine color

If the baby is getting enough breast milk, urine should be light yellow and odorless. Cut the plastic on the back of a disposable diaper to check the urine color. This will help you be sure the baby is getting enough breast milk. The urine should not be dark yellow. Sometimes babies will have pinkish spots in the urine during the first days.

Amount of urine and number of wet diapers

During the first 6 days, you should have as many wet diapers as the baby’s age in days. The diaper should get heavier each day as it gets filled with urine, especially after day three and as breast milk production increases. By the end of the first week of life, the baby should generate between 6 and 8 wet diapers in 24 hours.

Baby’s weight and height

The pediatrician should carefully monitor the baby’s weight and height to make sure there is no such thing as weak breast milk and that the baby is growing well. This weight is checked five days after leaving the hospital and then at the monthly check-ups.

Baby’s sleep patterns

During the first month of life, the baby should wake up to feed between 8 and 12 times in 24 hours, or at intervals of 1 to 3 hours. It is normal to have one period of continuous sleep for 5 hours within a 24-hour period3.

Breast milk is digested more easily and quickly than formula, which is why your baby may get hungry sooner. The baby feeds for 15 to 25 minutes. As the baby grows, the number of feedings will gradually decrease to between 6 and 8 in 24 hours.

What to Do to Increase Breast Milk?

If you still feel that your breast milk is weak or insufficient, there are some actions you can take to increase the amount of milk for your baby:

  • Breastfeed on demand, without worrying about how much time the baby spends at the breast
  • Massage your breasts in the shower; warm water stimulates milk production
  • Drink plenty of water, teas, and natural juices (citrus juices are not recommended in the first few days)
  • Express milk between feedings; the constant emptying of the breasts sends a signal to your brain to produce more milk
  • Maintain a balanced diet
  • Sleep as much as possible
  • Don’t get stressed. Anxiety and stress decrease milk production

If this doesn’t work, it’s good to talk to your doctor about medications that increase milk production.

Watching your baby is the best way to know your milk is good and enough for him. Even if your breasts don’t fill up like in the first days, or because the baby cries frequently. If the baby sleeps well, is calm, and gaining weight, then there is nothing to worry about.

See also: Why Is Breast Milk So Important?
Photos: Anton Nossik