Signs your baby is not getting enough breast milk

This article is expertly consulted by Master, Doctor Ngo Thi Oanh - Pediatrician - Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Ha Long International General Hospital.

It is very difficult to know exactly how much milk a baby has taken, sometimes it looks like the baby is getting a lot of milk but it is not. That's why mothers should know the signs that the baby is not getting enough milk so that they can have the most timely treatment.

Through the mechanism of lactation, most mothers can have enough milk for their babies, even for twins. Mothers can rely on the following signs to know that their baby is not getting enough breast milk :
1.1 Feeding time is too short or too long The feeding time of each baby, every day is different, but on average lasts from 10-20 minutes.
If your baby feeds for too long, more than 1 hour or too short, less than 10 minutes, it is likely that the baby is not getting enough breast milk.
1.2 Baby slow to gain weight This is the clearest and most accurate sign that the baby is not getting enough milk. After birth, the baby will drop slightly. But after about 10-14 days of age, your baby will reach birth weight and start gaining weight.
From 0-3 months: baby will gain about 100-200g/week. From 3-6 months: increase 100-140g/week. 6-12 months: increase about 60-100g/week. Sometimes babies get sick and may lose weight, this is normal. But if your baby loses too much and doesn't gain weight over time, it means he's not getting enough milk.

1.3 The number of wet and dirty diapers is low Most doctors recommend that parents count the number of wet and soiled diapers each day, which is the simplest sign that the baby is not getting enough milk.
In 1-2 days postpartum: 1-2 wet diapers/day, black green meconium. From 2-6 days postpartum: 5-6 wet diapers/day, light green loose stools. After the 6th day: the number of wet diapers is 6-8 wet diapers/day, bright yellow liquid stools. After the 6th week: 6-8 wet diapers/day, soft yellow-brown stools. If your baby has fewer dirty and wet diapers, it's likely that he's not getting enough milk.
1.4 Milk secretion does not increase after many days After giving birth, the mother's body has not yet produced much milk. New nipples only secrete a little milk, called colostrum, which is opaque yellow. After about 3-4 days, breast milk will be more and milky, milk also has more nutrition. However, if you see that your milk does not increase after a few days after giving birth, then you have not made enough milk for your baby, in other words, the baby is not getting enough milk.

1.5. Breasts Falling While breastfeeding, a mother's breasts become full, a sign of excess milk. However, if you find that your breasts are flattening, feeling "washed" out, you may be experiencing a decrease in milk supply.
1.6. Abdominal and nipple pain while breastfeeding Unless your baby bites you while feeding, pain while nursing is most likely due to the baby latching on to the nipple in the wrong position.
This will lead to the baby not getting enough milk. At this time, mothers should try other positions and positions so that the baby can latch on to the right joint, suck more milk, and the mother has less pain.
You can refer to suitable breastfeeding positions HERE.
1.7 There is no "pins and needles" feeling when the baby is finished feeding Often after breastfeeding, mothers will have a "pins and needles" feeling or a little itching in the breasts. But if you don't have this feeling, chances are your breast milk has decreased and your baby is not getting enough milk.

Lack of milk can happen for two reasons: the mother is not producing enough milk or the baby is suckling poorly
The mother is not producing enough milk for her baby:
The breasts are not fully developed during pregnancy pregnancy - this can happen if your breasts don't have enough milk-producing tissue (milk-producing glands). The mother had to undergo surgery or radiation on the breast. Hormonal imbalance. The mother takes certain medications that affect milk production. Women who have had surgery, such as breast augmentation or breast reduction, may have difficulty producing enough milk for their baby. Some mothers cannot produce milk at all. See also: Mother's diet with a lot of milk, little weight gain
Baby sucks poorly: Common causes of babies not getting enough milk are:
Not being breastfed regularly, leading to reduced or stopped milk production. The baby is not latching on to the breast properly. The baby was separated from the mother too soon. The baby is fed formula milk. During the first few days after birth, many babies are often lethargic, difficult to wake, and so they get less milk than they need. Others have difficulty controlling the muscles involved in sucking and have difficulty getting enough milk from the breast. Babies born prematurely or prematurely also often have difficulty breastfeeding.

Breastfeed often, don't wait until your baby cries to feed. Babies who drink less and sleep a lot may oversleep and miss feeds.
Mothers should choose the right position when breastfeeding and help the baby latch on to the nipple properly. Let your baby decide when to end a feeding.
Feed your baby from both breasts during each feeding. Let your baby suckle at the first breast, only switching to the second breast when he slows down or stops.
Increase the number of feedings: If you have followed these guidelines and your baby still sucks less, you need to increase the number of feedings or find ways to stimulate milk production through manual or pump pumping.
Avoid giving your baby formula or solids too early as this can make your baby tired of breast milk and lead to a decrease in breast milk supply.
Limit the use of pacifiers because this will make the baby feel like he is sucking breast milk and then no longer sucking breast milk.
Mothers can massage their breasts regularly to increase milk production.
Rest and eat enough, healthy, drink plenty of water every day.
Hope the above sharing helps mothers, especially mothers who have given birth for the first time, will no longer be embarrassed in taking care of a newborn. Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for babies, so mothers should exclusively breastfeed babies, at least until 6 months of age.

If you still have questions about infant nutrition or postpartum nutrition, you can contact Vinmec call center or ask questions in the ASK VINMEC DOCTOR section on the page.