Is My Baby Getting Enough Breast Milk?
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The American Academy of Pediatrics says a newborn getting enough milk should nurse at least 8 to 12 times every 24 hours. 1 The Office on Women's Health says a sign a baby is getting enough is that they are satisfied and content after feedings. 2 Below is what recognised health bodies say about the signs to watch - diapers, stools, weight and feeds - quoted and linked.
Key takeaways
- The AAP says a newborn should nurse at least 8 to 12 times every 24 hours. 1
- The AAP says a baby should have 6 or more wet diapers per day, with nearly colorless or pale yellow urine, by 5 to 7 days old. 1
- The AAP says a newborn should lose no more than 8% to 10% of birth weight before starting to gain again. 1
- The NHS says that if you have concerns, it is important to ask for help early and to speak to a midwife, health visitor or breastfeeding specialist. 3
**A quick, honest note:** we're not medical professionals - everything here was researched by us from the public sources listed at the bottom of this page, and it isn't professional advice. Read our full note ↓
How many feeds and how content?
The American Academy of Pediatrics says a newborn getting enough milk should nurse at least 8 to 12 times every 24 hours. 1 The CDC lists breastfeeding often, 8 to 12 times per day, being able to see and hear the baby swallow, and the baby seeming content after a feeding. 4 The Office on Women's Health says a sign is that the baby is satisfied and content after feedings. 2
What should diapers and stools look like?
The American Academy of Pediatrics says a baby should have 6 or more wet diapers per day, with nearly colorless or pale yellow urine, by 5 to 7 days old. 1 The NHS puts an important boundary on the earliest days: in the first 48 hours, a baby is likely to have only 2 or 3 wet nappies. 3 From day 5 onwards, it says wet nappies become more frequent, with at least 6 heavy, wet nappies every 24 hours. 3
On stools, the American Academy of Pediatrics says that by 5 to 7 days old, a baby's stools should be yellow and loose with small curds, and there should be at least 3 to 4 of these per day. 1 The NHS frames the UK expectation as at least 2: from the fourth day, a baby should pass at least 2 soft, yellow poos the size of a £2 coin every day for the first few weeks. 3
Is weight loss normal?
The American Academy of Pediatrics says a well-nourished newborn should lose no more than 8% to 10% of their birth weight in the first few days after birth, before starting to gain weight again. 1 The CDC says it is normal for breastfed babies to lose some weight in the first week, but that they should be back to their birth weight by day 10 to 14 of life. 4 The Office on Women's Health says that from birth to 3 months old, a baby usually will gain up to 1 ounce of weight each day. 2
When should I get help?
The Office on Women's Health says to visit your baby's doctor for a checkup within three to five days after birth and again when the baby is 2 to 3 weeks old, 2 and to talk to your doctor if you are worried the baby is not getting enough breastmilk. 2 The NHS says that if you have concerns about how much milk your baby is getting, it is important to ask for help early and speak to your midwife, health visitor or a breastfeeding specialist. 3
Frequently asked questions
How do I know my baby is getting enough milk?
The AAP says to nurse at least 8 to 12 times a day; 1 the CDC adds seeing and hearing the baby swallow and the baby seeming content after a feeding. 4
How many wet diapers should a newborn have?
The AAP says 6 or more per day by 5 to 7 days old; the NHS notes only 2 or 3 in the first 48 hours. 1 3
Is it normal for a newborn to lose weight?
The CDC says some weight loss in the first week is normal, but the baby should be back to birth weight by day 10 to 14. 4
When should I get help?
The NHS says to ask for help early and to speak to a midwife, health visitor or breastfeeding specialist; the OWH says to talk to your doctor if you are worried. 3 2
A note from us
We're the team behind Yael & Michal. We are not doctors, nurses, lactation consultants, or psychologists, and nothing here is professional advice.
Everything above was researched by us from public, reputable sources - we name and link every one of them below - and summarized as carefully as we could, as a free resource for other mothers. We do this because we wished something like it had existed for us.
When we name an organisation such as the CDC, the NHS, La Leche League, or the Israeli Ministry of Health, we are only citing their published guidance; it does not mean they endorse, sponsor, approve, or are affiliated with us. They have no involvement with this site, and we never use their logos or seals.
Yael & Michal sells nursing bras, which are comfort garments and not medical devices; we do not claim they prevent, treat, or cure any medical condition. The health information here is written for you as a free resource - it is separate from anything we sell.
We try hard to get it right, and we cite our sources so you can check us. But we are not a medical authority, and this cannot replace talking to a professional who knows you and your baby. Please check anything that matters with your doctor, midwife, or an IBCLC lactation consultant. This content has not been reviewed by a medical professional. Reading this site does not create a doctor-patient relationship, or any other professional relationship, between you and us.
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Sources
- HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics). https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/breastfeeding/Pages/How-to-Tell-if-Baby-is-Getting-Enough-Milk.aspx (retrieved 2026-07-10).
- Office on Women's Health (womenshealth.gov). https://womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/learning-breastfeed/making-breastmilk (retrieved 2026-07-10).
- NHS (National Health Service, UK). https://www.nhs.uk/baby/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding/breastfeeding-problems/enough-milk/ (retrieved 2026-07-10).
- CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). https://www.cdc.gov/infant-toddler-nutrition/breastfeeding/newborn-basics.html (retrieved 2026-07-10).