It’s one of the most common things new mums worry about, and honestly, it makes complete sense. You can’t measure what a breastfed baby is taking in, and even with formula, it can feel impossible to know if those numbers on the tin actually mean anything for your baby specifically.
The short answer is: there are a few reliable signs that tell you far more than you might think.
What To Look For Instead Of Ounces
When a newborn is feeding well, you’ll usually see a handful of consistent signs.
- They’ll have at least six to eight wet nappies in a 24-hour period from around day four or five.
- Their urine should be pale, not dark or concentrated.
- They’ll be passing stools regularly in those early days, and for breastfed babies in particular, frequent loose yellow stools are a really good sign in the first few weeks.
Beyond nappies, watch how your baby behaves after a feed. A baby who has had enough will generally come off the breast or bottle looking relaxed and settled. Their hands, which are often clenched when they’re hungry, tend to open up when they’re satisfied. They’ll have periods of alertness and calm in between feeds, rather than seeming constantly unsettled or frantic.
Weight is another piece of the puzzle, though it’s worth knowing that most newborns lose a little weight in the first few days after birth. That’s completely normal. What you’re looking for is that they regain their birth weight by around two weeks, and continue to grow steadily after that. Your maternal child health nurse will track this at every visit, so you don’t have to figure it out alone.
What Hunger Cues Actually Look Like
This one catches a lot of mums off guard. By the time a baby is crying, they’re already past hungry and into distressed territory, which makes latching and settling much harder. The earlier hunger cues are subtler: rooting (turning their head and opening their mouth), bringing their hands to their face, sucking on their fist, or just becoming more alert and restless.
Feeding in response to those earlier cues, rather than waiting for a full cry, generally makes feeds calmer and more effective for both of you.
When To Trust Your Gut And Call Someone
If your baby seems consistently unsettled after feeds, isn’t producing enough wet nappies, is losing weight or not regaining it, or you’re simply not sure, please don’t sit with that worry. Call your maternal child health nurse or GP. That’s exactly what they’re there for.
Feeding challenges are incredibly common and almost always solvable with the right support. Lactation consultants in particular can make a huge difference if breastfeeding feels like a struggle.
As paediatric nurses, this is the kind of question our team gets asked all the time, at our sessions and outside of them. You’re not overthinking it. It’s one of the hardest parts of those first few weeks, and it gets easier.