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Leslie Kowalski Leslie Kowalski

Nursing Effectively & Getting Enough Milk

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Page updated October 2026

Is your baby getting enough milk?

Too often people are told that "latch is good" simply because the baby’s mouth is on the breast. But, this is not the only determinant.

A baby’s latch is good if:

  • Latch is comfortable. Note - if you feel a bit of discomfort but know the baby is getting milk (gaining weight, making diapers), then small discomfort in the early days/weeks might be because you are both learning, but you should be fully comfortable, even feel good, very soon!

  • Baby actively drinks, and eventually sleepily “nibbles” when they are done/satisfied.

  • Baby makes good diaper output (pee and poo).

  • Baby gains weight (after initial/short term weight loss).

  • Your supply increases from colostrum to higher volumes over the first few days/weeks, and meets your baby’s needs.

There are issues with latch if:

  • Latch hurts. Pain, sores and nipple compression (flat, lipstick, etc) are not normal! A painful latch is also probably less effective too (baby taking in no/little milk), which doesn’t support your supply or the baby’s weight gain.

  • Baby not gaining weight or making good diaper output, even though they are latched “all the time”.

  • Baby is clearly hungry and falls asleep as soon as (or quickly after) latching. A sleepy baby is not lazy - they are having trouble getting milk from you, so they go to sleep because they are either fatigued or conserving their energy.

  • Your supply does not increase from colostrum in the first few days to more volume over time. You may be told you have a low supply, however it’s more likely the reverse - that the baby is not latching correctly, not “removing” milk, and therefore not increasing your supply.

  • Baby has jaundice. While, there are other reasons for this to occur, it’s almost always a sign that they are not getting enough milk.

  • There are many phrases that you may here that are honestly pure misinformation and gaslighting - if someone says something to you that doesn’t match what you are experiencing - please ignore them and get help instead. Examples include any of the following (again - these are not true!)

Your nipples need to toughen up. Your baby is lazy. Bottles and pacifiers cause “nipple confusion”. You “must” use a particular position for latch. Your baby will never latch if you do “x”. Your baby doesn’t like breastfeeding. “Latch looks great!” (if you are in pain or baby is not getting milk - it’s not!). Your baby is cluster feeding (sometimes true but not if the baby is not getting milk). You just have low supply (sometimes true of course, but too often for another reason). Your milk is “not in yet” (if it’s the first few days, colostrum is milk!). You have to pump “x” times per day (it needs to be customized for you!). You shouldn’t pump if your baby is latching (again, it needs to be customized for you!). Don’t let your baby use you as a human pacifier” (honestly, this one just burns me up - if it’s comfortable and you both love it - what’s the issue?)

Resources to help

More general lactation and infant feeding resources

  • Kelly Mom - extensive parenting and breastfeeding resources on a wide variety of topics.

  • Droplet - breastfeeding, pumping, hand expression, research info and more. In English or Spanish.

  • La Leche League - articles, links to local support groups and much more.

  • MOBI Motherhood International (extensive list of breastfeeding resources - low supply, tongue/lip ties, sensory issues, dealing with fast flow, dealing with slow flow, baby's oral-motor skills, and so much more)​

And, a final word - have a lactation checkup!

I see many parents AFTER trouble with feeding (breast or bottle), pumping, supply, and for many more reasons. However, all parents - even when feeding is going well - have questions!

Schedule a personalized visit for you and your baby!

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