How do I know if my baby is feeding correctly? How do I know if my baby’s well attached?  Your baby’s chin will be touching the breast Your baby’s mouth will be wide open  You might not be able to see the areola (the darker area around the nipple) at all, or there will be more showing above the baby’s top lip You might be able to see that the baby’s lower lip is curled back, although if your baby’s well positioned you might not be able to see  Your baby’s cheeks will be round and full and shouldn’t look sucked in or dimpled at all. There won’t be any smacking or slurping sounds At first your baby’s suck might be quite fast but they will become slower and longer as you feed.

You should feel quite a strong, drawing sensation, which might be a bit uncomfortable at first but it should be painless after a while. 

When your baby’s all full up, they should come off the breast feeling sleepy and satisfied.

Signs that your baby isn’t well attached 

• Your baby’s cheeks are drawn in and dimpled 

• Experiencing pain while you are feeding

• Your baby’s sucking rhythm doesn’t change and remains quick throughout the feed

• If your baby is restless and keeps coming away from your breast, there is a problem with attachment

Skin to skin contact

Having skin-on-skin contact as soon as possible after you’ve given birth is a really good idea. 

Having this close contact as early as possible keeps your baby calm, regulates their breathing and heartbeat and makes the first time you breastfeed easier. 

Is my baby getting enough milk?

The best way to tell if your baby is getting enough milk is to take a look at their nappy. 

After the first few days your baby will be having around six wet nappies a day. Your baby’s poo will change a lot during their first week, starting off black to dark brown and then turning to a runny, mustard colored poo. 

After the first couple of weeks the best way to tell if your baby is getting enough milk is by monitoring their weight gain. 

Resources

How can I tell if breastfeeding is going well?

If you do have any concerns please contact your Midwife/Health Professional.

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