It is 3am, the room is dim except for the soft glow of the AC display, and your baby has finally drifted off at the breast. There are no millilitre markings on you, nothing to tell you how much went in, and a quiet voice asks: was that enough? Almost every breastfeeding mum wonders this in the early weeks, and the good news is that your baby gives you plenty of clues.
Quick answer: Your baby is very likely getting enough breast milk if they feed around 8 to 12 times in 24 hours, have the expected number of wet and dirty nappies for their age, and are back to their birth weight by about two weeks. Hearing swallowing during feeds and seeing a settled, alert baby between feeds are reassuring signs too.
Key takeaways
- Nappies are your best day-to-day guide: from about day 5, expect at least 5 heavy wet nappies and at least 2 yellow poos every 24 hours.
- Most babies lose a little weight after birth and are back to their birth weight by around 2 weeks.
- 8 to 12 feeds in 24 hours is normal for a newborn. Frequent feeding is not, on its own, a sign of low supply.
- Rhythmic sucking with soft swallowing sounds, and a relaxed baby at the end of a feed, are good signs.
- Get help the same day if wet nappies drop off, poos are still dark after day 4, or your baby is very sleepy and hard to wake for feeds.
What are the signs a breastfed baby is getting enough milk?
No single sign tells the whole story, so look at the picture across a whole day rather than one feed. Midwives check feeding frequency, swallowing, nappies and weight, plus a baby who has alert, wakeful spells, good skin colour and usually seems content after feeds. Your breasts may also feel fuller before a feed and softer afterwards in the first weeks.
Swallowing sounds
At the start of a feed your baby uses quick, light sucks to trigger your let-down. Once milk flows, the rhythm changes to slower, deeper sucks with a short pause, and you may hear a soft "kah". In the first couple of days, while your baby drinks small amounts of colostrum, swallows are quieter and less frequent. That is normal.
Feeding frequency
Newborns have tiny stomachs and breast milk digests quickly, so feeding every 1 to 3 hours is typical. Feeds are rarely evenly spaced: many babies bunch several feeds together in the evening. If that sounds familiar, our cluster feeding survival guide explains why it happens and how to get through it.
How many wet and dirty nappies should a newborn have?
Nappies are the most practical way to see what is going in, because what goes in must come out. This chart follows UK NHS and UNICEF Baby Friendly guidance for breastfed babies. Count across 24 hours, not since midnight.
| Baby's age | Wet nappies (per 24 hours) | Dirty nappies (per 24 hours) |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 to 2 | 1 to 2 or more | At least 1, dark green to black and sticky (meconium) |
| Day 3 to 4 | 3 or more, feeling heavier | At least 2, changing from dark green towards yellow |
| Day 5 to 6 | 5 or more, heavy | At least 2, yellow and often quite runny |
| Day 7 to 28 | 6 or more, heavy | At least 2, yellow, soft or watery, sometimes "seedy" |
A few helpful notes:
- Modern disposable nappies are very absorbent. To learn what "heavy" feels like, pour 2 to 3 tablespoons of water into a dry nappy and compare.
- Small orange or pinkish crystals (urates) can be normal in the first two days. If you still see them after day 3, mention it to your midwife or paediatrician.
- After about 6 weeks, some breastfed babies poo less often. If they are feeding, weeing and gaining weight well, this is usually normal.
How much weight should a breastfed baby lose and regain?
It is normal for babies to lose some weight in the first few days while they pass meconium and your milk comes in. Most are back to their birth weight by around 10 days to 2 weeks, then gain steadily along their own curve on the growth chart.
Your paediatrician will weigh your baby at the early check-ups. A loss of more than about 10%, or not being back to birth weight by two weeks, usually prompts a feeding review. That is not a reason to panic: the fix is often a simple change to latch, positioning or feed frequency. If you are still choosing a doctor, our list of 12 questions to ask a paediatrician in the UAE includes asking about breastfeeding support.
Why does my baby want to feed all the time?
Frequent feeding is how breastfeeding is designed to work: each feed tells your body to make more milk. Growth spurts, often around 2 to 3 weeks and 6 weeks, bring extra-hungry days that settle again. In the UAE summer, your baby may also want shorter, more frequent feeds when it is hot. Breast milk covers their fluid needs, so babies under 6 months do not need extra water.
A few things can make feeds more effective:
- Let your baby finish the first breast before offering the second, rather than switching by the clock. Our guide to foremilk and hindmilk explains why.
- Check the latch. Clicking, a pinched nipple after feeds or pain beyond the first few seconds are worth looking at. This gentle guide to a comfortable latch walks you through it.
- Wake a sleepy newborn for feeds if it has been more than about 3 hours, and use breast compressions to keep them drinking.
When should I get help with breastfeeding?
Trust your instincts. Contact your midwife, paediatrician or a lactation consultant (many UAE hospitals have an in-house lactation team) the same day if:
- Your baby has fewer wet or dirty nappies than the chart above, or no poo for 24 hours in the first few weeks.
- Poos are still dark and sticky after day 4.
- Your baby is very sleepy, hard to wake for feeds, or feeding fewer than 8 times in 24 hours.
- Their skin or the whites of their eyes look increasingly yellow, especially if they are also sleepy.
- Your baby is not back to birth weight by 2 weeks, or weight gain slows.
- Feeds are always very long or very short and your baby never seems satisfied.
- Feeding is painful for you.
Call 998 for an ambulance or go straight to the nearest emergency department if your baby is floppy, difficult to rouse, has a dry mouth and very few wet nappies, a sunken soft spot on the head, or any breathing difficulty.
If supply is the worry, our article on calm, practical ways to support low milk supply is a good next read.
Where Turtees fits in
Honestly, no product can tell you how much your baby drinks at the breast, and you do not need to pump to "check": what you express is not a reliable measure of what your baby takes. Nappies and weight are the real guide.
What can help is feeling comfortable while your milk settles. Our reusable bamboo nursing pads (AED 49 for 6 pads with a mesh laundry bag) catch leaks between feeds. And if your other breast drips while your baby feeds, the T30 In-Bra Milk Saver (AED 129) sits in your bra to collect that let-down, so less goes to waste.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I tell how much milk my baby drinks at the breast?
Not directly, and you don't need to. Instead, look at the overall picture across 24 hours: enough feeds, the right number of wet and dirty nappies for your baby's age, swallowing during feeds and steady weight gain. If those are on track, your baby is getting what they need. Weighing before and after feeds is only done by professionals for specific concerns.
Is it normal for my newborn to feed every hour in the evening?
Yes. Cluster feeding, where several feeds are bunched together, is very common in the evenings during the first weeks and in growth spurts. It doesn't mean your milk has run out. Your baby is simply topping up and stimulating supply. If they are also having plenty of wet and dirty nappies, you can feel reassured.
Should I give my breastfed baby water in the UAE heat?
No. Babies under 6 months who are breastfed get all the fluid they need from breast milk, even in hot weather. Giving water can fill their small stomachs and reduce feeds. Instead, offer the breast more often, keep rooms comfortably cool, and make sure you are drinking enough yourself. Speak to your paediatrician if you notice fewer wet nappies.
Does falling asleep at the breast mean my baby is full?
Often, but not always. Many babies drift off contentedly when full, with relaxed arms and open hands. Very young or jaundiced babies sometimes fall asleep before they have had enough. If your baby dozes off after a few minutes, try breast compressions, changing their nappy or switching sides, then let them feed again if they show interest.
My breasts feel softer now. Has my milk dried up?
Usually not. In the first weeks your breasts often feel very full, but after around 6 weeks your supply adjusts to your baby's needs and they tend to feel softer, even though you are making plenty. Watch your baby rather than your breasts: steady nappies, weight gain and a content baby are what count.
This article is for general information and isn't a substitute for advice from your doctor or paediatrician.
The early weeks are full of questions, and wondering whether your baby is getting enough shows how much you care. Count the nappies, keep your check-ups, and ask for help early whenever something doesn't feel right. We're here with gentle essentials, delivered across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the rest of the UAE.
Turtees is a UAE baby and breastfeeding brand, built by parents and made for families, offering wearable breast pumps, feeding and baby-care essentials with delivery across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the UAE.
