I want to know if my breasts are making milk normally. Do I have enough milk?

This is a common breastfeeding concern. Many women wonder if their experiences are within the "normal" range. Here are some common concerns:

My breasts are no longer leaking. Am I not making enough milk? Leaking has no relationship to how much milk a mother is making. Once your milk supply is well established, leaking normally diminishes or ceases. Some mothers experience leaking longer than others.

When I pump I find that one breast produces more milk than the other. Is something wrong? Every woman's breasts are a little different, and since humans are not symmetrical, breasts aren't either. It is common for one breast to have more milk-producing tissue than the other. In fact, sometimes babies will prefer the more- or the less-productive breast, and this is perfectly normal.

My breasts no longer feel "full" when it is time for a feeding. Is my milk supply decreasing? When a mother's milk supply adjusts to her baby's needs, the feelings of fullness or engorgement she may have felt early on will subside.

I no longer feel the let-down, or milk-ejection reflex. This may occur as time goes on. Some mothers do not feel a let-down at all, but they can tell by watching their baby's pattern of suck and swallow when their let-down is occurring.

Breastfeeding your baby is meant to be an enjoyable experience. If you have any concerns, contact your local La Leche League Leader or Group for support and information. At LLL meetings you can talk with other mothers who have the same concerns, and you all learn from each other.

Resources for Additional Information

This FAQ, "How Can I Tell If My Baby Is Getting Enough Milk" also answers the question of whether you have enough milk. More information on various milk supply issues is found on our Web resource page on milk supply.

THE WOMANLY ART OF BREASTFEEDING, published by La Leche League International, is the most complete resource available for the breastfeeding mother. It is available from the LLLI Online Store or from your local Leader.

Last updated Friday, October 13, 2006 by njb.

Page last edited Sun Oct 14 09:29:21 UTC 2007.