When you nurse, you can’t see ounces. When you pump, you compare yourself to TikTok moms filling eight-ounce bottles like it’s nothing. We went through that too. Our girl consistently took three and a half ounces while every video online made it seem like babies her age were chugging six. It stressed me out for no reason.
Once I learned the real signs that matter, everything felt calmer.
Growth Is the Most Honest Indicator
If your pediatrician says your baby is growing well, that’s the number one sign they’re getting enough milk. Babies don’t need to sit at the same percentile forever. They just need their own steady pattern.
This was the biggest reassurance for us. Even with “smaller” bottles compared to what TikTok made me think was normal, her growth curve stayed right on track.
Diapers Tell You More Than You Think
Wet diapers are the simplest daily check.
Most babies who are getting enough milk will have:
- At least six wet diapers a day
- Soft consistent poops
- No strong ammonia smell
You don’t have to count every diaper. Just notice the general rhythm.
Baby’s Mood After Feeding
Babies who have had enough milk usually look relaxed and settled.
A few signs:
- Soft hands
- Calm face
- Alert but content
- Releasing the breast or bottle on their own
- Stretching their body
If your baby finishes a feed and looks peaceful, that’s a great sign.
The Way They Feed Matters
Even without seeing ounces, you can tell a lot from how your baby feeds.
Good indicators:
- Strong rhythmic sucking
- Steady swallowing
- Relaxed shoulders
- Pulling off naturally when full
What confused us early on was that she sometimes cried after feeds. I assumed hunger and kept thinking I should increase her bottle size. Over time we realized most of that crying was gas or discomfort, not hunger at all. Once we adjusted her position or held her differently, she calmed almost instantly. It took me a while to separate feeding issues from comfort issues.
Sleep and Wake Patterns
A baby who is getting enough milk usually settles into a predictable rhythm for their age. Nothing strict, just the usual cycle of:
- Eating
- A small awake window
- Sleeping
Babies who wake up frequently can be going through a leap, have gas, be overtired, or need a burp. Hunger is only one possibility. When feeds were going well for us, her sleep naturally smoothed out in a way that felt consistent.
Feeding Frequency
Every baby has their own pattern, but most babies who are getting enough will:
- Show hunger cues at steady intervals
- Finish feeds calmly
- Go back to their typical rhythm after a growth spurt or leap
If your baby has a day where they take smaller bottles or nurse shorter, that doesn’t automatically mean there’s a problem. Babies have variation just like adults.
What Is Not a Reliable Sign
These things look scary but don’t automatically mean low intake:
Short feeds Some babies are efficient.
Pumping output Your pump is not your baby.
Taking a bottle after nursing Babies love to suck for comfort.
Crying after a feed Often related to gas or body discomfort.
Small percentiles Healthy babies exist in every percentile.
The Bigger Picture
Once I stopped comparing and started watching her cues, feeding became a lot easier. The diapers told me more than a pump ever could. Her growth chart told me she was thriving. And the way she relaxed after a feed told me she was full, even if she didn’t take what everyone on TikTok says is “normal.”
Babies are much clearer communicators than we think. Sometimes we just need to learn the signs that matter and let go of the noise around us.