A comfortable and effective latch helps your baby transfer milk and helps protect your nipples from unnecessary pain or damage.
Some signs of a good attachment include:
● Baby's mouth is wide open.
● Baby takes in a good amount of breast tissue.
● Chin is close to or touching the breast.
● Lips are flanged outward.
● You can hear or see swallowing.
● Breastfeeding is comfortable after the initial latch.

Newborn babies generally breastfeed frequently often around 8–12 times or more in 24 hours.
Rather than watching the clock, learn to recognise your baby's early feeding cues.
These may include:
● Stirring or waking
● Opening their mouth
● Moving their tongue
● Bringing hands towards their mouth
● Rooting or turning towards the breast

Crying is a late feeding cue.

Responding to early feeding cues can make it easier for your baby to latch and feed effectively.

One of the most common breastfeeding concerns is:
"How do I know my baby is getting enough?"

You cannot accurately measure breast milk intake by looking at the breast or judging how full your breasts feel. Instead, healthcare professionals look at several indicators, including:
● Effective feeding and swallowing
● Your baby's wet and dirty nappies
● Weight patterns
● Baby's behaviour and alertness
● Breastfeeding frequency
● Milk transfer during feeds

A reassuring reminder
Soft breasts do not automatically mean low milk supply. As breastfeeding becomes established, breasts often become softer while continuing to produce plenty of milk.

Nappies provide useful information about how your baby is feeding and hydrating.
During the first few days, the number and appearance of wet and dirty nappies change as your milk production increases and your baby's intake grows.
Your baby's stools typically change from:

Meconium → transitional stools → yellow/mustardy breastfed stools.

Wet nappies should also gradually increase over the first several days.

Good to know
Rather than focusing on one nappy, healthcare professionals look at the overall pattern of feeding, nappies, behaviour and weight. If your baby has significantly fewer wet nappies than expected, is very sleepy or difficult to wake for feeds, or you are concerned about feeding, seek professional advice promptly.

Supply and demand
Breast milk production works largely on a supply-and-demand principle. When milk is removed from the breast regularly and effectively, your body receives signals to continue producing milk.

Milk removal can happen through:
● Breastfeeding
● Hand expression
● Pumping

Factors that can affect milk production include ineffective attachment, infrequent milk removal, supplementation without maintaining milk removal, certain medical conditions and some medications.

The most important message
Low milk supply is real—but it should be assessed rather than assumed. If you are worried about your milk supply, a lactation consultant can assess feeding, milk transfer, your baby's growth and your individual circumstances.