Is My Breastmilk Enough? Stages of Breastmilk and Signs Your Baby Is Feeding Well
- Samantha Pieterse
- Feb 7, 2024
- 9 min read
Updated: Feb 22
Have you found yourself asking:
When does my milk actually come in?
Is colostrum really enough for my baby?
How do I know if my baby is getting enough breastmilk?
These questions are all common, especially in those first few days when everything feels new, emotional, and slightly overwhelming.
Breastfeeding doesn’t come with a measuring jug. You can’t see how many millilitres your baby is drinking. You can’t track it the way you would with a bottle. And because of that, it’s easy to doubt yourself.
Here's something interesting: breastmilk isn’t one fixed substance. It isn’t the same on day one as it is on day fourteen. It isn’t even the same at the beginning of a feed as it is at the end.
Your milk changes, on purpose.
It changes over the first few days after birth. It changes over the first few weeks as your supply establishes. It even changes during a single feeding session to match your baby's needs at that moment.
From the small but powerful drops of colostrum to mature milk that adapts as your baby grows, your body is working behind the scenes in ways that are both complex and beautifully designed. When you understand how these stages work, breastfeeding starts to feel less mysterious. You begin to recognise what’s normal, what’s expected, and when you might need a little extra support.
The 3 Stages of Breastmilk
Breastmilk isn’t just one fixed recipe. It changes over time to match your baby’s needs at every stage. From those first golden drops of colostrum to the rich, nutrient-packed mature milk, each phase plays a special role in your baby’s growth and immune support. Let’s break it down stage by stage.
Colostrum (Day 0 – 3 After Birth)
Colostrum is the very first milk you produce after birth. It’s thick, yellow, and sticky, and you’ll quickly notice that you only make a very small amount at a time. This often surprises new moms, especially if you're wondering, “When will my milk come in?”
In the first few days, your milk hasn’t “come in” yet in large volumes.
Your baby’s stomach on day one is tiny, about the size of a cherry, and can only hold around 5–7 mL at a time. By day two, it stretches to roughly 20–25 mL. They simply don’t need large volumes yet. So the small amounts of colostrum your body makes are perfectly matched to your baby’s stomach size.
Low volume is physiological.
Colostrum may be small in quantity, but it is incredibly powerful. It’s highly concentrated with nutrients, antibodies, and immune factors that help protect your baby from infection. It lines and seals the gut to reduce the absorption of harmful bacteria, acts as a gentle laxative to help pass meconium, and supports stable blood sugar levels in those first crucial days.
The slower flow of colostrum is also intentional. It gives your baby time to practise sucking and swallowing, and gives both of you space to learn breastfeeding together. These early feeds are skill-building.
For most moms, fuller, whiter milk, what we call transitional milk, starts to increase around day 3 to 5 after birth. That’s typically when moms say their milk has “come in.” But until then, those golden drops of colostrum are exactly what your baby needs.
Small amounts. Big impact.
Transitional Breastmilk (Day 3–14 After Birth)
Transitional milk is the stage between colostrum and mature milk. It doesn’t switch overnight. It gradually replaces colostrum over several days. You may notice changes in both colour and volume during this time.
For most moms, this is when they say their milk is “coming in.”
Milk coming in usually happens around days 3 to 5 after birth, although it can be slightly earlier or later depending on the birth, feeding frequency, and individual variation. Your breasts may feel fuller, warmer, heavier, or even slightly engorged as milk volume increases.
The colour of your milk also changes. Instead of the thick, golden colostrum, transitional milk becomes whiter or pale, creamy yellow. It still contains protective antibodies, but the composition begins shifting to include more fat, lactose, and calories to support your baby’s growing energy needs.
This stage is when feeding patterns may change, too. Babies often cluster feed during this time. This doesn't happen because you don’t have enough milk. It happens because frequent feeding helps regulate supply. The more milk that is removed, the more your body learns how much to make.
By around two weeks postpartum, most mothers have moved into established, mature milk production. But remember, every breastfeeding journey has its own rhythm.
Mature Milk (From About 2 Weeks Onwards)
By around 10 to 14 days after birth, most moms have moved into what we call mature milk. This is when your milk production has settled into an established milk supply, meaning your body has adjusted to your baby’s feeding patterns and is now producing milk more predictably.
Mature milk still isn’t static. It continues to adapt to your baby’s needs.
Compared to colostrum, mature milk contains more carbohydrates (mainly lactose) and fats to support rapid growth and brain development. The protein concentration is slightly lower than in colostrum, but still perfectly balanced for your baby’s stage.
The fat content of mature milk also varies from feed to feed. At the beginning of a feed, milk is slightly thinner and more hydrating. As your baby continues feeding and effectively drains the breast, the milk becomes creamier and higher in fat. That’s why it’s usually helpful to allow your baby to finish the first breast before switching sides. This helps them access the fuller-fat milk toward the end of the feed.
Once your supply is established, production becomes largely demand-driven. This means the more milk your baby removes, the more your body makes, and if feeds are skipped regularly, supply can gradually decrease.
Your body doesn't work on a schedule. It’s constantly responding to stimulation and milk removal. Frequent, effective feeding is what keeps your supply steady.
And even after supply feels “settled,” your milk continues to adjust. It can change during growth spurts, illness, teething, or even hot weather. Mature milk may be called “established,” but it is still dynamic and responsive.
How do I Know if I Have Enough Breastmilk?
This is one of the most common questions new moms ask.
Unlike bottle feeding, you can’t see exactly how much milk your baby is drinking. There’s no measuring line, no millilitres to count. This uncertainty is where doubt creeps in.
Luckily, there are reliable signs that tell us whether your baby is getting enough breastmilk or not.
In the early days, remember that your baby’s stomach is very small. On day one, it holds about 5–7 mL at a time (roughly the size of a cherry). By day two, it increases to around 20–25 mL. At one month, it reaches about 80–100 mL.
So no, your baby does not need large volumes at first.
Frequent feeding, especially cluster feeding, is normal and doesn't necessarily mean you don’t have enough milk. Babies feed often because their stomachs are small and because frequent feeding helps establish your milk supply.
Now, let’s look at what actually helps us know if your supply is enough.
Signs You Have Enough Breastmilk and Your Baby Is Feeding Well
Your baby is gaining weight steadily.
After an initial drop in the first few days, most babies regain their birth weight by 10–14 days and continue to grow steadily from there. Growth charts are your best friend here—ask your clinic to track this at each visit.
Your baby has plenty of wet nappies.
From day 5 onwards, expect at least 5–6 wet nappies every 24 hours. If the urine is pale yellow and doesn’t have a strong smell, that’s a great sign of good hydration.
Baby poops regularly.
Young breastfed babies usually poop at least once or twice a day (some do even more!). Yellow, soft stools are the norm by the end of the first week.
You can hear or see swallowing during feeds.
Look for rhythmic sucking and swallowing sounds once your milk has come in. It’s that little pause after a suck that signals a swallow.
Breasts feel full before feeds and softer afterward.
This change often means milk is being transferred well.
Baby is calm and satisfied after most feeds.
They don’t need to be milk-drunk zombies, but they should seem content and not still acting ravenous after a feed.
Signs That You Don't Have Enough Breastmilk
Some signs do need a closer look, though. On their own, these signs don’t always mean low supply, but they do mean you should have your baby and your supply checked.
Very few wet nappies after day 5
Dark, strong-smelling urine
No stools or very infrequent stools in the early weeks
Ongoing poor weight gain or weight loss beyond the first two weeks
Persistent lethargy or unusual sleepiness
Baby is constantly unsettled after feeds and never seems satisfied
Important: These signs don’t always mean your milk supply is low. Sometimes the issue is latch, milk transfer, tongue tie, or another medical concern. That’s why having an assessment is important.
If you’re unsure, you don’t have to sit at home and worry. A quick weight check and feeding observation at Mums & Bums can give you reassurance. And we're always here for guidance.
Should I Switch Breasts During Breastfeeding?
Many parents ask: Do I need to feed from both sides every time, or should I switch breasts halfway through? Unlike formula, the composition of breastmilk changes during a feed. Your milk isn’t identical from start to finish. It naturally shifts as your baby continues drinking.
At the beginning of a feed, milk tends to be slightly thinner and more hydrating. As the feed continues and the breast is drained, the milk becomes creamier and higher in fat.
This is a normal, gradual change, not two completely different types of milk, but part of the same feeding process. For most babies, the simplest approach is to let them feed actively on the first breast until they slow down, come off on their own, or seem satisfied. If they still show hunger cues, offer the second breast.
Some babies will take both sides. Some will be full after one. Both patterns can be completely normal.
Foremilk vs Hindmilk Explained
You may hear the terms foremilk and hindmilk used to describe milk at the beginning and end of a feed.
Foremilk is the milk your baby receives at the start of a feed. It is slightly lower in fat and higher in lactose, which provides quick energy and hydration. It plays an important role in digestion and fluid balance.
As feeding continues, fat content gradually increases. This richer milk is often referred to as hindmilk. It contains more calories per millilitre and helps support satiety, growth, and brain development.
It’s important to understand that this isn’t a strict “two-milk system.” There isn’t a sharp line where foremilk suddenly becomes hindmilk. The fat content rises progressively as milk is removed from the breast. Most babies naturally regulate this well when allowed to feed without being timed or switched too quickly. There’s no need to overthink it.
If your baby seems satisfied and is gaining weight appropriately, they are getting the balance they need. If your baby is still hungry after finishing the first breast, simply offer the second. At the next feed, start with the side that was last used or partially used to help keep the supply comfortable and balanced.
Breastfeeding works best when it’s responsive rather than rule-based.
Final Thoughts: Trust Your Body, Trust Your Baby
Breastfeeding is ever-changing, and so is your breastmilk. It is designed to grow with your baby. From colostrum to mature milk, foremilk to hindmilk, every drop is important in nourishing and protecting your little one.
If you’re ever unsure whether your baby is feeding well or whether you’re making enough milk, remember that support is just a clinic visit or WhatsApp message away. At Mums & Bums, we’re here to guide you.
Every mom’s feeding experience is unique. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer or “perfect” way to feed your baby. But when you understand how your milk works, and when you’re supported in the process, it becomes a whole lot easier to trust the incredible job your body is doing.
Need Help With Your Baby's Latch or Weight Gain?
FAQs About Breastmilk and Milk Supply
When does breastmilk change from colostrum to mature milk?
Breastmilk gradually changes from colostrum to mature milk over the first 10–14 days after birth. Colostrum is produced in the first few days, followed by transitional milk around day 3–5 when your milk “comes in.” By about two weeks postpartum, most mothers have established mature milk production.
How do I know if my baby is getting enough breastmilk?
Your baby is likely getting enough breastmilk if they are gaining weight steadily, producing at least 5–6 wet nappies a day after day 5, passing regular stools, and appearing satisfied after most feeds. Hearing swallowing during feeds and noticing your breasts soften afterward are also reassuring signs. If weight gain is appropriate, milk intake is usually adequate.
Should I feed from one breast or both?
Most babies can feed well from one breast per session, but some will naturally take both. The best approach is to let your baby finish the first breast before offering the second. If they are still showing hunger cues, offer the other side. Start the next feed on the breast that was last used or partially used.
What is the difference between foremilk and hindmilk?
Foremilk is the milk at the beginning of a feed and is slightly lower in fat and higher in lactose, providing hydration and quick energy. Hindmilk comes later in the feed as fat content gradually increases, making it creamier and more calorie-dense. Both are part of the same feeding process and work together to meet your baby’s needs.
Can I have enough milk if my breasts feel soft?
Yes. Soft breasts do not necessarily indicate a low milk supply. Once your milk supply becomes established, breasts often feel softer because your body is regulating production more efficiently. The most reliable signs of adequate supply are weight gain, wet nappies, and overall baby wellbeing.
