09/12/2025
If your baby isn’t growing well on breast milk alone, it’s not because your milk is missing nutrients. Breast milk is designed to be complete nutrition for babies. It’s the gold standard. 💛
When we see slower weight gain, the issue is usually volume, not quality. Babies may not be getting enough ounces because of things like:
⏳ Limiting time at the breast: cutting feeds short can mean baby doesn’t get enough. 15 minutes a side can limit some from getting a full feeding
📅 Strict schedules: bodies don’t run on timers, and babies especially need flexibility. Babies want to eat every 1, 2, or 3 hours and not in perfect increments. They cluster feed more often during growth spurts as well
🔄 Eat/play/sleep routines: these can unintentionally space feeds too far apart. Most babies eat a breastfeeding meal when they wake up, play and socialize, and breastfeed a snack before going down to nap
🌙Sleep training or skipping night feeds: some babies still need those calories overnight. Night feedings account for 20% or more of breastfeeding baby’s total calorie intake through the first birthday! Over 80% or babies wake to feed!!
👉 The takeaway: breast milk doesn’t come in “skinny” or “fatty.” If baby needs more growth, we look at how often and how much milk they’re actually getting, not whether your milk is “good enough.”
Your milk is enough. 💪 Sometimes babies just need more access to it.
