How long does it take to produce breast milk after each feeding

Q: How do I know my breast is empty?

How do I know whether my breasts are empty? Theres no test or way to know for sure. In general, though, if you gently shake your breasts and they feel mostly soft and you dont feel the heaviness of milk sitting in them, youre probably fine.

Breastfeeding Your Baby

For the first 2 to 5 days after your baby is born, you will make a small amount of colostrum, which is all a healthy term baby needs. Colostrum is a thick, rich milk that is high in nutrients. Around day 3 through 5, your milk will come in. Here are some things that may cause a delay of your milk coming in:

Table of Contents Show

On this page
What are some reasons for a low supply?
Typical baby behaviour
What is normal for mum?
How do I know that baby is getting enough milk?
If your supply is low
How to increase your supply
Support this browser is being discontinued for Pregnancy, Birth and Baby
How long after feeding does breast milk replenish?
How do I know my breast is empty?

Severe stress
Cesarean (surgical) delivery
Bleeding after birth
Obesity
Infection or illness with fever
Diabetes
Thyroid conditions
Strict or prolonged bed rest during pregnancy

Milk supply depends on demand (milk removal.) Feeding frequently, when your baby shows hunger cues, is the best way to have a good supply. If you are having trouble with delayed milk production or a decrease in the amount of milk, then first take a look at the number and length of your feedings. And make sure that your baby is able to put his or her mouth around your nipple to nurse (latch on) and can transfer milk from your breast.

If you have a delay in your milk coming in, don’t feel discouraged. Continue to express milk. That means removing milk from your breasts with a breast pump or by hand. And continue to breastfeed often, even if you are supplementing with formula for a few days. Babies who are premature or jaundiced are especially likely to need formula temporarily.

Sometimes a mother has a health condition that may temporarily delay the large increase in milk production usually seen between 3 to 5 days following birth. These mothers may not begin to produce large amounts of milk until 7 to 14 days after giving birth. If this happens to you, don’t feel discouraged. Continue to breastfeed frequently, even if you also must give your baby infant formula for a few days. Babies who are premature or jaundiced are especially likely to need formula temporarily.

Don’t wait to get help if milk supply is ever a concern. The sooner you do, the better. Many communities have breastfeeding support groups that can be a good resource. Contact your healthcare provider if you are having problems breastfeeding. He or she may recommend a lactation consultant, a specialist in breastfeeding.

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What are some reasons for a low supply?

There are many different reasons why some women have low supply including:

delays in breastfeeding after delivery or separations of mother and baby such as if the baby needs to be admitted to the special care nursery or if the mother is unwell after delivery
poor attachment to the breast, which can be caused by flat or inverted nipples, a tongue or lip tie, a sleepy baby because of jaundice, or a difficult or prolonged delivery
if the mother is unwell due to problems like mastitis, retained placental tissue or large blood loss after the baby is born
scheduled or timed feeding, rather than feeding baby on demand
taking an oral contraceptive pill that contains oestrogen
formula feeding as well as breastfeeding
skipping breast feeds and offering a supplement formula feed but not expressing breast milk at that time to ensure that supply continues to meet baby's demand
long-term use of dummies or nipple shields
smoking

Breast milk supply can be low if the woman has medical problems such as polycystic ovarian syndrome, hypothyroidism, diabetes and pre-diabetes, or takes some blood pressure medications and cold and flu preparations, or has taken the contraceptive pill or has been infertile.

In some women, breast or nipple surgery makes breastfeeding difficult. In a few women, the breasts did not change during puberty and early pregnancy in a way that makes breastfeeding easier.

Typical baby behaviour

Some health professionals and mothers have an unrealistic expectation of how the baby will behave and might be concerned that what is normal baby behaviour could indicate low supply.

If your baby is having a good number of wet nappies each day, low supply is not a likely cause.

Some issues with breastfeeding include:

wanting to be fed often — breast milk is digested in about 1.5 to 2 hours, whereas formula takes longer to digest
being more fussy in the evening; you might produce less milk at this time and your baby will request fewer feeds or will 'cluster feed' (feed frequently at certain times of the day)
liking to suck even if they have had a good breastfeed — sucking comforts them
wanting lots of cuddles and skin to skin contact — this makes them feel secure and ensures that baby's needs are being met
wanting to feed more frequently, which will happen when a baby is having a growth spurt — increased feeding will increase your supply
reduced amount of sucking time at the breast — this often happens after 2 or 3 months as your baby becomes more efficient at the breast

What is normal for mum?

Although breastfeeding is different for every woman, the following do not mean that you have a low supply:

your breasts suddenly seem softer — this is normal as your milk supply adjusts to your baby's needs
your breasts do not leak milk, stop leaking or only leak a little
you don’t feel a 'let-down' when milk pushes out of the breast
you are unable to pump very much with an electric pump — remember the baby is much more efficient and will always get more than a pump
how much you pump decreases over time

How do I know that baby is getting enough milk?

Always look at the whole picture to ensure that baby's growth and development is with normal limits. The baby is getting enough milk if they:

go through 6 to 8 wet nappies in a 24-hour period including at least a few dirty nappies
wake for feeds by themselves and feed vigorously at the breast
have 8 to 12 breastfeeds in 24 hours
pass a soft yellow stool
settle and sleep fairly well after most feeds
is back to birth weight in about 2 weeks
gain on average 150g or more every week for the first 3 months

If your supply is low

Milk supply is considered to be low if you are not producing enough milk to meet your baby's normal growth and development needs.

Low milk supply is usually a temporary situation that will improve with appropriate breastfeeding support and management. Making more milk is all about supply and demand — the more milk is removed from the breast, the more milk is made. The less milk removed, the less made.

How to increase your supply

The following may help increase your breastmilk supply:

ensure that baby is attaching well and removing milk efficiently from the breast
be prepared to feed your baby more frequently — breastfeed on demand every 2-3 hours at least 8 times in 24 hours
switch your baby from one breast to the other; offer each breast twice
ensure your breasts are emptied well at each feed or pumping session; you can express after breastfeeds to make sure
do not go longer than 5 hours without milk removal — your baby at the breast sucking is the most effective way to do this, but otherwise use a hand or electric pump
when your baby is feeding, compress your breast to aid milk flow as this will also encourage more effective sucking
make sure you are drinking a lot of water, eating a healthy balanced diet and not missing any meals
also ensure you are resting as much as possible between feeds

Other options that can help with a low supply include:

a supplemental nursing system or 'supply line'
herbal and pharmacological remedies that are known to increase milk supply (galactogogues)

Some cultures use food or herbs to increase breast milk supply but many of these have not been formally studied. Domperidone is a prescription medicine that can increase the hormone prolactin, which can help stimulate breast milk production. Your doctor may discuss if this medicine is right for you. The main way to increase breast milk supply is through breastfeeding or expressing milk more than you currently do.

If you think you have low milk supply, talk to your doctor, lactation consultant, breastfeeding counsellor or child health nurse. You can call Pregnancy Birth and Baby on 1800 882 436 for advice and support.

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Last reviewed: October 2021

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How long after feeding does breast milk replenish?

Milk is actually produced nonstop—before, during, and after feedings—so there's no need to wait between feedings for your breasts to refill. In fact, a long gap between feedings actually signals your breasts to make less, not more, milk.

How do I know my breast is empty?

How do I know whether my breasts are empty? There's no test or way to know for sure. In general, though, if you gently shake your breasts and they feel mostly soft and you don't feel the heaviness of milk sitting in them, you're probably fine.