What Is a Weighted Feeding — and Why It Matters for Your Breastfeeding Journey

For many parents, one of the biggest stressors in the early weeks of feeding is this question:“Is my baby getting enough milk?”

A weighted feeding is one of the simplest and most effective ways to get a clear, evidence-based answer. As an IBCLC, I use weighted feeds regularly to guide care plans, relieve uncertainty, and build confidence for families—often within a single session.

If you’ve ever found yourself worrying about supply, latch, or weight gain, a weighted feeding can bring instant clarity.

What Is a Weighted Feeding?

A weighted feeding (also called a pre- and post-feed weight) is when your baby is weighed immediately before feedingand then again immediately after feeding.

Because modern pediatric scales measure to the gram, the difference in weight shows exactly how much milk your baby transferred during that feeding.

It’s quick. It’s painless. It’s incredibly accurate.

And most importantly—it gives us real data to understand how feeding is going.

Why Weighted Feedings Are So Helpful

1. You get real numbers, not guesswork

Weighted feeds remove all the “what-ifs.” Instead of trying to guess how much baby ate based on fussiness or time at the breast, we get direct measurement of milk intake.

2. It helps identify latch or positioning issues

If milk transfer is low, we can quickly explore why:

• Is baby sliding off the nipple?

• Are they struggling to maintain suction?

• Does positioning need an adjustment for a deeper latch?

• Are oral motor skills affecting the feed?

A weighted feed points us in the right direction immediately.

3. It helps evaluate milk supply

Weighted feeds show whether your supply is currently meeting your baby’s needs. If not, we can discuss strategies to support supply, protect your production, and ensure baby continues to gain well.

4. It guides a personalized feeding plan

Every baby is different. Every parent is different. Weighted feeds help me create a plan that fits your baby’s intake needs, feeding abilities, and developmental stage.

5. It brings huge peace of mind

The moment parents see the number on the scale, you can almost feel their shoulders drop.Knowing exactly what your baby transferred—down to the milliliter—allows you to move forward with confidence.

⭐ And here’s the part most parents love:

You don’t need a scale at home to feel confident every day.

A weighted feeding gives us the data once—but I teach you how to confidently assess feeding without a scale moving forward!

During your consult, you’ll learn how to observe and understand:

• Sucks and swallows and what efficient feeding sounds like

• Active feeding vs. passive nibbling

• How baby’s feeding patterns change throughout the feed

• How your breasts feel before and after

• What a satisfied baby looks like at the end

  
  

These skills give you the ability to know, in real time, if baby is feeding well—no scale required.

Weighted feeds give clarity.Your education gives confidence at home, day after day.

What a Weighted Feeding Looks Like During a Consult

During an in-person consultation, here’s what you can expect:

1. Pre-feed weight: Baby is weighed in just a diaper.

2. Full feeding at the breast: I support you with latch, positioning, and comfort.

3. Post-feed weight: Baby is weighed again.

4. Milk transfer calculation: The difference tells us how much baby ate.

5. Care Plan: We discuss next steps based on what the numbers show—this may include latch adjustments, new positions to try, supply support, or follow-up strategies.

   
   

The entire process is calm, gentle, and simple. Most parents are surprised by how quick it is and how much clarity it brings.

Is a Weighted Feeding Right for You?

A weighted feeding is especially helpful if:

• You’re concerned about milk supply

• Baby seems fussy, frustrated, or unsatisfied after feeds

• You’re managing slow weight gain

• You want to know if your current routine is working

• Breastfeeding feels painful or inconsistent

• You’re preparing to return to work and want to understand baby’s intake

  
  

Even if breastfeeding is going smoothly, many families choose weighted feeds simply for peace of mind.

Final Thoughts

Weighted feedings are one of the most powerful tools we have in lactation care. They turn uncertainty into clarity, and stress into confidence.

If you’re wondering whether your baby is getting enough—or if you want a personalized, data-driven feeding plan—I’d love to support you.

Ready for clarity and confidence?

If you’re feeling unsure or want someone to walk through this with you, I’m here!

You’re welcome to schedule a visit whenever you feel ready.

Latched Wellness with Lisa Thude RN, BSN, IBCLC

Why Prenatal Education with an IBCLC is Important

First, let me start with a personal story.

When I was pregnant with my first, I wasn't an IBCLC yet, but I was a Labor, Delivery, and Maternity nurse and felt I had as much education on breastfeeding that I needed to succeed. I knew all about latching and positioning. I had wonderful support in the hospital from experienced nurses and IBCLC's. I participated in the "Golden Hour", practiced rooming-in, had tons of skin to skin contact, fed eight or more in 24 hours, and was prepared for the second night syndrome. What could I be missing?

I was missing continued lactation support at home.

I had never paired up with an IBCLC prior to delivering. I had absolutely no idea what to experience those first few weeks at home while breastfeeding my newborn. I was completely unraveled and lost. So what did I do? I Google'd a lactation consultant near me.

For me, this worked out well. She was absolutely amazing (aren't we all). We had a few sessions, my nips felt better and my son was gaining his weight. We even reconnected further down the road when I experienced a dip in supply. Things worked out well and I was pleasantly happy with our time together.

What did I do differently my second pregnancy? After researching the local practitioners around me, I linked up with an IBCLC while I was still pregnant. We scheduled a prenatal education consult at 35 weeks and really hit it off. We chatted about things I already had knowledge on, but also dived in deeper with some issues and concerns personalized to my history. I felt much more confident and determined to have a successful breastfeeding experience.

Prenatal Breastfeeding education has been shown to increase maternal outlook towards breastfeeding, which can increase breastfeeding initiation and lengthen the duration of breastfeeding during each pregnancy. There is a strong connection between prenatal education and an increase in breastfeeding post birth (Jennifer Kehinde et al. Midwifery. 2023 Mar.).

I find it even better to connect with an IBCLC offering prenatal education. This allows you to find someone who resonates with you. So much focus is placed on finding the right obstetric practice to deliver with and what type of labor support and education classes to attend, but this emphasis should also go into your breastfeeding journey as well.

• Does this IBCLC have experience with my concerns, ie. tongue ties, multiples, relactation, engorgement, etc.?

• Does she have availability around your due date, including evenings and weekends? Some practitioners take off during summer months.

• Does she support women who exclusively want to pump and bottle feed?

• Can she make home visits, including Telehealth consults or is she strictly office based?

Wherever and whenever your breastfeeding journey begins, know that a Lactation Consultant can be there for when you need the help and support. We are all unique and offer our own approach but with the same thing in mind, to help you to be successful with your breastfeeding journey. You've got this and we believe in you!

Kehinde, J., O'Donnell, C., & Grealish, A. (2023). The effectiveness of prenatal breastfeeding education on breastfeeding uptake postpartum: A systematic review. Midwifery, 118, 103579. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2022.103579