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What you might notice during a breastfeed

Some things you might notice before, during and after a breastfeed, and how to keep a quick note in Milkstop if you'd like to.

Worried about your baby right now? Go straight to When to get help

Why keep a note at all?

You can't see how much milk goes in during a breastfeed. And in the blur of the early weeks, it's easy to forget how each feed went. A quick note means you don't have to rely on memory if your midwife, child health nurse or lactation consultant asks.

It's only a note. Every baby is different, and there's no right or wrong answer.

Before a feed

Early hunger signs can include stirring, turning the head with the mouth open, bringing hands to the mouth or sucking on fists.

Many newborns have a sleepy stretch after the first alert hours following birth.

It can take a little while, and sometimes more than one try, for baby to get attached. That can be part of settling in.

During a feed

You may notice two kinds of sucking: quick, light sucking, often at the start, and a slower pattern with swallows and short rests once milk is flowing.

As the feed goes on, the rests often get longer.

Swallowing isn't always easy to see or hear. If you can't tell, that's completely okay.

There's no set length for a feed. In the early weeks, a feed can sometimes take close to an hour.

At the end of a feed

Often a feed ends with baby letting go on their own and not looking for the breast again.

Falling asleep at the breast can mean different things. Sometimes baby has finished; sometimes they've dozed off soon after starting.

Afterwards, many babies seem calm and settled for a while, though not after every feed.

How it feels for you

Feeding can feel strange or a little tender in the first days, and that often eases. If it keeps hurting, or your nipples look squashed or damaged after feeds, talk to your midwife, child health nurse or a lactation consultant.

Keeping a note in Milkstop

After a breastfeed, you can tap the option that's closest to what you noticed, or skip it:

Milkstop keeps what you choose alongside the time, side and length of the feed, so you can look back on it, share it with your household, or export it to bring along to check-ups. It doesn't work anything out from your notes, and it doesn't send alerts or suggestions based on them.

When to get help

If you're worried about your baby at any time, don't wait for a pattern. Contact your midwife, child health nurse or GP, or call a health line.

Your midwife, child health nurse, GP or lactation consultant is the right person to ask about your baby.

For wet and dirty nappies in the first weeks, see our Newborn nappies guide.

Common questions

Does Milkstop tell me how a feed went?
No. You choose a note if you'd like to, and Milkstop saves it. It doesn't judge, rank or add anything to what you pick.

Why aren't there minutes in the options?
Feeds vary so much in length from baby to baby that a time on its own doesn't say much. Milkstop still records how long each feed lasted, as a plain time.

What if baby falls asleep at the breast?
Pick whatever feels closest, or choose "I'm not sure". Babies can doze off early in a feed or at the end of one. If you have questions about it, mention it to your midwife, child health nurse or lactation consultant.

I can't tell if baby is swallowing. What should I pick?
Swallowing isn't always easy to see or hear. "I'm not sure" is always an option, and your midwife, child health nurse or lactation consultant can talk it through with you.

Can I use Milkstop without these notes?
Yes. In settings, choose "Time only" to record just the time, side and length of each feed. You can switch back at any time without losing anything.

Sources consulted

Milkstop is independent and isn't affiliated with or endorsed by any of the organisations listed.

Page last reviewed: 6 October 2026. Sources checked: 6 October 2026.

About this page

General information only. Milkstop is not intended to be a medical device and doesn't replace advice from your midwife, child health nurse, lactation consultant or doctor. If you're worried about your baby, contact a health professional. In an emergency call 000 (AU), 911 (US), 999 (UK) or 112 (EU).

Milkstop is a personal record-keeping app. It lets parents and carers write down feeds, nappies and sleep, and keep a log they can look back on or share. It also contains general educational information from publicly available sources. Milkstop does not assess, monitor, diagnose or predict anything about your baby's health or feeding, and it does not give medical advice.

Want somewhere to jot it down?

Milkstop lets you log breastfeeds with the time, side and an optional quick note. Share the log with a partner or carer, or export it to bring along to check-ups.

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