How many ml to feed 2 month baby


Formula Feeding FAQs: How Much and How Often (for Parents)

Whether you plan to formula feed your baby from the start, want to supplement your breast milk with formula, or are switching from breast milk to formula, you probably have questions.

Here are answers to some common questions about formula feeding.

How Often Should I Feed My Baby Formula?

Newborns and young babies should be fed whenever they seem hungry. This is called on-demand feeding.

After the first few days of life, most healthy formula-fed newborns feed about every 2–3 hours. As they get bigger and their tummies can hold more milk, they usually eat about every 3–4 hours. As babies get older, they’ll settle into a more predictable feeding routine and go longer stretches at night without needing a bottle.

Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about feeding your baby, especially if your baby is very small, is not gaining weight, or was born early (prematurely).

How Can I Tell When My Baby Is Hungry?


Signs that babies are hungry include:

  • moving their heads from side to side
  • opening their mouths
  • sticking out their tongues
  • placing their hands, fingers, and fists to their mouths
  • puckering their lips as if to suck
  • nuzzling again their mothers' breasts
  • showing the rooting reflex (when a baby moves its mouth in the direction of something that's stroking or touching its cheek)

Babies should be fed before they get upset and cry. Crying is a late sign of hunger. But every time your baby cries is not because of hunger. Sometimes babies just need to be cuddled or changed. Or they could be sick, tired, too hot or too cold, in pain, or have colic.

How Much Formula Should I Feed My Baby?

In the first few weeks, give 2- to 3-ounce (60- to 90-milliliter) bottles to your newborn. Give more or less depending on your baby’s hunger cues.

Here's a general look at how much your baby may be eating at different ages:

  • On average, a newborn drinks about 1.5–3 ounces (45–90 milliliters) every 2–3 hours. This amount increases as your baby grows and can take more at each feeding.
  • At about 2 months, your baby may drink about 4–5 ounces (120–150 milliliters) every 3–4 hours.
  • At 4 months, your baby may drink about 4–6 ounces (120-180 milliliters) at each feeding, depending on how often they eat.
  • By 6 months, your baby may drink 6–8 ounces (180–230 milliliters) about 4–5 times a day.   

Watch for signs that your baby is hungry or full. Respond to these cues and let your baby stop when full. A baby who is full may suck with less enthusiasm, stop, or turn away from the bottle.

Why Does My Baby Seem Hungrier Than Usual?

As babies grow, they begin to eat more at each feeding and can go longer between feedings. Still, there may be times when your little one seems hungrier than usual.

Your baby may be going through a period of rapid growth (called a growth spurt). These can happen at any time, but in the early months are common at around:

  • 7–14 days old
  • between 3–6 weeks
  • 4 months
  • 6 months

During these times and whenever your baby seems especially hungry, follow their hunger cues and continue to feed on demand, increasing the amount of formula you give as needed.

Is My Baby Eating Enough?

At times, you may wonder whether your baby is getting enough nutrients for healthy growth and development. Babies who get enough to eat seem satisfied after eating and are regularly peeing and pooping.

At your baby’s checkups, the doctor will review your baby’s growth chart, track your little one’s development, and answer any questions. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns about your baby’s feeding and nutrition.

Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD

Date reviewed: November 2021

Bottle-Feeding (Formula) Questions

Is this your child's symptom?

  • Formula and bottle-feeding questions

Topics Covered for Formula Feeding

If your baby is healthy, skip the "What to Do" section. Go directly to the topic number that relates to your question for advice:

  1. Types of formulas
  2. Switching formulas and milk allergies
  3. Powdered versus liquid formulas
  4. Whole cow's milk, 2%, 1% and skim milk
  5. Vitamins and iron
  6. Water to mix with the formula
  7. Extra water
  8. Amounts: how much per feeding?
  9. Schedules or frequency of feedings
  10. Length of feedings
  11. Night feedings: how to eliminate?
  12. Formula temperature
  13. Formula storage
  14. Cereals and other solids
  15. Burping
  16. Baby bottle tooth decay
  17. Traveling
  18. Nipples and bottles
  19. Normal stools
  20. Breast discomfort

When to Call for Bottle-Feeding (Formula) Questions

Call 911 Now

  • Can't wake up
  • Not moving or very weak
  • You think your child has a life-threatening emergency

Call Doctor or Seek Care Now

  • Age less than 1 month old and looks or acts abnormal in any way
  • Dehydration suspected. No urine in more than 8 hours, dark urine, very dry mouth and no tears.
  • Will not drink or drinks very little for more than 8 hours
  • Fever in baby less than 12 weeks old. Caution: do NOT give your baby any fever medicine before being seen.
  • Your child looks or acts very sick
  • You think your child needs to be seen, and the problem is urgent

Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours

  • Does not seem to be gaining enough weight
  • You think your child needs to be seen, but the problem is not urgent

Contact Doctor During Office Hours

  • You have other questions or concerns

Self Care at Home

  • Bottle-feeding question about a healthy baby

Seattle Children's Urgent Care Locations

If your child’s illness or injury is life-threatening, call 911.

  • Bellevue
  • Everett
  • Federal Way
  • Seattle
  • Virtual Urgent Care

Care Advice for Bottle (Formula) Feeding

  1. Types of Formulas:
    • Milk-protein formulas, soy-protein formulas, and hydrolysate formulas
    • Soy formulas don't contain lactose or cow's milk protein. Currently, 20% of infants in the U.S. are fed soy formula. Often, switching to soy is not done with a valid reason.
    • Hydrolysate formulas mean the protein is broken down. These are advised when children are sensitive to both soy and milk protein.
  2. Switching Formulas and Milk Allergies:
    • Switching from one milk-based formula to another is not helpful for any symptom. It is also not harmful.
    • Switching from milk formula to soy formula is sometimes helpful for severe diarrhea. This may occur from temporary low lactase levels. It may also be used for those families who are vegetarian.
    • Switching from milk formula to soy is sometimes helpful for cow's milk allergy. A cow's milk allergy occurs in 1-2% of infants. Most often, protein hydrolysate formulas (such as Alimentum) are advised. This is because 15% of these infants are also allergic to soy protein.
    • Switching formulas for frequent crying, spitting up or gas is rarely helpful.
    • Don't switch formulas without talking with your child's doctor.
  3. Powdered versus Liquid Formulas:
    • Formulas come in 3 forms: powder, concentrated liquid and ready-to-feed liquid.
    • Concentrated formulas are mixed 1:1 with water.
    • Ready-to-feed formulas do not need any added water.
    • Powdered formulas are mixed 2 ounces (60 mL) of water per each level scoop of powder. Never add extra water because dilute formula can cause a seizure.
    • Powdered formula costs the least. Ready-to-feed formula costs the most.
    • Powdered formula is the easiest to use to supplement breastfeeding.
    • Ready-to-feed formula is the easiest to use for traveling.
  4. Whole Cow's Milk, 1%, 2% and Skim Milk:
    • Cow's milk should not be given to babies before 12 months of age. Reason: raises risk of iron deficiency anemia.
    • Skim milk (fat free milk), 1% low fat milk or 2% milk should not be used before 2 years. Reason: the fat content of whole cow's milk (3.5%) is required. It is needed for rapid brain growth.
  5. Vitamins and Iron:
    • For all infants, use a formula that has iron in it. This helps to prevent iron deficiency anemia.
    • The iron amount in iron-fortified formulas is too small to cause any symptoms. Iron in formulas does not cause constipation or diarrhea.
    • Iron-fortified formulas contain all the vitamins and minerals needed.
    • Extra vitamins are therefore not needed for infants taking formula.
    • Fluoride. Babies no longer need to take fluoride drops. Reason: the fluoride in toothpaste works very well. For children at high risk for tooth decay, your dentist may use fluoride varnish.
  6. Water to Mix With the Formula:
    • Most city water supplies are safe for making 1 bottle at a time. Run the cold tap water for 1 minute. Don't use warm tap water. Reason: to avoid potential lead exposure. Heat cold water to desired temperature. Add this to powder or formula concentrate.
    • Exceptions:
      • Untested well water or
      • City water with recent contamination or
      • Developing countries with unsafe water supply or
      • Your child has decreased immunity.
      • For these conditions, use distilled water, bottled water, or filtered tap water.
      • Another option is to use city water or well water that has been boiled. Boil for 10 minutes. Add 1 extra minute per each 1,000 feet (305 meters) of elevation.
      • Bottled water costs more than distilled water.
      • If making a batch of formula, distilled, bottled or boiled water is needed.
  7. Extra Water:
    • Babies less than 6 months of age should not be given any extra water. Reason: regular formula is 85% water. Also, water can cause harm at this age.
    • Infants older than 6 months of age can have some extra water. Reason: water may be needed after starting solid foods or if weather is very hot. Safe at this age.
    • Limit water for infants age 6 to 12 months: don't give more than 4 ounces (120 mL) of extra water per day. On hot days, can give up to 8 ounces (240 mL) per day (AAP).
  8. Amounts - How Much Per Feeding: Newborn to 6 Months Old
    • The average amount of formula that babies take per feeding is:
    • Newborn: 1-2 ounces (30-60 mL) per feeding
    • 1 month old: 3-4 ounces (90-120 mL) per feeding
    • 2 months old: 5 ounces (150 mL) per feeding
    • 4 months old: 6 ounces (180 mL) per feeding
    • 6 months old: 7-8 ounces (210-240 mL) per feeding
    • The amount can vary depending on the baby's weight and if the baby is going through a growth spurt.
    • A baby's appetite varies throughout the day. If the infant stops feeding or loses interest, the feeding should be stopped.
    • If healthy babies are not hungry at several feedings, increase the feeding interval.
    • The most amount of formula advised per day is 32 ounces (1 liter).
    • Over-feeding can cause vomiting, diarrhea or too much weight gain.
    • If your baby needs over 32 ounces (1 liter), talk to your doctor about starting solids.
    • Get rid of any formula left in bottle at end of each feeding. Do not reuse this leftover formula. Reason: contains germs that can grow.
  9. Frequency of Feedings (Schedules): Babies mainly need to be fed when they are hungry. If your baby is fussy and it's been more than 2 hours, feed him. Some guidelines are listed below:
    • From birth to 3 months of age, feed every 2 to 3 hours.
    • From 3 to 9 months of age, feed every 3 to 4 hours.
    • Infants often set their own schedule by 1 to 2 months of age.
  10. Length of Feedings:
    • Feedings shouldn't take more than 20 minutes.
    • If the feeding is prolonged, check the nipple to be sure it isn't clogged.
    • A clean nipple should drip about 1 drop per second. Check this when the bottle of formula is turned upside down.
  11. Night Feedings - How to Get Rid of Them:
    • Most newborns need to be fed at least twice each night.
    • Most formula-fed babies give up night feedings by 4 months of age. The tips below can help your baby sleep for longer stretches during the night:
    • Keep daytime feeding intervals to at least 2 hours. Slowly stretch them to 3 hours.
    • During daytime, your baby shouldn't sleep for more than 3 hours at a time. If your baby naps longer than that, wake him for a feeding.
    • Place your baby in the crib drowsy but awake. Don't bottle-feed or rock until asleep.
    • Make middle-of-the-night feedings brief and boring compared to daytime feedings. Don't turn on the lights or talk to your child. Feed him rather quickly.
  12. Formula Temperature:
    • Most babies like formula at body temperature.
    • In the summertime, some infants prefer formula that's cooler.
    • In the wintertime, some prefer warm formula.
    • The best temperature is the one your infant prefers. Either way, there's no health risk involved.
    • Just make sure the formula is not too hot. Reason: it can burn your baby's mouth.
  13. Formula Storage:
    • If you can, make your child's formula fresh for each feed. However, if formula needs to be made ahead of time:
    • Prepared formula should be stored in the refrigerator. It must be used within 24 hours.
    • Open cans of formula should also be kept in the refrigerator. They should be covered and used within 24 hours.
    • Prepared formula left at room temperature for more than 1 hour should be discarded.
    • Leftover used formula should always be tossed. Reason: contains germs that can grow.
  14. Cereals and Other Solids:
    • Bottle-fed infants should be started on baby foods around 6 months of age. First baby foods can be cereals and/or fruit.
    • Starting before 6 months is not needed. Starting before 6 months makes feedings messier and longer. Early use of solids can also cause gagging.
    • Solids don't increase sleeping through the night for bottle-fed infants.
    • Delaying solids past 9 months of age is not advised. The delay runs the risk that your infant will refuse solids.
  15. Burping:
    • It is not harmful if a baby doesn't burp.
    • Burping is an option, but not required.
    • It can decrease spitting up, but it doesn't lessen crying.
    • Burping can be done twice per feeding, once midway and once at the end.
    • If your baby does not burp after 1 minute of patting, it can be stopped.
  16. Baby Bottle Tooth Decay:
    • Some older infants and toddlers are used to a bottle before sleeping.
    • Falling asleep with a bottle of milk or juice can cause severe tooth decay.
    • Prevent this bad habit by not using the bottle as a pacifier. Also, do not use the bottle as a security object.
    • If you cannot stop the bottles, fill it with water. Use water instead of formula or milk at bedtime.
  17. Traveling:
    • Use bottles of ready-to-feed formula (most expensive).
    • Or mix formula ahead of travel and carry in a cold insulated container.
    • Or use powered formula. Put the required number of scoops in a bottle. Carry clean water in a separate bottle. Mix before each feeding.
  18. Nipples and Bottles:
    • Any nipple/bottle products are fine.
    • It is not necessary to sterilize bottles or nipples. Wash them with soap and water. Rinse them thoroughly.
    • It is also safe to wash bottles and nipples in the dishwasher.
  19. Formula-fed Stools, Normal:
    • Meconium Stools are dark greenish-black, thick and sticky. They normally are passed during the first 3 days of life.
    • Transitional Stools are a mix of meconium and milk stools. They are greenish-brown and looser. They are passed day 4 to 5 of life.
    • Normal Milk Stools without any meconium are seen from day 6 on.
    • Formula-fed babies pass 1 to 8 stools per day during the first week. Then it starts to slow down to 1 to 4 per day. This lasts until 2 months of age.
    • The stools are yellow in color and thick like peanut butter. Green stools are also normal (usually caused by bile).
    • After 2 months of age, most babies pass 1 or 2 stools per day. They can also pass 1 every other day. They are soft and solid.
  20. Breast Discomfort in Bottle-feeding Mothers:
    • Even though you chose not to breastfeed, your breasts will make milk. Breast milk comes in on day 2 or 3. Swollen breasts can be painful for a few days. Here is what to do:
    • Ibuprofen. Take 400 mg of ibuprofen (such as Advil) 3 times per day. This will help to lessen pain and swelling. There's no special prescription medicine for this.
    • Cold Pack. Use a cold pack or ice bag wrapped in a wet cloth. Put it on your breasts for 20 minutes. Do this as often as needed. This will decrease milk production. Do not use heat. Heat will increase milk production.
    • Pumping. For moderate pain, hand express or pump off a little breast milk. This will help to reduce your pain. Pumping breast milk can increase milk production. But, doing this to take the edge off your discomfort is not harmful.
    • Bra. Wear a bra that offers good breast support or a sports bra. Wear it 24 hours a day.
    • Binding. Binding the breasts by wearing a tight bra is no longer advised. Binding by using an elastic wrap is also not advised. Binding can increase the risk of breast infections (mastitis).

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the 'Call Your Doctor' symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.

Last Reviewed: 03/28/2023

Last Revised: 12/30/2022

Copyright 2000-2023. Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines LLC.

How much should a newborn eat: feeding chart

0-6 months

Article

5/5 2 reviews

As soon as the long-awaited event has happened and the baby is born, the mother is faced with many questions. One of the most frequently asked: how to feed and how much should a newborn eat? Indeed, this is a very important point, since a properly selected and debugged diet allows the child to grow and develop harmoniously, promotes good health and strengthens the immune system. How to calculate the norm for a baby from the first days of life to a year?

8 min. for reading Feb. 17, 2022

Calculated norms

1. The first month of life

As soon as the baby is born, it is immediately brought to the mother's breast to feed. This helps to strengthen the immunity of the baby and stimulates lactation in the mother. During this period, there is still no milk in the breast, but there is a very nutritious transparent sweetish liquid - colostrum. It is released in the first two or three days after birth and supplies the child with all the necessary substances. To eat, the baby needs a few drops: on the first day of life, the small stomach holds only 7 milliliters. On the second day of life, the baby begins to eat more often. It needs to be fed on demand or every two to three hours, while the baby eats within 10-20 milliliters at one time. Thus, per day the norm will be approximately 90 milliliters. Starting from the third day after birth, the mother actively produces breast milk, the volume of which increases as the child grows. In the first week of life, the baby should eat from 50 to 80 milliliters of milk at a time, and 400 milliliters per day. At two weeks of age, the daily ration should be 20% of the weight of the newborn, and closer to a month - about 600 milliliters. It is important to note that these figures are approximate. Each baby needs its own, certain amount of milk or mixture, depending on individual characteristics: height, weight, mother's milk quality, calorie content of the mixture and the rate of development of the baby.

See also: Breastfeeding: the first steps after childbirth

2. From one to four months

Every day the baby grows, gains weight and increases its daily portions of milk. Having reached the month, the baby is already eating 90-100 milliliters six to seven times a day. After one month, the norms become as follows:

  • At two months, the child should eat from 120 to 150 milliliters at a time. The daily norm, therefore, is 700-800 milliliters.
  • A three-month-old baby should eat between 150 and 180 milliliters. In this case, it is recommended to observe the frequency of feeding no more than six to seven times a day.
  • From the fourth month, babies need 180-210 milliliters of milk or infant formula. The average amount per day is not less than 1/6 of the baby's weight.

3.Five-six months

A six-month-old child normally eats 210-240 milliliters at a time, and the total amount of food per day should be 1/7 of body weight, or 800-1000 milliliters. Also, if there are no contraindications, complementary foods are introduced from six months.

4. From seven to twelve months

During this period, a single portion of breast milk for a baby ranges from 210 to 240 milliliters. At the same time, the average amount per day is not less than 1/8 of the child's body weight. Vegetable, fruit and meat purees, dairy-free and milk porridges are introduced into the diet (if the baby is not allergic to cow's milk proteins).

Below is a table that describes in detail the daily intake of a newborn for each age up to a year.

How much breast milk should a newborn eat: table

Child's age The amount of milk eaten per feeding, ml The amount of milk eaten per day, ml
3-4 days 20–60 200–300
1 week 50–80 400
2 weeks 60–90 1/5 weight of child
1 month 100–110 600
2 months 120-150 800
3 months 150–180 1/6 child weight
4 months 180-210 1/6 child weight
5-6 months 210-240 1/7 child's weight (800-1000)
7-12 months 210-240 1/8 weight baby

Important!

Remember that every child is unique, has individual characteristics and needs. Therefore, slight deviations from the standard indicators are quite possible.

Not enough breast milk or not at all: what to do

When a baby cries after waking up, he is hungry. Modern doctors do not advise mothers to maintain any strict feeding schedule. If the mother gives the baby a breast when he asks, and the baby eats for her own pleasure and at the same time sleeps soundly and well, smiles and is not naughty, then she is full and completely satisfied.

But if the baby cries and sleeps badly, then perhaps he does not have enough milk. In this case, check if the baby is eating his age norm, and try to keep track of this indicator in the future. Found that you don't have enough breast milk? Do not worry, it is better to immediately consult a doctor. The specialist will help you find a way to support milk production and improve lactation.

If you cannot solve the problem and normalize lactation, consult a pediatrician and find the right supplemental formula for your child. With strict observance of all the doctor's recommendations, instructions for preparation and dosages indicated on the package, the mixture makes it possible to compensate for the lack of breast milk and provide the baby with the necessary amount of nutrients.

Important!

Even if you don't have enough breast milk to fully meet your baby's needs, try to remain on partial breastfeeding for as long as possible. After all, the ideal food for a child is mother's milk.

Norms and stages of introduction of complementary foods

As a rule, complementary foods are introduced at the age of six months. Before you start exploring new products, you should consult with your pediatrician. In general, different types of food are introduced in stages, starting with very small portions.

1.First step - vegetables

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) the best product to start with is a one-component vegetable puree, such as zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower or potatoes. If everything goes well, you can try pumpkin, carrot, pea and tomato puree a little later.

It takes seven to ten days to fully introduce the product into the baby's diet. We start with half or a whole teaspoon once a day until breastfeeding. If there are no allergic or other adverse reactions, you can continue the introduction of this product, gradually increasing the dose to a full serving - 100-150 grams.

2. The second stage - cereals

After the introduction of vegetable puree, we recommend diversifying the baby's menu with cereals. For acquaintance, it is better to choose liquid one-component gluten-free cereals, for example, rice or buckwheat. Then you can add oatmeal or semolina.

The initial portion of porridge is half or one teaspoon. Gradually increase the portion to a full - 150 grams.

3. The third stage — fruits

We also start complementary foods with one-component low-allergenic purees, such as apple, pear, plum, banana. These products are not only tasty, but also contain vitamins and minerals necessary for the child.

Fruit purees are also introduced with caution, starting with half or a whole teaspoon. Gradually, the portion increases to 100-150 grams.

Find out more: Gerber Baby Food: Puree Range

4.Stage Four - Meat

Meat is an essential product for development, rich in iron and protein, which is well absorbed in the body. It is introduced in the form of a homogeneous one-component puree from dietary turkey, rabbit, chicken, veal or lamb.

At the beginning we give a try - half or one teaspoon, over time we bring the portion to 60 grams.

5. The fifth stage - new tastes

After the successful introduction of the above products, the baby forms a full-fledged varied menu. So you can introduce the young gourmet to new flavors that could previously provoke an allergy: multi-component purees, fruit and cereal cocktails, children's snacks, pieces of fresh fruits and vegetables.

See also: Introduction of complementary foods to children with food allergies

See also: Baby nutrition at 7 months: making a menu for the baby

Popular questions

1. How to warm up breast milk?

Use the bottle warmer to warm breast milk that has been stored in the refrigerator. If this is not at hand, put a tightly closed bottle in a container of warm water and hold it there until the milk warms to body temperature - 37 ° C.

2. How often should a newborn eat?

A newborn needs to be fed every 2-3 hours, i.e. 10-12 times a day.

3. How much milk does a newborn eat?

During the first days of life, the baby has a very small stomach and a poorly developed sucking reflex. Therefore, for one feeding, the newborn eats 7-9 milliliters of colostrum. Breast milk from the mother appears only on the third or fourth day.

4. How to calculate how much a child should eat?

To understand how much a newborn should eat, you need to know his age and weight. Data for calculation: from 10 days to 1.5 months, the baby needs such an amount of food, the weight of which is approximately 1/5 of the child's body weight; from 1.5 to 4 months - 1/6, from 4 to 6 months - 1/7; from 6 to 8 months - 1/8; from 8 to 12 months - 1/9 of the body weight.

Articles on the topic:

Breastfeeding: benefits for the baby, health for the mother 12 rules of healthy nutrition for children Baby does not eat well, how to feed?

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how much milk a child needs for 1 feeding, the rate of formula and breast milk

The birth of a baby is a very joyful event. However, along with the joy of parents, many more questions arise. After all, it is so important that the baby grows up healthy and actively develops. One of the first such questions is usually: "How much does a newborn eat per feeding?" It would seem that feeding is such a natural process that it should not cause difficulties. However, most mothers are concerned that the baby does not have enough milk or, on the contrary, he overeats. How to strike a balance? Let's talk about it in this article.

Content: Hide

  1. Features of breastfeeding
  2. On colostrum
  3. Consumption norms
  4. How to calculate the amount of feeding
  5. As a rule, the most difficult in the matter of feeding is the first week after childbirth. At this time, mother and child are only learning to understand each other. But there is no doubt that breast milk is the best food for a baby. This product is perfect by nature and has everything you need at every stage.

    Breastfeeding is good for both the baby and the mother:

    • it helps the baby to get the substances necessary for growth, development and immunity and simply satisfy hunger;
    • promotes active contraction of the woman's uterus (under the influence of sucking movements) and a faster recovery process after childbirth.

    About colostrum

    Newborns eat little, their sucking reflex is just developing and is beginning to be put into practice. In addition, a woman's milk is not produced immediately. In the mammary glands at the end of pregnancy and in the first hours after childbirth, colostrum is formed. This is not exactly milk, it even outwardly differs from mature milk, and in its chemical composition it is similar to blood. This is a very valuable product. It is high in fat and contains immunoglobulins and antitoxins, which strengthen the immune system and protect the baby's body from infections. After a few days, colostrum is replaced by transitional milk. It is lighter, but also quite oily.

    Read also: Complementary foods for artificial feeding

    Consumption rates

    This is important!

    A mother should not worry that her baby is hungry, even if she breastfed him 10 times, but it seems that he has not eaten almost a drop. The size of the stomach of a newborn is very small, so only about 10 ml is eaten per feeding. Thus, for the whole day the baby can drink up to 100 ml.

    On average, milk arrives 3-4 days after birth and its quantity gradually increases. The stomach of the baby also grows. This means that the amount of milk consumed also increases. So, for the first day, a newborn can drink 10 ml per feeding, for the second day - 20 ml, and for the third - 30 ml. But remember that each organism is individual and there are no strict limits here. However, if by the 4-5th day of life the child's body weight does not increase, but only decreases (by more than 8%), then this requires the attention of a specialist.

    There is a folk way to determine the rate of consumption of breast milk. You need to multiply the number of days that have passed since the day of birth by 10. But this method is inaccurate and has no scientific confirmation.

    So how much should a newborn eat per feeding? The table shows the daily and one-time volume of milk by months for children under 1 year old.

    9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9

    Child's age

    The volume of milk per feeding (ml)

    Milk rate per day (ml)

    3-4 days

    20-60 9000

    200-000 9000

    1 week

    50–80

    400

    9000 2 weeks

    60–90-9000

    20 % of body weight

    9005

    100–110

    600

    2 months

    120–1503

    800

    9000 3 months

    150-19000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000

    051

    1/6 body weight

    4 months

    180–210

    1/6 of body weight

    5-6 months 9000

    1/7 body weight

    7–12 months

    210–240

    1/8–1/9 of body weight

    do not forget that children who are located located breastfeeding, complementary foods are introduced at about 6 months. This means that the amount of milk consumed is reduced, giving way to more adult food.

    How to calculate the amount eaten

    In terms of measuring the amount eaten, formula feeding seems to be just perfect. Here is a bottle with a scale, here is water, here is a measuring spoon. However, in terms of its benefits, formula milk will never be compared with breast milk. And besides, making measurements is not as difficult as it seems at first glance. Babies just need to be weighed before and after feeding on a baby scale. To ensure the accuracy of the result, you need to weigh several times a day. If nothing threatens the health of the baby, he does not look thin and pale, develops according to age, and the mother has enough milk, then monthly weighing in the clinic is usually enough.

    Feeding schedule

    For breastfed babies, there is a rule - to put the baby to the breast on demand. Previously, it was believed that it was necessary to maintain an interval of 3 hours, but now pediatricians agree that the breaks between feedings can be 1. 5–2 hours. This does not mean at all that the baby will overeat.

    Video: Does a child get enough food in the first months of life?
    Author: pediatrician, Ph.D. Komarovsky E.O.

    The duration of one feeding is usually 15-30 minutes. Although there are deviations from the norm. For example, a woman has a lot of milk, and the child is full in 5-10 minutes. Or, on the contrary, there is not enough milk, and the baby can suck out the remains for a long time. Some babies just enjoy suckling and use their mother's breast as a pacifier.

    What is important to consider

    At first, mother and baby are just getting used to the changes that are taking place, so the feeding regimen may not be ideal. However, you should adhere to the following rules.

    • In the first couple of weeks, a woman needs a lot of dedication, because the interests of the child in the matter of satisfying hunger come to the fore. You can’t refuse food to a baby, even if it costs a sleepless night.
    • If there is any doubt that the baby is undernourished or overeating, it is best to start monitoring the frequency of feedings. So, you need to mark the time at which the baby was really hungry, mark the intervals between feedings. This information may also be useful at the appointment with the pediatrician.
    • It is impossible to establish a clear feeding regime, as with artificial feeding, especially in the first weeks after birth. Maintaining intervals of more than 2–3 hours during the day and 3–4 hours at night is highly discouraged.
    • Do not try to force feed your baby. He is still too young to realize the need for food, and is guided solely by his feeling of hunger. If the baby persistently refuses the breast, you need to try to offer him to eat a little later. If the interval is too large, it is better to contact a specialist for advice.
    • It is important that your baby latch on correctly. His mouth should capture not only the nipple, but also the areola. Thus, the milk will properly enter the mouth, and the woman will reduce the risk of cracked nipples.
    • Soothers and bottles are not recommended for breastfed babies. Such products can reduce the intensity of sucking movements.
    • It is best to give your baby only one breast at a time. In the mammary gland, fore milk is formed, with which the baby quenches his thirst, and hind milk, with which he "eats up", since it is more nutritious in composition.
    • Hold the baby upright for about 10 minutes after each feeding. This helps to free the tummy from air and excess milk.

    As a rule, with a normal feeding regimen and a sufficient amount of milk from the mother, by the month the weight of the child increases by 500–600 g.

    Features of artificial feeding Now consider the situation when the mother does not have the opportunity to breastfeed the baby. In this case, it is necessary to choose a quality milk formula that will cover the nutritional needs.

    The pediatrician should help in this matter. The doctor will always take into account the peculiarities of the child's health and will be able to advise a regular or medicinal product. Do not forget that when breastfeeding, the baby makes more effort. He drinks milk gradually and feels full. When feeding with a formula, a strict dosage is needed, since usually saturation does not come immediately, and the baby may require a supplement that he does not really need (the feeling of hunger should disappear after a few minutes).

    Consumption rates

    Almost all known mixtures require 8 or 7 meals a day with an interval of 3 hours. Night feedings are also included. When the baby grows up a little, it will be possible to skip them and sleep 5-6 hours until morning. With regard to formula milk, the principle of feeding on demand is not suitable. Therefore, it is necessary to observe both the dosage indicated by the manufacturer and the regimen.

    It will not be difficult to calculate how much the baby eats for feeding.

    Age

    The daily milk rate from body weight

    10 days - 1.5 months

    1/5

    9000 1.5-4 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1,000 1.5–4-4 1.5–4,000 1.5–4,000 1.5–4,000 1.5–4,000 1.5–4-4 months

    1/6

    4-6 months

    1/7

    6–8 months

    1/8

    9002 9000 8 months - 1 year

    1/9

    For example, a baby is 2 months old and weighs 4800 grams. According to the table, we divide 4800 by 6 and get the daily rate - 800 ml of milk formula per day. To calculate the volume of one feeding, divide 800 by 6 (number of feedings per day). Thus, the child eats about 130 ml of formula at a time.

    Not everyone can find the right mixture right away, but do not despair.


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