Newborn Baby Feeding Guide
It can be a little difficult to figure out how much your baby needs to eat, whether he’s breastfed or formula-feeding (or both). Here’s a Newborn Baby Feeding Guide for how much milk a baby should be feeding.
Figuring out how much milk your baby should be feeding, whether it’s breastmilk or formula or a combination of the two – whether his devils and riots are because of his cravings and his appetite, can seem daunting at first.
But the best part of all this is that babies give you an accurate idea of when they are hungry, when they are eating comfortably and when their stomach is full.
So with a little knowledge on your part and with the help of this Newborn Baby Feeding Guide , you will very quickly learn what is your baby’s feeding time, whether they are eating well, how much milk they need and the quantity of that milk.
How much should a breastfed baby eat ?
According to many studies and our newborn baby feeding guide, a breastfed baby should breastfeed as many times as he wants. If you count nursing sessions from the beginning, babies breastfeed every 2 to 3 hours. According to this, feeding takes place about 8-10 times in a day.
But your main focus should be on your child, not on the watch. Let him guide you. Whenever he shows signs of hunger, breastfeed him. Even if your baby is sleeping, wake him up and feed him. It is very important to breastfeed at least 8 times in a day i.e. in 24 hours.
How much milk is it okay to feed him during each nursing session? There is no exact answer to this question, but according to the newborn baby feeding guide you can expect your baby to drink milk for 20 to 30 minutes.
It’s time to end your session when your baby lets go of the nipple and his sucking slows down and he only sucks four times per swallow. (Doing this is a sign that now he is just enjoying sucking, not drinking milk and his stomach is full for the time being)
One very important thing, sometimes it is possible that you have to feed your babies continuously, which is normal in every way. This is called cluster feed in which their appetite also explodes as the growth rate increases. You might feel a bit strange or even scared, but don’t panic, just follow your child’s lead and in 1-2 days this too will be over.
How much should a formula – fed baby eat ?
There is no particular number that works for everyone. The amount your formula-fed baby eats depends entirely on his weight, age and appetite (which can change daily, just like yours).
According to this baby feeding guide, babies who are under 6 months old and who haven’t started solid food should be given a 2 or 2 1/2 ounces per pound formula every 24 hours, depending on their weight.
Your baby may get used to eating it in large quantities in the beginning, but as he grows up, his stomach will get bigger, due to which there will be more milk space in his stomach.
Here’s a general idea of newborn baby feeding guide for your kid who’s taking formula –
During the first few weeks –
1 to 3 ounce formula every 3 to 4 hours (up to 2-3 ounces after the first few days or about a week). If your baby is sleeping for more than 5 hours, wake him up and feed him.
- By the first month –
At least 4 to 5 ounces per hour.
- By six months –
Divide about 25 to 35 ounces into 4-5 feedings a day.
As our baby feeding guide says, every baby is different, so don’t ignore the signs, pay close attention to them too.
If your child is demanding more after the bottle is over, give them more. And if he starts showing signs of discomfort before the bottle is over, that means he’s full, don’t force him to finish the bottle.
How much a baby should eat if you’re both breastfeeding and formula – feeding ?
Combination feeding is neither complicated nor difficult. You can comfortably breastfeed and formula-feed your baby, keeping in mind the age of your baby. If you can start to understand your baby’s hunger and fullness cues, you will catch a wonderful rhythm. If you are still unsure about the amounts, this newborn baby feeding guide and baby’s pediatrician will help.
How to tell if a baby isn’t getting enough to eat?
By the way, you will get the first indication from the mood of your child. If the baby is not getting enough to eat, he may cry, become irritable, fussy or suck his fingers or thumbs. If the child complains of stomach pain or gas, then also pay attention to it, this can also be a symptom of his hunger.
Some more signs according to newborn baby feeding guide that will tell you that your baby hasn’t had enough food, is still hungry and needs more to eat –
Very few wet or dirty diapers
Babies should have at least 6 wet diapers within 24 hours and their urine should also be pale yellow. If we talk about bowel movements! At least 5 defecation in a day is considered appropriate for breastfed babies and 4 times for formula-fed babies.
Significant inhibition of weight gain
On average, a newborn gains 5-7 ounces per week. So if your baby is growing less than this, it means that he is not getting enough to eat. Also, your pediatrician will best help you to find out whether your baby’s growth is going smoothly or not.
If you have the slightest doubt that your child is not eating enough, talk to your pediatrician immediately. He or she will make sure if your baby has any problems related to feeding, such as problems with the mouth, tongue or palate. Along with this, he will also give you the right Newborn Baby Feeding Guide according to your baby, which will help in making your baby’s diet plan.
How to tell if you’re feeding your baby too much ?
Children have amazing control over themselves, they eat only when they are hungry and they stop as soon as the hunger subsides. But if they are drinking milk from a bottle, it is possible that they drink a little more than necessary because it takes less effort to drink milk from the bottle.
Babies who overeat may also experience abdominal pain or gas, which keeps them away from food, causing them to spit up, even vomit. Overfeeding can also increase your baby’s risk of obesity in the future. But according to this baby feeding guide, just because your baby is growing does not mean that he is eating more.
Still, if you have doubts related to the feeding of the baby, then your pediatrician and this baby feeding guide is always here to rescue.
Final Thoughts On Newborn Baby Feeding Guide
Knowing the exact amount of milk your baby needs can seem like a daunting task. But be happy knowing that you are doing your best to provide exactly what your child needs. So go on by following these general Newborn Baby Feeding Guide and your baby’s instructions. Your routine will very quickly become very comfortable and you will become a master at feeding the baby.
Happy feeding dear parents!