Infant milk intake
Release time : 03/08/2025 09:30:02
Babies should also be fed at regular intervals, neither starving nor overfed.
Therefore, parents must master the milk intake of babies at different stages.
Generally speaking, newborn babies need to eat 30-60 ml of milk 6-8 times a day.
As the number of days of the baby increases, parents can increase the amount of milk the baby drinks to 120 ml each time and reduce the number of times of nursing.
This is just a reference. Mothers still need to find out their baby's eating rules. When he cries and wants to suck milk, they still need to let him eat.
Infant milk intake refers to the amount of food consumed by an infant. As babies' various organs are not yet fully developed, dietary issues can be one of the most critical concerns during their growth process.
Infants should also pay attention to the amount of food intake; overeating is not beneficial, and underfeeding is equally undesirable.
Exactly how much is normal for a baby to eat, which requires all mothers to understand how to calculate the baby's milk intake.
The amount of breastfeeding refers to the quantity of food consumed by infants. Different age groups have varying amounts of milk intake, and a standard value can be calculated based on age and other factors.
When mothers feed their babies, they should also feed according to the appropriate amount of breast milk, which can better help the baby absorb the required nutrients.
Many new parents often get confused about how much to feed their baby, as well as when. In fact, the amount of milk a baby drinks primarily depends on the baby's weight at the age.
For example, infants typically require feeding every 2-3 hours. As long as the baby eats what they can and believes in their body's instinctual hunger cues, that's all that matters.
In the second month, it is necessary to feed on demand. If the baby has not gained weight in three or four months, then it is necessary to pay attention to whether the baby's intake of milk is inappropriate.
If a child's basic milk requirement is calculated based on weight, the ideal milk consumption is 150 ml of milk per kilogram of body weight per day.
In addition, it is also necessary to observe whether the child has abnormal phenomena and promptly understand whether the baby's milk intake has changed and the reasons for the change.
Infant milk intake standards change mainly due to changes in the infant's age and weight.
The amount of milk consumed by babies of different ages naturally varies. Newborn babies can allocate appropriate milk based on their weight, and then gradually increase the amount of milk based on the increase in digestive capacity.
It is important to note that, in addition to breastfeeding, mothers should also provide their infants with water. One sip of water should be given between each feeding, and it should not be excessive to interfere with the baby's intake of milk.
Let's take a closer look at the amount of milk infants need at different ages.
Newborn baby feeding: The amount of breast milk to be given to a newborn varies with the infant's weight. It is advisable to feed the infant 30-60 ml of appropriate amount each time, six or eight times a day.
The amount of milk to be given can gradually increase according to the growth of digestive capacity. At the time of full term, each feeding should be 90-120 ml and the frequency of feeding should decrease.
One-month-old infant milk intake: One-month-old babies are fed on demand, and they can be fed as much as they need.
Fully fed babies often become content and quiet between feedings, sleeping for 3-4 hours at a time. If hungry, they will cry.
The general feeding frequency is 6-7 times a day, with each interval being 3.5-4 hours, and each meal approximately 80-120 milliliters.
You can eat up to 150 ml.
Feeding Schedule for Two to Three-Month-Old Infants: Feed 5 to 6 times daily, every four hours, with each feeding amounting to 150 to 200 ml.
For infants aged 3 to 6 months, the recommended daily milk intake is divided into five feedings, with each feeding occurring every four hours. The volume of each feeding should be between 150 to 200 milliliters for three to five months old, and between 200 to 250 milliliters for five to six months old. It is important to maintain a total daily milk intake of no more than 1000 milliliters per day, and each feeding should not exceed 250 milliliters in size.
We started to give a complementary food at the age of four months.
Feeding Recommendations for Infants Ages 6 to 9 Months: Feed the infant once every four hours, with a serving size of 200-250 milliliters. Gradually transition from feeding three times a day to two times a day, and gradually introduce complementary foods to replace one-half of the usual amount of milk.
The sugar content in the medium gradually decreases.
Infant Milk Volume for Nine to Twelve Months: From three feedings per day to two feedings per day, each containing 250 milliliters, and still maintaining a four-hour interval between each feeding. The other feedings are all made up of complementary foods.
The amount of milk required for artificial feeding infants is also a certain standard.
Parents must master the standard of milk intake and the way to mix formula for infants.
So, the amount of milk a baby needs to eat each day for artificial feeding is normal. The formula for calculating the amount of milk in one day is: 100×[110×weight (kg)]/86. The simple formula is: 128ml × weight (kg). After understanding the amount of milk needed each day, parents should also learn how to mix powdered milk.
There are two methods: 1) by weight calculation: since 8 kg of fresh milk can produce 1 kg of milk powder, when reconstituting, one part of milk is added to seven times the volume of water. However, this method requires weighing and is not very practical.
2. For volume-based preparation: Since the apparent density of milk powder is between 0.5 and 0.6 g/mL, it should be mixed at a ratio of one part of milk powder to four parts of water, or one teaspoon of milk powder to four teaspoons of water for preparation.
If you pay attention to the packaging of milk powder, you can find different amounts of powder for each age group, mixing and preparation methods, feeding frequency, and other relevant details.
Take the special measuring scoop from the can of powdered milk, scrape it flat with a sterilizing knife blade, and do not pile or compress the powder in the scoop.
Adding too much milk powder to a mixture will cause the resulting milk to be too thick, often leading to diarrhea, constipation, or obesity.
Prolonged milk dilution will slow down the child's weight growth and also affect the development of growth.
How to Judge Whether the Milk Intake is Enough, although there are certain standards for milk intake for babies at different ages, these standards vary from person to person.
Mothers wish to accurately understand whether babies are fed enough and when it is appropriate to supplement the appropriate amount of milk, the most important point is to learn how to judge whether the amount of milk is sufficient or if the baby has been fully fed.
Under normal circumstances, as long as you learn the following "five looks," even a new parent can easily master the baby's normal milk intake.
1. Observe the number of feedings.
In the first 1-2 months after birth, babies need to eat 8-10 times a day. By 3 months of age, they should eat at least 8 times a day.
2. Watching excrement.
If the infant relies solely on breastfeeding, having 6 or more wet nappies in a 24-hour period is considered to be a sign that the milk supply is sufficient and the baby is full.
If you urinate less than 5 times a day in 24 hours, it means that there is insufficient milk and the baby is not full.
The stool of a breast-fed infant is in the shape of yellow and soft stool, and it is defecated 2-4 times a day, which indicates that there is sufficient milk and the baby is full.
If a breast-fed baby has small stools and green foamy stools, this means that the mother has insufficient milk and the baby is not full.
3. Watch sleep.
If the baby can fall asleep quietly for about 4 hours after breastfeeding and can sleep deeply without crying, it means that the child is full.
4. Look at the weight.
Under normal circumstances, if your baby has enough milk, he will gain an average weight of 0 to 170 grams per week, and about 200 grams at 3 months.
Infants older than 6 months gain an average of 500 grams per month.
These can indicate that breast milk is sufficient and the baby is full.
5. Look at the expression.
When babies are full, they generally exhibit good moods, appear cheerful, playfully engage in games, have bright eyes and responsive reactions.
How to Increase Infant Breast Milk Intake Parents often mistakenly believe that an infant's increased milk intake indicates good health, yet this is not a normal characteristic. In reality, both overfeeding and underfeeding infants are not healthy indicators. 1. Overfeeding: - Parents may feel their baby is hungry or fussy, leading them to feed more frequently or increase the amount of breast milk. - This can cause problems such as gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), which can lead to discomfort and potential complications for the infant. - It can also contribute to obesity in children later in life, as excess calories can accumulate over time. 2. Underfeeding: - Infants may appear lethargic or have difficulty maintaining weight due to insufficient caloric intake. - This can lead to stunted growth, reduced immunity, and other developmental issues. - It can also affect the child's ability to develop proper eating habits and food preferences. 3. Normal Feeding Patterns: - Babies typically feed around 8-12 times per day, with each feeding lasting around 15-20 minutes. - Some babies may need more frequent feedings during the first few months of life due to their rapid growth rate. - However, once they reach the appropriate age and size, they should gradually transition to a more regular feeding schedule. 4. Monitoring Baby's Weight: - Parents should regularly weigh their baby using a medical scale and compare it to the standard weights for their age and gender. - If there is a significant difference between what they measured and the recommended weight, it may be necessary to adjust the baby's diet or consult with a healthcare professional. 5. Consult with a Pediatrician: - If you are concerned about your baby's feeding behavior, it is best to consult with a pediatrician who can provide personalized advice based on your child's specific needs and circumstances. - They can help identify any underlying issues or recommend appropriate interventions to ensure your baby receives the necessary nutrients and calories.
When babies have less milk intake, parents often worry about whether it will affect their growth. If they don't get enough nutrients, it could be a problem.
In fact, minor discomfort or gastrointestinal disorders in infants can lead to a decrease in milk intake. Inappropriate feeding methods may also deter babies from drinking milk.
At this time, parents should carefully observe their baby to see if there are any other abnormalities. They can adopt a feeding method of small meals frequently.
First of all, when the baby's milk intake is reduced, the mother must not be too anxious, let alone force the baby to drink milk, otherwise it will prolong the baby's resistance to milk.
Some babies can resume drinking milk after a day or two of adjustments, while others need one to two weeks to recuperate their liver, kidneys and digestive system. When the function gradually returns, the baby will fall in love with drinking milk again.
Secondly, mothers do not have to blindly emphasize whether their babies can eat the amount of milk marked on the milk powder instructions.
Forced feeding can lead to aversion in babies.
Therefore, if you want to find a way to improve your baby's dislike of milk, be careful not to mix the milk powder too thick and the amount of milk should not be too large.
During the period when your baby is tired of milk, you can only feed one or two meals of milk a day, and only 100- 150ml per meal will be enough. After the baby returns to normal appetite, it should slowly increase the amount to normal milk.
The medical part covered in this article is for reading and reference only.
If you feel unwell, it is recommended to seek medical attention immediately, and the medical diagnosis and treatment will be subject to offline diagnosis.