There are many things we panic about as new parents. Fitting the car seat, the temperature of the nursery at night, whether our pudgy bundle of joy will grow up to have a fulfilling life…
But one of the most common concerns I hear from the families I work with is how much milk should a newborn drink? And is their baby drinking enough?
I’m going to give you all the advice I give them, and help you put to rest at least some of those fears. I can’t do much about the fulfilling life one, I’m afraid.
How much formula should I give my newborn?
When it comes to formula, measuring out milk is simple (after you get the hang of temperatures, and sterilising, and all those bottles).
In the first few days of their life your baby will need very small amounts of formula. By the end of the first week, you should be looking at 150ml-200ml of formula for every kg of their weight in 24 hours. Or 24-32 ounces.
This is a guide, and your baby may drink more or less depending on a whole range of factors. Things like temperature, stimulation, teething, and even the shape of the bottle can make a difference!
It may take a while for your baby to fall into a feeding routine, and you should pay attention to their hunger cues. (You can find a good rundown of hunger cues here)
How much breast milk should my newborn drink?
When it comes to breastfeeding, it’s obviously a lot harder to work out how much milk your baby is drinking. The amount of milk they’re getting depends on the length of their feed, how strong their suck is, and your supply.
So what do you do?
Well, the best way to make sure your baby gets enough milk is to watch out for those hunger cues. And give them the opportunity to breastfeed when they seem hungry.
It’s also important to remember that during growth spurts your baby might need to feed more than usual. And their feeding habits will change as they grow. They might be hungry at a different time of day, for example.
How do I know they’re drinking enough breast milk?
But there are some ways you can monitor their nutrition. If your baby is getting enough milk then they will:
- Gain weight steadily
- Seem happy
- Have at least 6 wet nappies a day
- Have doubled their birth weight by 6 months
If your baby is doing all these things, they are getting plenty of milk to meet their nutritional needs. Yay for you and your hard-working breasts!
When should I go to my doctor?
As I mentioned, things change pretty quickly as your baby grows. What seems normal for a newborn isn’t normal for a 3 month old. The way a breastfed baby feeds is often different to the way a formula-fed baby feeds. And, as a new parent, it can be hard to keep a sense of perspective. Especially when you’re exhausted.
If you’re worried about how much milk your baby is drinking, remember that your Health Visitor and GP are there to help you. Don’t be concerned about wasting their time. It’s always best to be safe and consult an expert.
In situations like this, it can be helpful to keep a chart with information on feed length, formula drunk, nappies changed, etc. Then you can tell your doctor what’s going on and help them get the whole picture.
If your baby seems to be drinking less, they aren’t gaining weight, or you’re changing fewer wet nappies, then make the call.
