Baby Feeding Amount

Breast milk is the most nutritious feed for a baby and is recommended till the baby is at least three to six months old. Breast milk not only contains a healthy and suitable balance of the various nutrients needed for proper development of the baby but also has the ability to boost a baby’s immune system. This makes the baby strong enough to fight off illnesses like the common cold, ear infections and allergies.

Initially, a newborn baby would be ready for a feed every two to four hours. A cry would generally indicate that he or she is hungry. With the passage of time, the baby will slowly settle into a set routine with fewer wholesome feeds per day. Approximately six to eight wet diapers each day indicate that your baby is getting enough of milk. In some cases, mothers may have to switch to or supplement the feeds with alternatives like cow’s milk or formula. This is not recommended as any other milk or supplement cannot replace the nutritional value of breast milk. However, at times, a mother is forced to opt for alternatives due to an inability to produce sufficient milk. If the mother is on some medication, a pediatrician would recommend a top feed. If you are a working mother, expressing milk and storing it in a feeding bottle is advisable so as to not deprive your child of nutritious breast milk while you are away.

The baby’s inability to communicate its needs often makes it difficult to judge the amount of feed that would satisfy the little baby’s hunger for a period of time. There is no hard and fast rule regarding the quantity of the feed as this solely depends on the baby’s appetite. Some baby’s may prefer smaller quantities at smaller intervals whereas some may be able to retain slightly larger quantities with a larger interval between feeds. For a baby up to the age of three months, five to seven feeds of approximately 150ml per feed would be sufficient. Up to six months of age, four to five feeds per day with an average of 250 ml per feed would suffice. At six months, you may choose to supplement milk and formula with partially solid foods. At this stage the baby starts developing likes and dislikes for certain foods and the quantity of the feed will be influenced by this. With the increase in baby solid foods, the intake of formula and liquids will definitely decrease.