For adults, it is relatively easy to judge whether they are full, while the dietary habits of children, especially newborns, mainly rely on frequent breastfeeding to obtain sufficient nutrition. Since breast milk is digested quickly, it is necessary to feed the baby at regular intervals.
Regarding the specific duration of breastfeeding for newborns, it is recommended to feed each breast for 10 minutes, totaling 20 minutes is sufficient to meet their needs. In fact, within the first 2 minutes of feeding, the baby can intake approximately half of the milk, and by the 4th minute, this number can reach 80%-90%. Although the milk intake decreases in the following minutes, it plays an important role in promoting the secretion of prolactin and strengthening the emotional bond between mother and child.
The number of feedings per day for newborns is not strictly defined, initially it can be based on the baby’s hunger cues or the mother’s fullness of breasts. As the baby grows, a more fixed feeding routine will naturally develop. Considering the small stomach capacity and fast digestion of newborns, it is recommended to feed every 3 hours, about 8 times a day.
It is worth noting that it takes about 3-4 hours for the infant’s stomach to empty, so it is reasonable to feed the baby every this time interval. However, this interval will be adjusted as the baby grows older.
As for how to feed newborns at different stages, the following suggestions can be considered: – In the first few days after birth: breastfeed on demand, lasting about 10-15 minutes each time. – Babies aged 4-14 days: feed every 4 hours, extend the feeding time to 15-20 minutes each time, adjust the amount of milk according to the baby’s needs. – Babies aged 15 days to 1 month: shorten the feeding interval to every 3 hours, similar feeding durations each time, gradually increase the milk volume to 70-100 milliliters, also following the on-demand feeding principle, which may vary due to individual differences in babies.
These suggestions should be flexibly applied in combination with the baby’s actual needs to ensure that the baby receives adequate nutrition and care.
