If a newborn is unable to breastfeed, it is necessary to give formula milk on time. Since the infant’s digestive system is not yet fully developed, parents must be extra careful in arranging feeding times. So, how should the feeding frequency and quantity of formula milk for babies at different stages be arranged?
In the first few days after birth, the amount of milk needed by the baby is roughly calculated at 100 to 200 milliliters per kilogram of body weight. For example, a 3-kilogram baby needs approximately 300 to 360 milliliters of milk per day, diluted and fed 7 to 8 times a day, with each feeding approximately 60 to 70 milliliters.
From the 15th day after birth until the first month, if the baby’s digestion is good, full milk feeding can be attempted, with the amount of milk per kilogram of body weight increasing to 100 to 150 milliliters, feeding about 60 to 100 milliliters per meal.
For babies from one month to two months old, as their weight gradually increases, feeding should be done 6 to 7 times a day, with intervals of 3.5 to 4 hours between each feeding, and each meal being about 80 to 120 milliliters, not exceeding 150 milliliters.
When the baby is two to three months old, the number of daily feedings decreases to 5 to 6 times, occurring every 4 hours, and the meal volume increases to 150 to 200 milliliters.
From three to six months old, although there are still 5 feedings per day, the meal volume is adjusted to 150 to 250 milliliters, ensuring that the total daily milk intake does not exceed 1000 milliliters, with a single meal not exceeding 250 milliliters, and starting to introduce complementary foods from four months onwards.
For babies from six to nine months old, the feeding intervals remain at four hours, with each meal volume maintained at 200 to 250 milliliters, gradually substituting one to two milk meals with solids to reduce sugar intake.
From nine to twelve months, the baby’s milk requirements further decrease, needing to feed only twice a day, 250 milliliters each time, and maintaining a feeding interval of four hours, with the rest of the meals mainly consisting of complementary foods, and ensuring hydration between the two milk feedings.
The baby’s formula milk feeding plan needs to be flexibly adjusted according to its growth stage, as the feeding intervals gradually lengthen with the baby’s growth.
