From the birth of a baby, parents pay close attention to their feeding frequency. As the baby grows, not only will the number of feedings change, but the required amount of milk will also adjust accordingly. This can be a challenge for new moms as they need to accurately grasp the baby’s feeding needs at different growth stages. Understanding and adapting to these changes can greatly benefit the baby’s healthy growth.
Before the baby reaches two months old, their life revolves around sleep, with relatively little activity, almost eating and then sleeping. Therefore, feeding becomes frequent, and mothers need to be ready for breastfeeding at any time. For a one-month-old baby, an appropriate amount of milk per feeding is around 100 milliliters, which can meet the nutritional needs and avoid overfeeding. To confirm if the baby is full, you can observe their behavior: if the baby still shows sucking cues, maybe a little more feeding is needed; whereas if the baby falls asleep after feeding, it usually means they’re full.
It’s worth noting that although formula milk is nutritious, it may not be easily digested by the baby, so controlling the amount of feeding is crucial. Generally, for a baby aged one to two months, a daily intake of around 700 milliliters of milk is within the normal range. For babies with heavier weight, their feeding amount might be slightly higher, as long as the baby shows no discomfort after eating and has normal bowel movements, continuing with the current feeding amount is fine.
As for determining if the baby has received enough milk, several intuitive indicators can be used:
Observe the breastfeeding frequency, newborns need to breastfeed 8-10 times a day in the early stages, and at least 8 times by three months old.
Check the excretion situation, babies exclusively breastfed should urinate at least 6 times a day, pass yellowish soft stools 2-4 times a day, which indicates sufficient milk intake.
Sleep quality is also a significant sign, a well-fed baby can sleep continuously for about 4 hours, with deep sleep and less crying.
Regularly monitor weight gain, under normal circumstances, babies should gain around 170 grams per week, and after 3 months, a monthly weight gain of about 500 grams shows adequate feeding.
Finally, the baby’s emotional state is also a reference, a cheerful mood and responsiveness usually indicate sufficient food intake.
By utilizing the above methods, parents can better understand the baby’s feeding needs and ensure their healthy growth.
