For babies who cannot be breastfed, formula becomes an important source of nutrition. The design of formula aims to mimic the components of breast milk, and although it cannot completely replace breast milk, its nutritional value is quite close, so parents need not worry about their baby suffering from nutritional deficiencies due to formula feeding. As the baby grows, the nutritional needs and intake of formula will change at different stages. However, newborns may encounter digestive issues when drinking formula; what should be done in this case?
The digestive system of newborns is relatively fragile, and compared to breastfeeding, formula feeding is more likely to cause digestive problems. Once it is discovered that the baby has digestive discomfort, it is recommended not to hastily change the formula brand to avoid exacerbating the baby’s discomfort. Parents should wait for the baby’s digestive system to return to normal before considering switching formulas. The transition should be gradual to ensure the baby’s digestive system adapts over time. If digestive discomfort leads to a decrease in milk intake, it may affect the baby’s growth indicators. In this case, one can try using formula specifically designed to regulate the digestive system, and switch formulas gradually after the baby’s bowel movements return to normal.
Digestive discomfort may not only arise from improper feeding but can also be related to gastrointestinal inflammation, misuse of antibiotics, temperature drops, low immunity, or cold exposure to the abdomen. Long-term digestive discomfort not only affects nutrient absorption but is particularly detrimental to brain development in children under three years old, potentially leading to long-term impacts on cognitive development.
As for the formula intake for newborns, it is initially recommended to start with 20-30ml, and the actual amount should be adjusted based on the baby’s needs. The baby will stop sucking when full. Most formula packaging provides feeding guidelines; following these recommendations and using the accompanying measuring scoop is most appropriate. In the first few days of life, the daily feeding amount is about 100-200 milliliters per kilogram of body weight, fed 7-8 times daily, with intervals of 3-3.5 hours. From one month to two months, the amount of formula should appropriately increase with the baby’s weight, fed 6-7 times daily, with intervals extended to 3.5-4 hours, with each feeding around 80-120 milliliters, and up to 150 milliliters at most. When fully formula-fed, it can be simply calculated based on the baby’s weight, requiring around 500 grams of whole milk formula per kilogram of weight each month. For example, a 6-kilogram baby would need about 3000 grams of formula per month, roughly equivalent to 6 bags of commercially available formula. Of course, the most accurate dosage guidance should also refer to the product manual of the formula.
