How Much Milk Should The Baby Take?
One of the things that most worries women who become mothers for the first time is the amount of milk that the baby should take. Pediatricians often hear the question “Are you still hungry or am I giving him too much to eat?”.
Don’t despair, there are some signs that your little one is being fed properly. Take note to find out how much milk he needs to take and watch him grow healthy.
How to know how much milk the baby should take
Before determining how much milk the infant should take, it is essential to know that the WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life. The reason is that the mother’s milk contains all the elements the baby needs to grow healthy and strong. For this reason, there is no specific quantity to give, but it must be given according to the request.
However, adverse factors may require supplementation or feeding the baby with formula milk. Even if it is the doctor who will have to give you the best indications regarding the feeding of the baby, you can learn to calculate the amount of milk you will have to provide. This will be evaluated based on its weight, age and other signals that the child can send.
How to calculate the amount of milk a newborn needs to take
During the first six months of life, infants feed only on breast milk or formula milk. For this reason, they eat very often, in many cases at least every three hours. Among the aspects to be evaluated to calculate the amount of milk to give to the baby there may be the following.
The weight of the little one
Depending on the weight of the baby, 80 milliliters of formula milk can be prepared for every 500 grams of weight. This means that, if your baby weighs 3 kilos, you can give him 480 milliliters divided over the day. Another way is to administer 160 milliliters for every pound of weight. During the first few days after birth, the quantity will be minimal; however, this will increase over time.
It should be emphasized that these are just standards and procedures that can help determine the amount of milk a baby is likely to have. There will be days when he eats a little more, but the reverse is also possible.
Depending on the signals that the child sends
Another way of calculating how much milk your baby needs is to follow the hunger signals he sends. Sometimes, hunger can increase because it is determined by the process of growth and development. Therefore, pay attention to the following signs:
- The little one continues to cry after eating. You may also see him wanting if you put your fingers in his mouth or looking for food if you run your hand near his face. In these cases, you can prepare a small amount of milk to make up for the lack.
- Otherwise, if you feel unwell, you may be consuming less milk.
- There will be occasions when he may consume more than he really needs and start throwing up. This can be an indicator of the quantity that can be offered to him.
Experts indicate that babies need to be fed whenever they require it. However, try to learn to understand his needs, since, since it is common for the act of sucking to be a comfort, the baby could be overeating due to anxiety.
How to know if the baby is being fed correctly?
It is one thing to know if the baby is full and quite another to know if he is well fed. This will be determined by the pediatrician in his control of growth and development. A good sign is if you see him growing, if the number of bowel movements matches the number of meals, and if he remains quiet after eating.
Remember that every child is different; therefore, avoid being so strict with quantities and times during the first few months. So if you see that he’s happy, big and strong, you’re sure to be doing your job well.
In conclusion, knowing how much milk your baby needs to take will give you an idea of how to feed him to grow healthy and strong. Most important to him is your great love and understanding. Consult your pediatrician for the issues that cause you concern and enjoy your baby to the fullest; it will grow very fast!
