Welcome to the incredible journey of parenthood — a path filled with beauty, challenges, and profound rewards. As you step into this new role, it's natural for one of your earliest concerns to be your newborn's nutrition. However, it's completely normal to have questions about your baby's milk intake. With the right knowledge and support, you'll discover that you are more than equipped to care for your newborn's nutritional needs confidently. As we delve into the essentials of newborn milk intake and feeding schedules, consider this guide your stepping stone to a confident and well-informed approach to nurturing your little one.
What is the Recommended Newborn Milk Intake?
The initial week of life is a pivotal time for your newborn, marked by rapid growth and significant changes, including the gradual expansion of their tiny stomach. This period demands your attention and adaptability, especially when it comes to their milk intake. You may notice your baby engaging in cluster feeding — this isn’t just normal; it’s crucial. These frequent feeding sessions are nature’s way of ensuring your baby’s nutritional needs are met while simultaneously encouraging your body to produce more milk.
For nursing mothers, it’s important to recognise that a newborn's milk intake isn’t constant; it fluctuates to match the rhythm of their growth and hunger cues. Rather than adhering to a rigid schedule or quantity, the key is to stay observant and responsive to your baby's hunger signals. This approach might seem daunting at first, given the challenge of quantifying how much your baby consumes at each feed. However, this adjustment period is also an opportunity to deepen your understanding of your baby’s needs and build a foundation of trust and responsiveness between you.
During these early days, patience and reassurance are your best allies. As you navigate this stage together, you’ll find your rhythm. To assist you in this journey, we've prepared a detailed chart that outlines recommended milk intake (ml) based on your baby’s age from day one to the end of the first week. It offers a flexible framework for feeding frequencies and volumes, providing a reference point while encouraging you to adapt based on your baby’s cues and needs.
|
Age |
Milk per Feed (ml) |
Feeds per Day |
Total Daily Milk (ml) |
Stomach Size Comparison |
|
1 day |
Few drops to 5 |
8 feeds |
Total of 30 |
Cherry |
|
2 days |
5 to 15 |
8 feeds |
Total of 30 to 120 |
Walnut |
|
3 days |
15 to 30 |
8 feeds |
Total of 120 to 240 |
Walnut |
|
4 days |
30 to 45 |
8 feeds |
Total of 240 to 360 |
Apricot |
|
5-7 days |
45 to 60 |
8 feeds |
Total of 360 to 540 |
Apricot |
Example Newborn Baby Feeding Schedules by Age
Each little one is delightfully different, and while it's essential to be flexible and responsive to your baby's hunger signals, it's equally crucial to ensure they're getting enough to eat. Think of the following feeding schedules as a canvas — a starting point from which you can paint the daily routine that best suits your baby’s unique needs and patterns.
Newborn to 1 Month
Milk per feed: Approximately 60-90 ml
Feeds per day: 8-12 times
Welcome to the world of newborn feeding, where being in tune with your baby’s hunger cues is key. During the first month, your newborn will need to feed frequently, typically every 1 to 3 hours. This frequent feeding isn't just about sustenance; it's also essential for promoting healthy growth and ensuring that your milk supply continues to meet your baby's increasing demands. Look for cues such as restlessness, lip movements, and, of course, crying, which is a late sign of hunger.
1 to 3 Months
Milk per feed: 90-150 ml
Feeds per day: 7-9 times
By now, you and your baby are becoming more familiar with each other's rhythms. Feeding schedules may become more predictable, and you’ll likely notice longer periods between feedings. It's important to continue feeding based on your baby's signals. They are becoming more efficient at feeding, so they may spend less time on each feeding session but consume more milk.
3 to 6 Months
Milk per feed: 150-210 ml
Feeds per day: 5-7 times
Introduction of solids: Not before the 6-month mark, and with care
During this transition phase, it's important to continue breastfeeding as you introduce new flavours and textures to your baby’s diet. Solids at this stage are just a supplement to the essential nutrition they receive from breast milk. To seamlessly blend the two, offer breast milk before solids to ensure your baby still gets all the benefits of breast milk, including necessary antibodies and comfort.
6 to 9 Months
Milk per feed: 210-240 ml
Feeds per day: 4-5 times
Solids: Start exploring a variety of tastes and textures
The introduction of finger foods can help develop your baby’s motor skills and encourage self-feeding. Soft, easy-to-grip foods like small pieces of ripe banana or steamed vegetables are great options. Remember to supervise your baby during meals to ensure safety as they learn to chew and swallow more solid textures.
9 to 12 Months
Milk per feed: 240-250 ml
Feeds per day: 3-4 times
Solids: A significant portion of the diet
This is an exciting time as your baby becomes an increasingly independent eater. It's the perfect opportunity to introduce a wider variety of family foods chopped into manageable pieces. Encourage the use of utensils, even though much will end up on the floor or in their lap! It's all part of the learning process.
These schedules are not one-size-fits-all but are provided as a guide. Your newborn may need more or less milk or food intake than what's listed here, and that's perfectly fine. Always let your baby's hunger and fullness cues guide you, and consult with a paediatrician or lactation consultant in Singapore if you have any concerns about your baby's nutrition.
Tips for Establishing a Feeding Routine
Creating a nurturing feeding routine for your little one means tuning in to their unique signals. Here are some tips to guide you:
- Observe Baby Cues: Watch for early hunger signs such as stirring, sucking motions, and turning the head towards the breast or bottle. Recognising these cues early on means you can feed your baby before they start crying, which is often a later sign of hunger.
- Look for Signs of Satiety: Just as important as knowing when your baby is hungry is understanding when they’ve had enough. Signs of fullness include slowing down, releasing the nipple, and turning away from the breast or bottle.
- Monitor Growth and Bowel Movements: Regular check-ups will help monitor your baby’s growth, and keeping track of their diaper changes can inform you about their digestion and general health. These observations can help you adjust feedings as needed.
Remember, every baby's feeding needs are unique, and what works for one may not work for another. At Hegen Lactation Centre, we embrace all aspects of newborn care with our comprehensive newborn care course, along with handy resources such as a list of things to prepare for your newborn and a guide to foods that increase breast milk supply, ensuring you have enough milk for your baby. Whether you're seeking support with milk intake and feeding schedules or simply looking for a community that understands, we're here to support your parenting journey with expert guidance and a compassionate approach.