Formula for calculating the amount of breast milk for a preterm infant

The development of premature babies depends very much on care and care in the first minutes after birth. The amount of breast milk for premature babies, therefore, needs more meticulous calculations.

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How to calculate the amount of milk for a baby every day

7 essential nutritional factors for preterm babies

But save a special difference mother needs attention

After birth, the amount of breast milk for premature babies every day is always specifically instructed by doctors to soon gain weight and develop comprehensively as normal babies.

According to WHO, there are many different cases of preterm birth, gestational age varies from 28-37 weeks. Regardless of the gestational week of birth, the disadvantages of premature babies are also greater than that of term babies. Because your baby will not have a chance to get the nutrients in the last 3 months of pregnancy, it is difficult to eat and drink. So premature babies also need a special diet compared to normal babies.

How to calculate the amount of milk for a baby every day

This calculation formula applies to breastmilk or formula feeding.

The amount of breast milk for preterm infants should be carefully calculated

The first day

Infants on the first day need 60-70 ml / kg. Then increase 10ml per day for 1 kg of weight if the baby tolerates milk well (note only increase up to 200ml, no more increase).

For example: If a baby is born 1,500g, the first day after birth, we give 70 x 1,5kg = 120ml, and divide 120ml by 10-12 meals (ie feed every 2 hours) = 8 - 10ml / meal.

When the child was 8 days old

If the interval between 2 meals is 2 hours, then there will be an increase of 70ml / kg milk: (70ml + 70ml the first day = 140ml), we calculate the following formula:

(140ml x 1.5kg) / 10 - 12 meals = 17-20 ml / meal.

With formula for preterm babies, the amount of milk should only cover about 1/3 of the baby's daily needs and gradually decrease until the mother has fully enough milk.

Example: Children who eat 150ml of breast milk should only give 50ml of formula.

Small notes when preparing formula In addition to making formula according to instructions and keeping hygiene, mothers should "invest" time with them until their children enjoy all their drinks.

7 essential nutritional factors for preterm babies

After birth , nutrition is essential for babies to strengthen their resistance to premature babies. Here are 7 essential factors parents need to keep in mind:

1. Energy

50-100 kcal / kg / day

110-140 kcal / kg / day for the following days if the child is less than 2,000g.

130-140 kcal / kg / day if the weight is over 2,000g.

2. Drinking water 

60-100 ml / kg / day for the first week

180-200 ml / kg / day for the following weeks but not to exceed 200 ml / day.

3. Protid:  2.5-3 g / kg / day. When gaining weight 4-5 g / kg / day

4. Lipid : 2-3 g / kg / day

5. Glucid : 12-15 mg / kg / day

6.Vitamin D: 800-1,000 units / day

7. Vitamin C : 50 mg / day

8. Vitamin E: 5-10 mg / day

Note, absolutely should not practice bottle-feeding whether full term or preterm because the baby will get used to the bottle and refuse to breastfeed, this will make breastfeeding more difficult. When the baby is 6 months old and developing normally, it is advisable to practice the baby with solids on the principle of little to much, from soft to hard, from thin to thick and monitor the child's digestion.

But save a special difference mother needs attention

In addition to feeding the baby the right amount of milk, mothers need to pay attention to a number of important issues such as:

Interval between meals : It is best from 1h30 minutes to every 2 hours and this will increase as the baby gets older.

Specifically: Children 1.5 kg every 1.5 hours. Children 2 kg every 2 hours. Children from 3 kg every 3 hours.

Regarding vaccination : If the weight of premature babies meets the permitted standards, the vaccination schedule is at the same time after birth as full term babies. Vaccination is the best way to prevent disease.

Choose and wear clothes that are warm enough for your child when going out

Dressing style : Preterm babies have poor resistance, poor immunity, so keeping the baby warm is very important. Despite the hot weather, children are also very susceptible to hypothermia. The reason is that the baby has too thin subcutaneous fat, poor ability to hold heat. During the changing seasons or during the cold season, babies need to stay in a room with a stable temperature, wear a thin hat, wear socks and socks, keep warm neck and stomach.

Proper sunbathing : Vitamin D is essential and every child needs sunbathing. However, with premature babies, you should not bathe every day because your baby's skin is easily dry. Just 1-2 times a week is enough. After bathing, wipe the child's face every day with warm water, pay attention to the area under the chin, where milk is prone to accumulation. Until the child has stable weight gain, gradually increase the number of sunbathing times.

Massage for children : The right massage method helps premature babies quickly and harden, helps the child's respiratory apparatus work better, improve the baby's body's resistance, accelerate metabolism and digging discharging toxins through the skin ...

Thus, along with the above notes, the provision of adequate and correct breast milk for preterm infants is important and necessary for the comprehensive development of the baby in the future.