How much formula does your baby need per day?

That is a very challenging question for mothers. So how do you know if your baby has enough milk or not? Much depends on the baby's weight and growth rate

When do babies start to drink formula?

In general, naturally your baby will ask for food when hungry and stop fussing when he's full. But formula usually helps babies gain weight better than breast milk. Which formula your baby is suitable for depends on the taste and nutritional needs of each day and month of each baby.

The story sounds complicated, but in fact, the mother just needs to practice according to the simple instructions below and follow the doctor's request, so she will know how to give the baby formula properly.

The following information is for formula-fed babies for the first 4-6 months, followed by a combination of weaning until the baby turns 1 year old.

Mother remember to pay attention not to breastfeed more than 800ml of formula per day and can reduce the amount of formula milk when baby starts to eat solids. Mother should consult a doctor to know what stage of development, stable or not, from which to quantify the amount of milk needed each day. One more note is that if the mother is breastfeeding her baby with formula, consult a doctor for more specific advice for the baby.

The formula content is proportional to the baby's weight

If you breastfeed your baby exclusively with formula milk in the first 4-6 months, mothers need to remember the principle that the amount of formula: 125ml is equivalent to 1kg of baby's weight. For example, if the baby weighs 3kg, the mother should give the baby 125 x 3 = 375 ml of milk per day. If the baby weighs 5kg, the mother should give the baby 125 x 5 = 625ml of milk per day.

This is not a fixed formula, but only for mothers to imagine the average amount of milk the baby needs to consume each day. This amount will vary depending on the needs of each baby, some days the baby needs more or less than the above number.

How much does baby need when hungry?

Knowing when your baby is hungry correctly will be helpful for mothers to estimate when and how much they need to drink.

With infants:

If your baby is just born, he'll cry when he's hungry, but that's the last sign. Moms can tell when your baby is hungry sooner when he smiles his lips, sucks his mouth, or puts his head in your hand when you are holding his chin, or sucking his hand.

Content changes need:

Babies will usually be more hungry in the fast-growing stage, usually 10-14 days after birth, 3-6 weeks, 3-6 months. Babies often suckle less when they are not well.

When your baby needs more milk:

Mom is easy to recognize when the baby is finished drinking and continue to look around for signs of needing more. If the baby is still hungry after finishing the first bottle, the mother should add another 25ml, or 50ml. Mom do not prepare at the same time because the baby may not finish and she must pour the milk away.

When your baby sucks too much:

Vomiting after a bottle is the most obvious sign that your baby has been feeding too much. Usually the baby will not swallow any more and the milk will overflow, it does not take time for the baby to vomit to know this. Abdominal pain after a breastfeed is also a sign that your baby is feeding too much. If the baby raised their legs, or had a tummy tummy, the mother should be aware that the baby might be having colic at that time.

Babies aren't always hungry:

The mother should pay attention, babies don't always whimper and they're hungry. Mother pounded closely, if you first breastfeed, and the baby still cries, the diaper is too wet, the baby is hot, cold, nausea and the only thing the baby needs is being close to the mother.

The content of baby's milk needs according to age:

During the first week after birth, mothers should bottle-feed as needed. Then avoid giving your baby too much drink to achieve a healthy weight gain.

Most babies want to feed continuously, separated by a few hours. So mothers need to breastfeed about 35-50 ml / time in the first week, and gradually increase to 50ml - 75ml every 3-4 hours.

As the baby gets older, the stomach will also grow and can suckle more with each larger bottle, but less often. For example: about 1 month, your baby will suck about 4-5 100ml bottles in 1 day. And up to 6 months, babies can suck 4-5 bottles of 150ml-200ml / day. Babies will still maintain this "productivity" until 1 year old. Then, your baby can add 3 snacks and 2 snacks a day in addition to bottle feeding.

Signs that your baby is getting enough milk

Steady weight gain: The baby gains weight after the first 2 weeks and continues to maintain "performance" during the first year. (Most babies will lose about 10% of their weight and then gain again when they reach 2 weeks of age)

Happy baby: feels comfortable and happy when bottle feeding

Wet diapers: If you use absorbent diapers, you just need to change diapers 5-6 times a day, or 6-8 times if you use cloth diapers (but still absorb well)

Your baby will feel happy and comfortable when fully fed

Signs that your baby is taking too little, or too much bottle:

If you are worried that your baby is drinking too much or too little formula, consult your doctor to make a prayer that the amount of milk is suitable for weight, growth rate and age and to make appropriate adjustments. .

According to the study, the first 1000 days from the first day of pregnancy until the baby turns 2 years old is the only time to open a window of opportunity for the health and future of the baby. Therefore, these children need to be provided with adequate and appropriate nutrition.

For more information, please refer to the articles at https://www.marrybaby.vn/g/1000-ngay-dau-doi/