HealthPartners - Preparing for childbirth

HOW MUCH BABIES EAT Babies have very tiny tummies. That’s why you need to feed them 8 or more times in a 24-hour period. The goal is for babies to double their birth weight within 4 to 6 months. Full-term healthy infants can regulate their milk intake when you feed them in response to their feeding cues instead of trying to feed them on a preset schedule. This is called “feeding on cue.” It’s normal to wonder if your baby is getting enough to eat. Here are some of the signs that everything is going well: • Your baby is breastfeeding 8 or more times every 24 hours • Your breasts feel less full after a feeding • You can hear your baby swallowing milk • Your baby is relaxed or falls away from your breast • Your baby is happy between most feedings • You’re tracking your baby’s feedings on a feeding log If you think your baby isn’t taking in enough milk, talk to your health care provider or a lactation consultant.

BREASTFEEDING

Approximate Milk Volumes and the Newborn Stomach Size

Size of a grape 5-7 ml 1-1 ½ teaspoons DAY 1

Size of a cherry tomato 22-27 ml 1 ½-2 tablespoons DAY 3

Size of an apricot 45-60 ml 1 ½-2 ounces DAY 7

At 1 month, newborn tummies hold about 80-150 ml (3-5 ounces).

Chapter 9: Breastfeeding 105