How Much Milk Do Babies Need?

Am I feeding my baby often enough? Is he or she consuming enough milk at each feed?

These are two of the most common concerns for mothers with young or newborn children. And because no two babies are the same, unfortunately it can often be very difficult to get a straight answer. Doctors generally advise feeding between eight and 12 times per day for the first month and eight to 10 times per day thereafter. It is more difficult, though, to say exactly how much is necessary per feed. Yet there are some guidelines that can be helpful.

The first week

With so much going on in the first week, it’s important to understand ahead of time your newborn’s feeding requirements. His or her intake of milk will increase rapidly through this week, beginning with a very small amount at each feed and increasing up to an average of 65 ml per feed. Here’s a general guide:

Age	Milk Consumed Per Feed
1 day	7 ml
2 days	14 ml
3 days	38 ml
4 days	58 ml
one week	65 ml

While doctors and the World Health Organisation advise that breastfeeding is always the healthiest option, if you do need to feed your newborn formula, your baby will likely consume larger portions per feed.

It’s important to note that these are average numbers. Some babies may consume more or less, of course. If your baby comes off your breast on his or her own and seems settled after a feed, you should feel confident that he or she is getting enough milk. Unfortunately, it’s very difficult to say how much time this should take, as some babies will feed extremely quickly, while others will take their time. And often your breasts will produce different amounts of milk, so your baby may prefer feeding from one side over the other. This is completely natural.

Up to six months

Throughout the first month, your baby should begin to get into a routine of feeding, both in terms of times and amount. By the time your baby is one month old, he or she will be consuming on average 750 ml of breastmilk, though depending on the child this can range between 570 and 900 ml. Thus the actual amount consumer per feed will depend on how often your child feeds each day. Your baby will undergo a series of growth spurts during these months, during which he or she is likely to increase the volume of feed. For the most part, though, even as your baby’s weight increases, the volume of breastmilk should stay about the same.

Beyond six months

At about six months, you may begin to introduce solids into your baby’s diet, in which case the volume of milk consumed will likely decrease some. Milk should still make up the majority of your baby’s nutrition during this period, if possible. Any changes in feeding should be gradual, so your baby should never experience any sudden changes in how much milk they receive. If you choose to continue to breastfeed for up to two and three years of age, generally your baby will consume 400 to 550 ml per day during the second year and about 300 to 350 ml during the third.

Once again, every baby is different. If you are worried about whether your baby is eating enough, you should always talk with your paediatrician. But if you trust your instincts and follow your baby’s lead, you can usually feel confident that you’re doing it right.

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Important Notice

Thanks for reading our blog. We hope you found this information interesting.

• The World Health Organisation recommends that breastfeeding is best for your baby.

• Having a balanced diet when breastfeeding is also important. Baby formulas should only be used after you’ve sought advice from a doctor or health practitioner.

• A decision not to breastfeed can be difficult to reverse and introducing partial bottle feeding will reduce the supply of breast milk. It is also wise to consider the cost of infant formula.

• If you use infant formula, all preparation and feeding instructions must be followed as per the manufacturer’s instructions. This is important for your baby’s health.