Milk Requirements for Babies
Is my baby getting enough to eat? That can be one of the most worrisome questions for new parents. Infants need the correct types and amounts of food to gain weight, develop their young brain and generally thrive. Ask your pediatrician about your concerns, but here are some basic guidelines for milk requirements for babies.
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Breast milk and Newborn Babies
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La Leche League International states that breastfed newborns should be fed on demand, but at least 8 to 12 times every 24 hours. A good sign that babies are getting enough milk is for them to have four to six wet diapers a day. They should also have at least two to three dirty diapers a day.
Growth Spurts
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As breastfed babies get older they will fall into more of a pattern for eating, but may suddenly start nursing constantly again. This is likely a growth spurt and the constant nursing tells your body to produce more milk. Babies will usually go back to their regular pattern in a day or two.
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Formula
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Dr. Williams Sears, a pediatrician, advises that newborn babies may only eat 1 to 2 oz. of formula per feeding, but by six months babies may eat 8 oz. per feeding. From birth through 6 months, babies need 2 to 2.5 oz. of formula per pound per day.
Solid Food
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Solid foods can be introduced around 6 months if babies are ready, but more nutritionally complete breast milk or formula should remain the babies' primary food until the baby's first birthday.
Cow's milk
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According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, whole cow's milk should not be introduced to babies until they are 1 year old.
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