How much should a baby eat per day - every young mother asks herself this question. In order to easily calculate the daily nutritional intake for your baby, you need to arm yourself with a special simple formula: you only need to know the weight and age of the baby.
Feeding volumes in the first ten days of life
During the first latching on the baby to the breast in the hospital, he will receive very little - just a few precious drops of colostrum. This is due to the fact that the child does not yet know how to suckle, he gets tired quickly, in addition, colostrum is very concentrated. It is sufficient to meet the nutritional needs of a newborn. The volume of his stomach is only 7 ml.
Further, the child begins to attach to the breast more often and longer. The increase in the volume of eaten milk (from colostrum to transitional milk, then to mature milk) is quite rapid.
For the first day, the baby will drink only 10 ml of colostrum in one application. On the second day, the volume of daily colostrum will increase to 90 ml (10 - 30 ml at a time). On the third day, milk comes, now the child can eat up to 190 ml of milk per day (30 ml per feeding). On the fourth day, the total amount of milk eaten will increase to 300 ml (40 ml per feeding). On the fifth day, the newborn will eat 350 ml of milk (50 ml at a time).
On the sixth day, the baby will cope with 400 ml of mother's milk or formula (60 ml at a time). On the seventh day, the volume of each application will be 70 ml, and on the eighth - 80 ml. On the ninth and tenth days at a time, the baby will suck 80-90 ml of breast milk or formula from a bottle.
By one month, the baby's stomach volume will increase to 100 ml.
How to calculate feeding rates for a baby up to 10 days old
All calculations for determining the amount of the required amount of food for the baby can be divided into two: the calculation for the first ten days of life (newborn baby), and the second calculation for the baby from ten days of life to one year.
Formula for determining the amount of nutrition for a child in the first 10 days of his life:
N (number of days of life) x 10 = one-time amount of food for the child.
Daily food intake in the first 10 days of life:
If a child was born weighing up to 3200 grams, then the formula is as follows: age in days (N) x 70.
Example: a child of 5 days old with a weight of 2800 g should receive in a day: 5 x 70 = 350 ml of milk.
If a child was born with a mass of 3200 grams, then the formula is as follows: age in days (N) x 80.
Example: a child of 5 days old with a weight of 3800 g should receive in a day: 5 x 80 = 400 ml of milk.
How to calculate feeding rates for a child from 10 days to 1 year
Formula for determining the daily amount of food for a child from the first 10 days of his life to 1 year:
From 10 days to 6 weeks - 1/5 of body weight;
From 6 weeks to 4 months - 1/6 of body weight;
From 4 months to 6 months - 1/7 of body weight;
From 6 months to 8 months - 1/8 of body weight;
From 8 months to 12 months - 1/9 of body weight.
Example: a child of 1 month (4 weeks), weight 4000 g. The calculation of the daily volume of milk for him is as follows: 4000/5 = 800 ml.
Remember that until a child is one year old, the daily food intake should not exceed 1200 ml per day.
How to tell if your baby is getting enough milk
On breastfeeding, a weekly weight gain of 150-200 grams is considered normal, if less than 100 grams, then you should worry and take action. Babies eat up to 12 times a day, in order to control the amount of milk eaten by the baby at one time, use a baby scale: weigh in the same clothes with a diaper before and after one feeding. Write down the difference, show the pediatrician at the appointment.
There is also a way to track urination: there should be at least 5-6 wet diapers after the first three days of life. Monitor the baby's behavior, if he is restless, does not sleep well, often cries and looks for a breast with his mouth - conclude that the child is malnourished. A well-fed and contented child will be cheerful, cheerful, sleep well and for a long time, and will not show anxiety for no apparent reason.
