How Much Milk Do Babies Need?
Breastfed babies consume smaller quantities of milk when compared to those fed on formula milk. According to research, a newborn baby typically needs 8-12 feeds during the first few weeks after birth (2). The milk intake of the baby may increase after five days to a month. Thereafter, it remains almost constant for up to six months. After about a month, the average intake of breast milk remains at an average of 25oz (750ml) per day up to about five months of age (3). Depending on the number of times your baby feeds every day, you can determine the amount of milk that needs to be expressed per bottle/ per feed. So, if your baby feeds nine times a day, the average amount of milk per feed would be around 2.78oz (83.33ml).
According to Dr. Cindy Rubin, a pediatrician and breastfeeding specialist, “It is important to note that some babies land outside the typical ranges, and therefore, all mothers should still use their best judgment, observe the baby’s cues, and follow the pediatrician’s guidance when determining how much their baby should eat, and remember that it will also vary a bit day to day.”
So, don’t worry if you have to express the same amount of milk for the baby for up to six months. Most importantly, do not compare your baby’s milk intake with that of other babies, as long as your child is happy, healthy, active, and their doctor is happy with their overall weight gain. These numbers are general guidelines but remember, every baby is different, and some will be outliers. Also, factors like illness, growth spurts, or changes in mood can influence how much milk your baby drinks on any given day (4). What’s most important is to focus on your baby’s well-being and trust your instincts, rather than comparing to others (5) (6).
| Your baby’s age | Amount of milk per feed |
|---|
| Day 1 (0 to 24 hours) | 2 to 10ml |
| Day 2 (24 to 48 hours) | 5 to 15ml |
| Day 3 (48 to 72 hours) | 15 to 30ml |
| Day 4 (72 to 96 hours) | 58ml (2fl oz) |
| Day 7 (144 to 168 hours) | 30 to 59ml |
How Much Milk Does a Baby Need When Eating Solids?
If your baby has started eating solids, they may need lower quantities of milk over time. Typically, babies are introduced to solid foods between four to six months of age, depending upon the signs of readiness (7). The AAP recommends breastfeeding alongside suitable solid foods starting around six months, and continuing for two years or longer if both the mother and child wish to do so (8). Breast milk remains the primary source of calories and nutrition for the baby even after six months, although the amount of intake may drop slightly.
Babies usually settle on three feeds of solid foods roughly after eight months. The tendency for older babies to sleep longer stretches overnight and take more predictable naps during the day means that the amounts taken during the day will be distributed differently – they may take fewer bottles, but each bottle may have more milk in it. On average, they may need six to seven ounces of breast milk per feed three to five times daily. Ideally, breast milk is the first meal that a baby should have during the day, followed by solid foods.
As a parent, you may be anxious to know exactly how much food your baby needs daily. But experts recommend letting the baby decide that – most babies can do that themselves. All you need to do is provide them with healthy foods and offer them breastmilk based on the ranges outlined previously to ensure complete nourishment.
If you’re concerned about low milk supply, there are several strategies you can try. Breastfeed frequently and for as long as your baby desires. It’s important to avoid giving formula bottles or pacifiers during the first six months to help establish breastfeeding. Offer both breasts at each feeding, and alternate which one you start with. After each feed, expressing some milk can help increase your supply (10).
Breast milk is the ideal food for infants because it is naturally tailored to meet their nutritional needs. It contains the right amounts of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals that support healthy growth (11). While formula or animal milk can be alternatives, they may not be as good as breast milk. Research indicates that giving cow’s milk to babies increases the risk of anemia and intestinal blood loss (12).Below are some specific differences between particular types of milk.
| Mother’s Milk | Animal Milk | Formula Milk |
|---|
| Bacterial Contaminants | None | Likely (13) | Likely when mixed (14) |
| Anti-Infective Factors | Available (15) | Not Available | Not Available |
| Growth factors | Available (16) | Not Available (17) | Not Available (16) |
| Protein (18) | In Correct Amount- simple To Digest | In Large Amount- Difficult To Digest(19) | Partly Corrected |
| Fat (19) | Contains Enough required fatty acids, lipase to digest | Lack in required fatty acids, No Lipase | Some lack essential fatty acids, No Lipase(20) |
| Iron (19) | Little Amount, Easily Absorbed | Little Amount, Not Easily Absorbed | Added Extra, Not absorbed easily (21) |
| Vitamins | Good amount | Not Enough A and C (19) | Necessary Vitamins Are Added (22) |
| Water | Good amount | More Required | May Need Extra |
How Much Expressed Milk Is Your Baby Drinking – Too Much or Too Little?
When your baby breastfeeds, they know when to start and stop, depending on whether or not they had enough during that feed. The chances of overfeeding the baby are also less when you breastfeed. However, this may not be the case when your baby is fed expressed breast milk by bottle. So how do you know if your baby is getting too much or too little?
Too little milk could result in malnutrition of the baby, and too much can lead to overfeeding (23). Your baby may refuse to drink from a bottle initially because the bottle nipple may feel and taste different when compared to the mother’s skin. Hold the baby comfortably and rock them gently before trying the bottle again. If the baby still refuses, you can try feeding the baby with a spoon or a sipper. Most babies will adjust quickly to the bottle once they get accustomed to it and are comfortable with the caregiver.
Your baby may also drink more milk than needed when fed by a bottle. The steady and fast flow of milk from a bottle can be one of the main reasons for that. Learning to manage the pace of the feed is important. Here are a few points to keep in mind when feeding the baby expressed milk through a bottle (24).
- Prefer round-shaped nipple with a wide base. It is believed to encourage tongue and jaw movements similar to that of sucking at the breast.
- Do not thrust the bottle into the baby’s mouth. Be gentle, let the baby take in the nipple slowly and naturally.
- The type of nipple you choose is also important for pacing the feed. Initially, go for a bottle with a smaller opening to prevent the overflow of milk. A type that you could try is labeled as “slow flow” or “newborn.” Eventually, the type of nipple can be changed to suit the baby’s feeding pace.
While you can estimate the amount of milk your baby needs based on its intake, other signs can tell you whether or not your baby is getting enough milk every day (25).
- A well-fed baby nurses frequently, i.e., 8-12 times per 24 hours.
- The baby seems relaxed and content.
- Having three to four stools every day, especially in the early weeks of life.
- The number of wet diapers you change daily can give you a rough idea of your baby’s milk intake. Typically, a well-fed baby has about least six diapers changed every day after a month or two. However, this may not apply to all babies.
- Consistent growth in the baby’s weight can indicate that its intake is healthy. On average, a baby could gain about 155-240 grams or 5.5-8.5 ounces per week until four months of age.
- Check if the baby is alert, responsive, and active – these are good indicators of sufficient milk intake as well.
- Good skin color, proportionate growth in length and head circumference, and firm skin also indicate that your baby is getting the nourishment it needs.
Storing Expressed Breast Milk – What You Should Know
If you plan on returning to work, you will need to store expressed breast milk in clean containers. Breast milk can be expressed via hand or with a breast pump. Whichever mode you choose, you must take care of how you store expressed breast milk. It is crucial for your baby’s health and safety (26)(27)(28).
- After expressing the breast milk, store it in a sterilized glass or plastic container with air-tight lids. If you are using a plastic container, ensure that it is made of food-grade plastic and is BPA free.
- Always use a new container rather than add to previously refrigerated or frozen milk.
- Label the container with the date on which the milk was expressed.
- You can store breast milk at room temperature (77°F / 25°C or colder) for up to four hours. Whereas, if you need to store it for longer, you can store it in a refrigerator at 40°F (0-4°C) for up to four days. You can keep it up to six to twelve months if you store the containers in the freezer compartment of the refrigerator.
- Do not store breast milk in the door of the refrigerator. It is important to protect breast milk from temperature changes that could happen due to the opening and closing of the door.
- When freezing breast milk, take small quantities of milk to avoid wasting. Also, leave about an inch of space at the top of the container because breast milk tends to expand on freezing.
- Never heat the expressed milk in a microwave or on the stove as it could create hot spots that could burn your baby’s mouth. You can feed stored breast milk to your infant cold or at room temperature. In case you need to warm it, use a hot water container and place the bottle in it to warm.
- Stored breast milk, when warmed or brought to room temperature, must be used within two hours.
- If there is leftover milk in the bottle, it is best not to use it again after refrigeration.
While it may be convenient to store expressed breast milk for a week or more, fresh milk is always better.
Expertise: Pediatrics and Breastfeeding MedicineExperience: 19 years
