How much milk should a baby drink daily? How can you tell if a newborn’s intake is normal?

For newborn babies, sufficient milk intake helps them grow healthily. But how much milk does a baby actually need each day to be enough? How can you tell whether a baby has had enough to eat? This time, 10Life will share the recommended milk intake for newborns with all parents, and show you how to determine whether your baby is getting enough milk, so that you can properly meet your baby’s nutritional needs.

New parents are often worried that their baby is not drinking enough milk. In fact, a baby’s daily milk intake changes as they grow. In the first few days after birth, a baby’s stomach capacity is relatively small, so the amount they drink each time is usually smaller and more frequent, generally requiring milk every 2 to 3 hours. Over the following weeks, babies grow rapidly and their stomach capacity gradually increases, so they will need milk about every 3 to 4 hours, with each feed being around 60 to 90 millilitres. When a baby is 1 to 2 months old, feeding times become more regular and the intervals gradually lengthen; by 2 to 6 months, babies begin to establish a day-and-night routine, sleeping continuously for 5 to 6 hours at night and waking in the early morning for milk, while their intake also increases. It is worth noting that babies may sometimes want to feed frequently during certain periods; there is no need to worry too much, and you can simply feed them according to their needs.

Every baby’s appetite will vary. Below is the recommended milk intake for newborn babies in their first few months:

To find out whether a newborn baby is getting enough milk, mums can observe the number of nappy changes, bowel movements and weight gain:

Number of nappy changes

To assess whether a baby is getting enough milk, you can judge by observing the frequency of urination and the colour of the urine. Usually, during the first two days after birth, because the milk intake is still low, the number of nappy changes per day is around 1 to 2. As milk intake increases, by day 3 or 4 there should be at least 3 wet nappies a day, and the nappies will be noticeably wetter. Once the baby is one week old, the number of nappy changes should reach 5 to 6 times a day, with each nappy holding about 3 tablespoons of urine. If the number of nappy changes is below these standards, this may indicate insufficient milk intake. In addition, if the baby’s urine is clear and pale yellow, this means the baby is getting enough milk.

Stool colour

The colour and texture of the stool are important indicators of whether a baby is getting enough milk. For a 5-day-old baby, the stool should gradually change from the dark green meconium to a golden yellow colour, and its texture should also change from sticky to a softer, paste-like consistency, sometimes with small granules. This indicates that the baby’s digestive system is gradually maturing and that milk intake is sufficient.

Weight gain

If you want to know whether a baby is getting enough milk, the most direct method is to regularly check the baby’s weight. In the first few days after birth, a baby’s weight may drop slightly, which is normal and nothing to worry about. By two weeks, the baby’s weight should gradually recover and begin to increase steadily. Generally speaking, within the first two months, a baby’s weight should increase by more than 0.5 kg per month. If the baby’s weight gain curve starts to flatten, this may indicate that the baby is not taking in enough milk and adjustments are needed.

If you want to know immediately whether your baby has had enough to eat, mothers can look out for the following signs:

Observe the feeding rhythm

Your baby’s feeding rhythm can help us determine whether they are full. Under normal circumstances, when a baby is feeding, they will have a steady sucking rhythm. When the baby starts to feed more slowly and the sucking force weakens, this is usually a sign that they are already full.

Observe their expression after feeding

When the baby is full, they will relax their limbs and their body will appear comfortable. They may show a contented smile and even start to doze off.

Observe your baby’s body language

When the baby gently pushes the teat or nipple away with their tongue, this also indicates that they are already full.

Every parent hopes their baby will grow up healthy and happy. In addition to loving care, medical insurance is also essential. Children have weaker immunity and are more prone to illness, and may even require hospitalisation at times. As such, taking out medical insurance can help them access suitable treatment more flexibly. Parents who are concerned about their children’s health may consider choosing medical insurance that meets their children’s needs as early as possible. If needed, you may refer to 10Life’s earlier article on comparing premiums and deductibles of different Voluntary Health Insurance plans for children, or explore 10Life’s Insurance Decoder to get a preliminary understanding.

Further reading:
How to get baby solids right? Master the weaning schedule, recipes and food order, with a BLW guide!
[Baby vaccination guide] All-in-one infant and children’s vaccination schedule, plus private clinic vaccination prices
[Young children’s insurance] What medical insurance should parents buy for kindergarten children?

Notes:
1. Department of Health. Bottle-feeding guidelines - how to properly prepare formula and safely feed infants

Last updated: 26 September 2024

This English version of this article has been generated by machine translation powered by AI. It is provided solely for reference purposes. In the event of any discrepancy or inconsistency between this translation and the original Chinese version, the Chinese version shall prevail.