[Childcare] Newborn Feeding Frequency and Formula Amount | Something's Not Quite Right | 0y1m | C-08

This time, I would like to summarize the feeding frequency and formula amount for our baby during the newborn period (from discharge until one month old).

From discharge to the two-week checkup

During the day, it was a mix of breastfeeding (about 5 minutes on each side) and formula, and at night, it was basically just formula. I didn't count the breast milk because the exact amount was unknown.

・Feeding frequency: 7–10 times a day
・Feeding interval: Roughly every 3 hours
・Formula amount: 30–60ml each time (*)
Daily total: 400–600ml

(*) The large variation in amount is likely due to fluctuations in breast milk supply and the fact that, as a newborn, the baby's swallowing strength and stomach digestion are still immature.

The goal was 80ml per feeding, but...

As a rough goal, I was trying to increase it to
80ml per feeding × 8 times = 640ml daily total
, but the baby would often be satisfied with about 40–60ml and fall asleep.

When the amount consumed was low, there was a tendency for the interval until the next hunger cry to become shorter, and

something just didn't feel right...

I had a feeling that things weren't going well.

Guidelines based on daily total

Regarding the daily feeding amount, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare guidelines suggest that
body weight (kg) × 150
is about the average.

The baby's weight at discharge was about 2600g, so

2.6kg body weight × 150
= 390 ml (guideline)

, and when compared to this standard, the
daily feeding amount was higher than the guideline.

Back when the baby was a newborn,

・Amount per feeding is low → Is it not enough??
・Daily total is higher than average → Is it too much??

I was quite worried because I was in a state where I didn't know where I stood.

Consultation at the two-week checkup

The two-week checkup was offered on an optional basis at the maternity clinic where I gave birth, specifically for those who had something they wanted to consult about.

I had many other things to consult about besides feeding, so I went and asked the midwife, and she told me...

・Since a baby's digestive system is immature, the amount per feeding tends to fluctuate.
・You can increase the frequency, so manage it by the "daily total".
・Check whether it's too much or too little, good or bad, by the "weight gain".
・Weight is increasing, but it's gradual, so it's okay to let them drink as much as they want.

...is what she said.

Also, regarding too much milk,if you really feed them beyond their capacity, they will vomitso as long as the baby is drinking without refusing, it's fine.

And, after consulting about breastfeeding as well, I decided to switch toexclusive formula feeding (full formula)entirely.

From the 2-week checkup to 1 month of age

Thinking, "I don't have to force myself to aim for 80ml per feeding!" made me feel relieved, and it seems the baby's digestive system gradually caught up, so the amount they could drink increased steadily.

・Feeding frequency: 8-9 times a day
・Feeding interval: Generally every 3 hours
・Milk volume 60-120ml each time
Daily total 600-900ml

Regarding the frequency, because the last feeding of the night might be around 23:50 or 0:10, the "number of times per day" fluctuated wildly every day,

"Oh! It's 7 times today!"
"It increased to 9 times today..."

which led to excessive emotional ups and downs, so I decided to manage it bygraphing the frequency and daily total using a 7-day moving average.

Blue (left axis) is the feeding frequency, and red (right axis) is the daily total.

Once I put it into a graph, it became easier to see whether it was on an upward or downward trend.

At first, the milk volume made me nervous, thinking "Is this okay??", but as the baby naturally acquired the strength to drink, by the time they reached 1 month of age,

・Feeding frequency: 8 times a day
・Feeding interval: Almost every 3 hours
・Milk volume 100-120ml each time
Daily total 800-900ml

it stabilized in this form.

During the newborn period, they would suddenly start crying from hunger in the middle of the night, and I would rush to boil water while screaming in my heart,
"Wait a minute!
It's only been two hours!"
but,

once the feeding intervals stabilized, I was able to respond with composure, thinking,
"Oh, it's been two and a half hours, so it's about time.
I'll start making the milk before they cry."

The nerve-wracking 1-month checkup

When measured at the 1-month checkup,
the weight was actually 3695g,

+905g in 14 days
+64.6g per day

so it had increased solidly.

At first, I was very worried about the feeding frequency and milk volume, but in the end, I'm really glad that the baby grew without any problems.

Summary

This time, I summarized the breastfeeding and milk feeding for the newborn period (from birth to one month old).

At first, I had great anxiety about whether I was feeding the baby properly, but by the time the baby was one month old, it settled into 8 times a day, every 3 hours, 800-900ml per day.

Regarding milk and breastfeeding, I plan to summarize it about every month from now on.

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