What and How Much Should I Feed My Baby?

One of the most common questions that new parents ask is how often they should feed their babies and what to feed them - should they opt for breast milk or formula? Fortunately, the answers are simple, and your babies will be the one to let you know.

How do I know when my baby is hungry?

Babies who are born prematurely or with certain medical conditions should be fed by your pediatrician's advised scheduled feedings. However, for healthy and full-term infants, parents can observe their babies rather than the clock for hunger cues. This practice is called feeding on-demand or responsive feeding.

Typical hunger cues or signs includes:

• Licking lips and sticking tongue out
• Putting his/her hand, fingers, and fist to mouth repeatedly
• Moving their heads from side to side
• Puckering their lips as if to suck
• Opening their mouths
• Rooting (moving jaw and mouth or head in search for breast
• Crying

Despite what you think, crying is a late sign of hunger. It would help if you feed your babies before they get too hungry that they get upset, and calming them down becomes difficult.

How much should I feed my baby?

If you started feeding your baby through breastfeeding, they should eat as often as long as they want, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Most newborns nurse every 2 to 3 hours, counting from the beginning of each session. So, in a day, that is around 8 to 12 feedings. Still, you should let your baby guide you instead of looking at the clock, offering your breasts whenever they show signs of hunger.

For formula-fed babies, there is no single number that suits and works for everyone. The amount your formula-fed baby eats will depend on his or her weight, age, and appetite.

Here is a general idea of how much formula your bottle-fed baby will take:

• First few weeks: 1 to 3 ounces of formula every 3 to 4 hours. Wake your baby for feeding if he sleeps longer than 5 hours
• First month: At least 4 ounces every 4 hours
• By 6 months: 24 to 36 ounces spread out over 4 or 5 feedings per day

Note that as your baby grew older, his or her feedings will space out, and his or her stomach will get bigger.

If you are both breastfeeding and formula-feeding your baby, it does not have to be complicated. You can follow the basic guidelines for breastfeeding and formula-feeding based on your baby's age. By paying attention to your baby's hunger and fullness cues, you can quickly figure out the right rhythm. If you are still wary and unsure about the amounts and measurements, you can always consult your baby's pediatrician for more guidance.

Figuring out how much milk to feed your baby can feel overwhelming, especially if you are a new parent. However, take heart and observe in knowing that your little one tends to be good at getting and implying what he or she needs, so follow his or her lead while keeping the general guidelines in mind. Before long, you will settle into a comfortable routine and be a baby feeding pro.