The first time you introduce solid foods to your newborn, you might wonder how often your newborn should eat. Your newborn’s stomach is tiny – the size of a ping-pong ball – so it can only hold so much milk at a time. But, as it grows, it will stretch and take on larger volumes of milk. Often, you can start by feeding your baby only when they’re hungry.
The AAP doesn’t care how you introduce solid foods to your newborn, but it does recommend that you stick to one for three to five days before introducing another. This is important because your newborn’s stomach is still too small to process one new food. Besides, the texture of a pureed food can cause a rash, diarrhea, or vomiting. You don’t want to make your baby chomp on a cereal that will only cause a rash.
Breastmilk is much easier to digest than formula, so your newborn may only require a half-ounce of colostrum at a time for the first 24 hours. As they grow, they may need up to 45 minutes per nursing session. During this time, you should aim to feed your newborn eight to 12 times a day. This can be a little difficult in the beginning, but it will become more routine with time.
A newborn’s stomach is so small that it can only hold so much milk. At ten days old, their stomach is about the size of a golf ball, but by then, they can hold only two ounces of milk. In comparison, formula takes much longer to digest, so your newborn may not want to eat as often as they should. When they’re thirsty, they move their heads. This means they’re hungry.
Breastfeeding is a natural process and should be guided by your newborn’s hunger signals. If your newborn seems to be sleepy, wake him up to ensure that he gets at least eight feedings in a day. When nursing, the amount of milk released is also subjective and may vary from one baby to another, but if your newborn is alert and awake, it’s likely that he or she is hungry enough to drink milk.
Feeding your newborn is an important part of your baby’s development, and you may have many questions. Questions about feeding and sleep schedules are common. Mustela experts can answer these questions and help you understand your newborn’s unique feeding schedule. Depending on your newborn’s age and health, it may take longer for a newborn to settle down for a feeding, but it’s important to know the early feeding cues.
Also Read: How Often Should a 2 Month Old Eat?
Your pediatrician will monitor your newborn’s weight and determine the amount of food your baby needs. A newborn loses around 7-10% of his birth weight during the first week. This is normal and healthy, but if you notice that your baby loses more than 10%, your pediatrician will likely suggest formula to prevent dehydration and low blood sugar. During the first two weeks, you should aim to feed your baby around the clock to achieve the optimal growth rate.
