The ideal newborn stomach size is at least 20 mL. It is in line with published studies. No child should be hungry when milk is available. During the first few days after birth, newborn stomach size can increase by as much as two-thirds. In addition to being a key indicator of breastfeeding success, newborn stomach size can help mothers determine the right amount of milk to give their newborns. However, there is insufficient evidence to make definitive recommendations.
One of the leading purveyors of this lie is Christy Jo Hendricks. She created the “Newborn Stomach Size Chart,” which provides parents with an illustrated representation of a newborn baby’s stomach on day one. The product shows a range from double to nearly quintuple compared to the size of an adult. The problem is in the vocabulary. The typical newborn stomach size is five ccs, more significant than a teaspoon.
The newborn stomach can hold up to two ounces of milk per feeding. However, the walls of the infant’s stomach do not stretch on Day one. By day three, the stomach walls stretch out more readily, so babies can eat anything up to an ounce at a time. As a result, you will probably notice that your newborn’s stomach expands to the size of an extra-large chicken egg. However, the size of the newborn stomach varies significantly according to birth weight.
The stomach size of a newborn is directly related to the amount of milk the mother produces. Colostrum, a small sac of milk containing immunities and nutrients, fills a newborn’s stomach. Its size is often referred to as the baby’s “milk coming in”, and it is only a tiny portion of the total amount. In addition, it is essential to remember that colostrum does not grow as quickly as breast milk.
During the first few weeks of breastfeeding, a newborn’s stomach size is similar to an egg’s. It does not mean that the baby isn’t getting enough milk, but it does mean that the amount of food the newborn consumes is small. By day four or five, a baby’s stomach has stretched enough to store milk for more extended periods. It means that colostrum will last longer in the newborn’s stomach than if a woman had been breastfeeding for a year.
A baby’s stomach size will become more prominent over time. By the second day, the baby’s stomach size will be similar to an egg, holding at least forty-five to sixty ml of milk. During this time, babies must still be fed at least every 90 minutes to two hours. Many variables can delay the lactation phase, but frequent feeding can help. And once the baby reaches this stage, the milk will come in.
At three days, the baby’s stomach capacity will triple or quadruple. This amount is between 22 and 27 millilitres. During this time, a baby still takes in a small amount of milk at each feeding, but at this point, it has adapted to be more like a large chicken egg. By six months, the newborn’s stomach size will be approximately the same as an adult’s.
