How Much Intake Should My Breastfed Baby Get Daily?
Breastfeeding babies feed whenever they need to, often not following a strict schedule. They show early feeding cues whenever their bodies need nutrition to grow and wants to be fed.
The amount of milk a breastfeeding baby consumes often varies based on factors like age, weight, and individual appetite. Babies usually nurse as often, around 8 to 12 times a day or more, as per recommendation from NHMRC (National Health and Medical Research Council1 – of Australia), with an important note to not looking at the time/clock as guidance and instead observing babies’ cues.
In the first few days after birth, as babies breastfeed, they receive colostrum2, a nutrient-rich early milk with clear-yellowish colour and concentrated volume. Some babies may take in small amount, whereas some others may take in more frequently. Although the volume of colostrum is naturally not as much as mature milk, its composition and volume are exactly what a newborn baby needs. As mother’s milk transitions to mature milk, its volume and concentration changes – this typically happens around day three to seven after birth, and some baby’s intake may increase after.
Breastfeeding mothers don’t have to know the exact mililiters (mL) of how much their babies consumes directly from their breasts, and this is normal. One of the ways mothers can know that baby receives enough intake is by observing the appearance of baby’s output3 (as what comes in, must come out). When baby’s urine is clear/light yellowish and clear coloured and not smelly, and their urine is transitioning from meconium to lighter colours and soft in consistency, then mothers can be reassured that baby is receiving enough intake. In general, babies’ intake since few days after birth until baby is 12 months old is not too different, with ranges between 480 – 1220 mL4 (approximate 720mL) per 24 hours, varies in every baby.
A practical guide is by knowing that the size of baby’s tummy is equal to their palm when it’s closed. It is not too big, hence it’s natural for babies to have the needs to breastfeed frequently. It’s also helpful to understand that babies breastfeed not just for nourishment, but also for comfort and bonding – so, breastfeeding frequency and duration can vary widely. Breastmilk compositions can change depending on the environment (eg. higher water content in a hotter day or higher in fat content for mothers living in higher altitude/mountains), and this may also change baby’s breastfeeding behaviour temporarily.
It’s important for breastfeeding mothers to pay attention to their baby’s cues and breastfeed them responding to baby’s early cues. This helps ensure the baby receives enough nourishment and ensure mother’s body receiving continues stimulation to produce her breastmilk.
If needed, consulting to a healthcare provider or a lactation consultant can provide personalized guidance on breastfeeding and infant feeding practices.
Author:
Cinta Mama – Inggita Shintowati, IBCLC.
MHM. MBBS (S.Ked). MD. Cert IV. Breastfeeding Education (Counselling)
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Reference:
1. NHMRC Infant Feeding Guidelines (2012). 3. Establishing and Maintaining Breastfeeding. p.30. Infant Feeding Guidelines: information for health workers | NHMRC
2. Garofoli, F., Civardi, E., Pisoni, C., Angelini, M., & Ghirardello, S. (2023). Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Allergic Properties of Colostrum from Mothers of Full-Term and Preterm Babies: The Importance of Maternal lactation in the First Days. Nutrients, 15(19), 4249; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15194249
3. NHMRC Infant Feeding Guidelines (2012). 3. Establishing and Maintaining Breastfeeding. p.34. Infant Feeding Guidelines: information for health workers | NHMRC
4. Kent, JC. (2007). How Breastfeeding Works. Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health, 52 (6), 564-570. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmwh.2007.04.007