Pregnancy follow-up week by week until birth is exciting. But the real excitement starts after birth. In parallel with the baby’s feeding, burping after feeding and adapting to the outside world, the change experienced by the mother is quite exciting. The calculation of the baby’s daily milk requirement is very important, especially in the phase immediately after birth. Of course, there are some things to know about the baby’s daily milk requirement. But first of all, it is important to remember that breastfeeding, like childbirth, is a natural process.
The daily need for breast milk has a natural flow in the same way. Because the baby wants to suck as needed. In some exceptional cases, the demand may be low despite the need. So, what do you need to know here? Questions such as how to calculate the daily breast milk requirement or how to calculate the daily milk requirement of the baby are frequently asked. In our article, we have discussed the breast milk need of babies in detail.
How is Daily Breast Milk Calculated?
Breast milk is invaluable as the baby’s only source of nutrition, especially during the first six months. Breast milk is not just food; it is essential for the baby’s socialization needs, daily developmental exercise, contact with the mother and the development of emotional awareness. It is also a natural and powerful substance that protects the baby from diseases. So, how much breast milk should a baby take daily? Let’s start with the daily milk requirement of newborn babies and explain step by step.
Newborn Baby’s Daily Milk Requirement
In the newborn period, the period when breast milk is needed the most, the amount of breast milk that the baby should suck is also very curious. The first week of a baby’s life allows us to witness an incredible growth process. The baby experiences perhaps the fastest growth both physically and mentally. Of course, the amount of breast milk that the baby will need during this first week can be high for this reason. However, the size of the baby and the fact that its stomach is still tiny should not be forgotten here. So, how much breast milk can a newborn baby need per day? To answer this question, you should first look at how old the baby is. Accordingly, the answer for the milk requirement of a 1-week-old baby can be given as follows.
Calculating Milk Requirement According to How Old the Baby is
The newborn baby is most likely to be sucking on the mother’s breast. It is therefore very difficult to determine or measure how much milk he or she is sucking. In any case, the mother should focus on the baby’s sucking, not on the quantity in question. It is enough to breastfeed the baby as long as the baby demands it, which is usually quite often. For those who are still curious, the calculated quantities are as follows.
- 1 day old baby needs breast milk: 7 ml (1 teaspoon)
- 2-day-old baby needs breast milk: 14 ml (less than 3 teaspoons)
- 3-day-old baby needs breast milk: 38 ml
- 4-day-old baby needs breast milk: 58 ml
- 7-day-old baby needs breast milk: 65 ml
Calculation of Daily Breast Milk Requirement According to Baby’s Weight
The neonatal period is critical, but it’s important that your baby gets enough
breastfeeding is very important. So, what is the ratio of breast milk needed as the baby grows? While looking at the newborn’s daily milk requirement, let’s look at the ratio of breast milk needed according to the baby’s weight.
Above, we presented a list according to the baby’s day. Now, let’s look at the amount of breast milk a baby needs according to its weight.
- daily breast milk requirement for a 2 kg baby: 313 ml
- 2.daily breast milk requirement for a 5 kg baby: 391 ml
- 3 kg baby’s daily breast milk requirement: 469 ml
- 3.daily breast milk requirement for a 5 kg baby: 548 ml
- 4 kg baby’s daily breast milk requirement: 626 ml
- 4.daily breast milk requirement for a 5 kg baby: 704 ml
- daily breast milk requirement for a 5 kg baby: 782 ml
- 5.daily breast milk requirement for a 5 kg baby: 861 ml
- daily breast milk requirement for a 6 kg baby: 939 ml
- 6.5 kg baby’s daily breast milk requirement: 1000 ml
Month by Month Baby Daily Milk Requirement Calculation
During the newborn period, it is very valuable for the baby to suck breast milk from the breast. Because breast milk is the main and only nutrient for the baby during this period. In case of breast milk deficiency, the healthcare professional can give you the necessary information. On the other hand, the baby is asked to suck breast milk from the breast if possible. This is because the baby feels safe while sucking on the mother’s breast in this early period. With this sense of security, it also meets its needs such as learning, exploring, socializing, being loved and being loved.
Grasping the breast, touching the mother’s skin with his/her hand is a great discovery process for him/her. Meanwhile, their brain nerves and basic motor skills develop. After the baby turns one month old, it is asked to be breastfed for at least 6 months and, if possible, to suck on the mother’s breast. However, during these stages, it is also possible to express milk from the mother’s breast and give it to the baby. For this purpose, tools such as manual breast pump, electric breast pump, single breast pump, double breast pump are used. Expressed milk can be given to the baby with a bottle. It can also be stored in a bottle, milk storage bottle or milk storage bag in the refrigerator. Milk storage bags also make it possible to store breast milk in the freezer. So, what is the baby’s need for breast milk month by month?
First 3 Months Baby’s Daily Milk Requirement
The daily milk requirement of the first trimester baby can be considered in three stages. During the first month, an average of 80 – 90 ml can be given with each sucking. 2-month-old baby’s daily milk requirement can be calculated as 120-180 ml at each feeding. It should be added that the daily breast milk requirement of a 5-5.5 kg baby is approximately 780-900 ml. the daily breast milk requirement of a 3-month-old baby is 1000 ml per day.
4 – 5 – 6 Month Old Babies’ Daily Breast Milk Needs
From the fourth month onwards, the number of meals decreases. He/she sucks 6 times on average. a 4-month-old baby’s daily breast milk requirement can be calculated as at least 150 ml of milk per meal. a 5-month-old baby’s daily breast milk requirement can be summarized as at least 60 ml per meal. The baby is expected to suckle at least 6 times. when we look at the 6-month-old baby’s daily breast milk requirement, we see that the frequency of sucking can be slightly reduced. It can consume 1000 – 1400 ml of milk throughout the day. At this stage, the transition to solid food should also have started.
7 – 8 – 9 – 10 Month Old Babies’ Daily Breast Milk Requirement
Since breast milk is the only and primary food for the first six months, the baby’s sucking frequency is high. The frequency may decrease with the transition to solid food. From the seventh month, daytime sucking may decrease to three. By the eighth month, about forty percent of the baby’s diet can be completed with breast milk. This percentage will gradually decrease. For example, a 10-month-old baby’s daily need for breast milk decreases to three daytime feedings.
Breast milk is essential for the first 6 months. In fact, breast milk should be the only and primary food. However, after the baby is six months old, solid foods can be introduced. After the sixth month, when you can include solid foods in your baby’s diet on the advice of your doctor, the amount of breast milk intake may decrease. It will decrease gradually. Breastfeeding is recommended until the age of 2 years. However, both the need to suck and the amount of milk intake may decrease during this period.
1 Year Old Baby’s Daily Milk Requirement
After the first year of life, the need for breast milk continues. The World Health Organization says that breast milk is the primary and only food for the first six months. However, if the baby is willing to suck and there is no obstacle to sucking, the baby can continue to suck on the mother’s breast until the average age of two. So what is a one-year-old baby’s daily breast milk requirement? It should be emphasized here that the baby is now getting many other nutrients. Therefore, it is not recommended to focus on the amount of breast milk taken. However, the baby can be allowed to suckle at certain intervals.
Milking is Important!
Breast milk is very precious. When you cannot be with your baby ,you can express breast milk with a breast pump and store it for feeding. You can also use a breast milk storage bottle or breast milk storage bag for this purpose, i.e. to store breast milk in the right conditions .