Question
How can you tell how much milk a baby drinks each day? After feeding, the baby may drink an additional 50 milliliters of formula.
Answer
Each baby’s milk requirement varies, depending on their activity level, deep sleep patterns, and individual differences. Therefore, to determine if a baby’s milk intake is sufficient or to be concerned about the baby’s health status, one should not just look at the amount of milk during each feeding. Instead, observe the baby’s growth and development and mental state. Normally, newborns will actively seek food when they are hungry, or they may become more alert, with increased body movements, expressive facial features, or even crying. During feeding, they will suckle vigorously with smooth swallowing. The interval between feedings is related to the number of diaper changes and the duration of deep sleep cycles, usually ranging from 2 to 3 hours. It is also normal for older babies to have continuous deep sleep for 4 to 6 hours at night without eating milk.