Question
I have a 32-week preemie baby who is now one month old. He drinks about 60 milliliters each time, but he sleeps a lot. I want to know how many times a day should I feed him? How often should the intervals be? Should I wake him up to feed if he’s still sleeping?
Answer
Newborns typically need to be fed 8 to 10 times a day in the first 1 to 2 months after birth, with each feeding spaced approximately 3.5 to 4 hours apart. For babies being breastfed, daily urine output should be above 6 times, indicating the baby is well-fed. If the urine output is less than 5 times, it may suggest insufficient milk supply. Additionally, the baby’s stool should be yellowish and soft, occurring 2 to 4 times a day, which also indicates that the baby is well-nourished. If the baby is still sleeping, there’s no need to wake him up for feeding.