Question
Does it pose a problem if a child drinks formula every 4 hours?
Answer
Newborns have a small stomach capacity, and the amount of milk they suckle in each feeding can vary. Therefore, the time between hunger sensations for the child can differ. This is a natural physiological phenomenon. We generally recommend adopting an on-demand feeding approach, which means feeding the child when they cry, show signs of wanting to breastfeed, or when the mother feels milk engorgement. At birth, the neonatal stomach capacity is about 30 milliliters, with each actual feeding around 20 milliliters. Since the amount of milk is small and stays in the stomach for a short time, the child can easily feel hungry again. Therefore, it may be normal for the child to go a long time without eating milk, but it’s important to ensure that the child consumes enough milk to meet their growth needs.