How can I know my newborn is eating enough?

Question

My baby is only 3 days old. I'm bottle feeding her formula only. Bottle feeding from day one and will most likely continue to only bottle feed her. I don't feel like she drinks very much at all. I've been jotting down the amounts she drinks in a full day and yesterday she only drink a little more than 5 ounces of formula. I'm feeding her Similac Advaced formula. How many ounces of formula should newborns drink in a day?

Answer 1

It will vary how much your baby will eat. Keep in mind a newborn's stomach is only the size of a walnut, roughly that size anyway. They don't eat much to begin with, mostly sleep, but as they get older, day by day, they will eat more and more.

Answer 2

Your formula-fed infant will take from 2-3 oz of formula per feeding and will eat every 3-4 hours during her first few weeks. Also depends of her weight. On average, your baby should take about 2,5 oz of formula a day for every pound of body weight. But she probably will regulate her intake from day to meet her own specific needs.
My girl was almost 9 pounds ...so she ate from 3-4 oz per feeding.....Now she is 1 month old and eats pretty much the same 3-4oz every 3-4 hours.....total 22-24 oz a day

Answer 3

I have a 6wk old and this is the chart that my doctor gave to me when I asked how to tell if my baby was eating enough.

under 1mth - 6+ feedings - varies or 10-14ozs in 24hrs
1mth - 5-8 feedings - 2-4oz per feeding or 18-22ozs in 24hrs
2mths - 5-8 feedings - 3-4oz per feeding or 20-28ozs in 24hrs
3mths - 5-6 feedings - 4-6oz per feeding or 25-35oz in 24hrs
4mths - 5-6 feedings - 5-7oz per feeding or 30-35oz in 24hrs

Simple rule of thumb to follow in telling if your baby is eating enough is by the amount she is putting out. She should have 6-8 WET diapers per day and at least 1 poopy diaper at least every 2days.

Dont worry about her overeating ... if she is hungry feed her. If she spits when you burp her then she is full. Hope this helps you.

CONGRATS on the baby .... ;-)

Answer 4

No idea how much formula is normal at that age as I've never used it. Just wanted to chime in and remind you that her tummy is only the size of her tiny fist. It doesn't hold a lot right now. So small amounts makes sense in these early days. Hopefully some FF moms will be able to tell you their experience.

Answer 5

every baby is different. as long as she is having at least 5-6 wet diapers a day she is nursing fine. with my little one they told me to feed her two ounces every three hours. well sometimes she would take the full two ounces but most of the time she would only take one ounce.

Answer 6

I'm not sure about the fomular requirements...I breastfed. However, as stated before, check for wet and poopy diapers. Every baby is different. Also, take her in for a weight check at your doctor's office. My pediatrician said we could bring our baby in any time to check that she was gaining weight, no appointment necessary. You will feel better knowing that she's getting enough to eat by making sure she is gaining weight. I know how frightening it is those first few days....I was neurotically feeding my baby, fearing she wasn't getting enough to eat. Congratulations!!!!

Answer 7

I would say a baby that old would normally take down about 2-3 oz every 2-3 hours.The problem is that babies that old want to sleep all day.
You need to wake baby up every 2-3 hours to feed her. You can rub her feet, move her around a little, etc. Feed her, burp, then she poos, and then you change her diaper.

She may stay up for another hour, and then go to sleep again.

Answer 8

each baby is different and will eat a different amount. the way to tell is pay attention to the amount of wet diapers, not necessarily poopy diapers, but wet ones. if your baby is having at least 5-6 a day, she is eating enough. if she is not having wet diapers you should take her to the doctor.