Infant Feeding Chart

Because there is a trend of breastfeeding now, we are seeing many moms "try" breastfeeding that would have not even given it a thought 5 years ago.

This is awesome for the babies but unfortunately there is a lot of mixed information out there making success difficult for these new mommies.Often, they are given formula feeding advice even by their doctors!

A breastfed baby is NOT going to feed like a formula fed baby. NOT in any way. The length of the feeds are different, the amounts they consume are different and the frequency of feeds is FAR different.

The first item of business is who do you go to for breastfeeding help?
You find a breastfeeding EXPERT. That could be a very experienced mother, a la leche league leader or a lactation consultant. Most doctors are not breastfeeding experts. Here is the test, if your doctor recommends formula feeding, knowing full well you are breastfeeding, he/she is not truly breastfeeding supportive. Even if he/she cannot fix the breastfeeding they should refer you to an expert for help not immediately resort to formula.

Now, back to schedules. Here is a book that provides a breastfeeding log:

A newborn who is breast feeding will eat a MINIMUM of 8-12 times a day. Anywhere from every hour to every 3 hours is normal. Yes, it can be normal for a newborn to eat 20 times a day.There are many variables. Really to many to list, but the overall idea is that babies must be fed a minimum of 8-12 times a day, even if that means waking them to feed. Also newborns after day 3 should be having a minimum of 6 wet and/or dirty diapers per 24 hours. Since we cannot measure what is going in, we measure what is going out.

Why do breastfed babies eat so often? Several reasons: breastmilk is pre-digested so it travels through the gut very fast. Secondly, colostrum is not high in volume, so more frequent feeds are necessary. And lastly, it is more natural. It is simply how mammals feed.

Did you know that an average babies tummy is about the size of a large gumball at birth? It is designed to hold about 10-15ml of fluid (about 1/2 a teaspoon) and will naturally stretch to hold about an ounce within a few days.

Giving babies a large volume of formula in the early days, often sabotages breastfeeding. Moms milk (transitional milk)usually does not come in until day 3-5 (she has colostrum prior to that and it is not high in volume) and if the baby gets a full tummy from formula, they are often not content at the breast until the milk comes in which many moms have already given up by then.

Remember it is NORMAL for a newborn to feed every 1-3 hours, all day long. 8 feeds, 10 feeds, 16 feeds, even 20-24 feeds, all normal with 6+ diaper changes in that 24 hours as well. And also remember, if in doubt, find breastfeeding support from an EXPERT!

So, can you see now how we cannot compare a breast fed baby to a formula fed one? Formula babies feed about every 3 hours on a schedule usually, because the formula takes to long to digest.

I hope this article infant feeding chart helped clarify some of the misinformation on newborn feeds for you. If not you can use the ask me a question feature now. use the ask me a question feature now.

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