How Do I Know That My Baby Is Saturated?

20 2 minutes read

New parents are most concerned about; Is my baby feeding enough?

Parents believe that they are completely prepared, but when their baby opens his eyes to the world, they confused about when and how to do things. This problem occurs especially for the partners have a baby for the first time. New mothers and fathers worrying most about whether is my baby saturated or not?

How much do babies eat?

Newborn to the 2nd month: Babies need to be breastfed 8-12 times in a day during their first months. So you should feed your baby every 2-3 hours. This time can be more frequent (like every 1.5 hours) or up to 15 times a day for some babies. If a baby does not wake up for feeding, you should wake it up and breastfeed. This is very important for especially for first couple of weeks.

Your baby will suck 10 to 20 minutes each time. Some babies may have a little longer time. The important thing about earlier term of breastfeeding is being sure your baby sucks every moment of feeding. Getting experiences of breastfeeding mean your baby will drink milk more and easy, so breastfeeding duration will also be shorter.

If you have to feed your baby by formula milk, it is necessary to make it drink 30-60 ml by every 3-4 hours in first month.

After the first month, baby’s feeding need will increase gradually. At least 120 ml formula milk should be consumed by it. Whether you feed your baby by breastfeed or feeding bottle, its appetite will increase since it will keep continue growing.

2nd month: You can feed the baby with 120-150 ml by each 3-4 hours intervals.

4th month: Baby will need around 180 ml for per feed. Also your doctor might suggest you to make your baby familiarize with solid foods.

6th month: Feeding habit might get rarer for some babies and they can drink more than 200 ml breast-milk or formula-milk.

KEEP IN MIND:

Feeding amount will change day by day. Your should learn to trust baby’s demand to decide how much breast-milk or formula-milk it will need to feed.

After your baby drink enough to be saturated;

It removes its mouth from the breast or bottle
It falls asleep during feeding
Shakes its head or deny dringking by keeping mouth closed.

These signs help to prevent your baby from overfeeding.

To pursue physical development of the baby you should visit doctor regularly for controls (including measuring your baby’s height and weight) This is the only way provide you to manage a healtier process.

How to know when is the baby hungry?

Staring with narrow eyes
Taking its hand to mouth or face
Suction movements with his mouth
When you touch its cheek, it opens mouth and turn that side.
When you put it on your lap, it opens mouth and move its head toward your breast.

How to understand if the baby drink enough to be saturated?

How much and what frequency does it dirty its diaper?: The first few days after birth, dirtying just a couple of diapers is normal. However, in the following days, urinating 7-8 times and pooping 2-5 times a day can be expected as a proof of feeding wel enough.

How much weight is it gaining?: From the second week, babies should gain weight between 150-200 grams per week. As for, between 6th to 18th month, they should gain weight around 100-150 grams per week.