Feeding

Most babies eat 8 to 12 times a day during the first week and about 6 to 10 times in the second and third weeks after delivery. Some may continue to feed every two to three hours for several weeks.

Many babies eat more often at certain times of the day, then take a longer nap.

How much is enough?

If you're formula feeding, your full-term baby should take about two to three ounces of formula at each feeding, gradually increasing to four to five ounces by the end of the first month. Another way to look at this is that your baby should take about two to three ounces of formula per day for every pound of weight.

If you're breastfeeding, you can't see exactly how much milk your baby is taking. But certain signs can tell you whether your baby is getting enough breast milk...

How can I know if my baby is eating enough?

Your baby is probably getting enough to eat if he or she...

is gaining about 30 grams (one ounce) per day
seems satisfied
sleeps two to four hours after each feeding
has six to eight wet diapers per day

Our chart for first feedings and diapers (requires Adobe Reader) can help you determine whether you're baby is eating enough.

What about juices and water?

At this stage, babies do not need and should not receive additional water or fruit juices. Rapidly growing infants have caloric and protein requirements that are not met by juices.

Babies who receive juice may take less formula or breast milk, reducing their protein intake. Their sole food should be breast milk or formula.

Your baby's doctor might recommend additional water, prune juice or pear nectar if constipation is a problem.

Medications and breastfeeding

Most medicines commonly taken by mothers in the postpartum period, such as pain relievers and antibiotics, do transfer from the mother's circulation to the breast milk. But they do so in such small concentrations that they do not affect the baby.

Always check with your physician to make sure that any medications you receive are safe for the breastfeeding baby as well.