Newborn Feeding Guide

The newborn feeding guide will help you understand the approximate amount you should feed your baby, though it can vary depending on your baby’s individual needs.

AGES & STAGES

Newborn hunger cues

Moves head from side to side

Opening their mouths

Sticking out their tongues

How much should a newborn eat?

Liquid

• Breast milk

• Infant formula, iron-fortified

Liquid intake:

• 2-3 fl oz (60-90 mL) every 3-4 hours (6-8 feedings/day)

Tips

• Look for an infant formula that has about 17 mg/100 kcal of Docosahexaenoic Acid (0.32% DHA).

• This will help ensure your baby is getting a DHA amount similar to the average amount in world wide breast milk.*

Consistency

• Liquid

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DHA
Docosahexaenoic Acid
DHA is an Omega-3 fat found in your baby's brain and important for their normal brain and eye development. By your baby's 2nd birthday, most of their brain growth will have already occurred.

Tip
If using an infant formula, use a formula that has DHA. Once on solids, fatty fish is another excellent source of DHA for your baby.

Average DHA amount in breast milk:
0.32% of total fatty acids
Iron
Iron is essential for your baby's physical and mental growth, and as they grow, they need more to meet their nutritional needs. Once your baby is on solids, make sure you provide iron rich foods.

Tip
Iron from animal products, especially meat, is absorbed more easily than from other sources. Vitamin C also helps absorption of iron from plant sources.

Iron recommendation:
0-6 months: 0.27 mg/day
Calcium
Your baby needs calcium for healthy development, especially of their bones and teeth.

Tip
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends not introducing cow's milk until 12 months of age.

Calcium recommendation:
0-6 months: 200mg/day

Breast milk provides the optimal nutrition for your baby.

How to tell if your baby is getting enough to eat:

• 6-8 wet diapers a day
• Loose yellowish stool (1st month)
• Appropriate weight gain

Tips
• Lactating women should have at least 200 mg of DHA/day†. Eat foods rich in DHA, especially
fatty fish such as salmon, to support your baby’s normal brain and eye development.§
• All breastfed infants should receive a daily Vitamin D supplement of 400 IU (10 μg) until their diet provides it.

* Average amount of DHA and ARA in worldwide breast milk is 0.32% and 0.47% (mean ± standard deviation of total fatty acids) based on an analysis of 65 studies of 2,474 women).
† Koletzko B et al. J Perinat. Med. 2008;36:5-14.
§ For example, herring, mackerel, pollock, salmon and shrimp. Visit the FDA website for advice regarding eating fish.