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Newborn Baby Feeding Guide

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

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.