Babies are a bundle of joy that demands care and attention throughout the day. Feeding them properly is one of the most crucial tasks for parents. As first-time parents, it can be confusing to know how much food a baby should consume in a day.
Fret not! We've got you covered with all the information you need to know about your baby's daily caloric needs.
What is calorie intake for infants?
Let's start at the beginning - what exactly is calorie intake? Calories are units used to measure energy content in food items. For babies, calorie intake refers to how much energy their body gets from breastfeeding or formula feeding.
Calorie requirements vary based on age, sex, weight and physical activity levels but for infants between 0-6 months old an average caloric requirement ranges is around 110 kcal/kg/d while they weigh less than 8 kilograms (2).
Once your infant crosses six months milestones and moves onto solid foods his/her daily caloric needs increase as well.
Get ready to ditch those sleepless nights with crying spells when we explain everything you NEED TO KNOW about calories consumption based on changed diet patterns.
Major Stages
There are three key stages where infant dietary requirements change drastically:
-
Newborns up until four weeks of life;
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Infants between four weeks and six months;
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Babies who have crossed six month mark
Stage One (Newborn)
From birth till around 4 weeks+
During this period, newborns get all their nourishment from breast milk or formula milk, so we must ensure adequate supply through feeding sessions which may range from eight times per day during neonatal periods ++
Stage Two (Four Weeks – Six Months)
At this stage in life infants move towards more frequent meals than before as they require more nutrition due to growth rate. Infants need to consume up to 32 ounces (oz) in total from breast milk or formula every day. This corresponds roughly to the volume of a soda bottle.
A bit about formulas
Parents who cannot feed their children through nursing exclusively can opt for feeding them formula milk which is widely available on the market today+++. Most infant formulas are designed to provide an average of around 20 kilocalories per once of fluid-like breastfeeding (with some slight variance).
Stage Three (After Six Months)
As babies grow older and start moving away from exclusive breastfeeding or formula towards more solid foods, their dietary needs change again, this time increasing as they navigate various new tastes and textures.
How Much Should Your Baby Eat
Now onto what you’ve all been waiting for: how much should your baby be eating each day? The answer depends on your baby’s age, activity level, weight and other factors that may impact dietary requirements.
Here's a handy chart to help you understand the amount:
| Age | Breastmilk Volume Per Day In Ounces | Formula Milk Amount per Day In Ounces |
|---|---|---|
| Newborn -1 month old | 19-30 oz daily ~ Every Three – Four Hours supply + Take account into night | |
| 1 month old –6 months old | 24-35 oz daily ~ Up To Eight Times Overnight frequently | |
| -- | -- | -- |
Note: Do not force-feed your child. Letting them follow their hunger cues will make sure they're getting enough food without overstuffing themselves.
There is no "one size fits all" when it comes to nutrition intake because every baby is unique. Parents often struggle with monitoring calories intake but by observing their overall development can't do wonders!
If parents pay attention carefully to essential signals such as growth graphs+, bowel movement patterns++, general attitude & behavior+++ , then you’ll know if you need to adjust your infant's daily calories intake accordingly.
Symptoms of Overfeeding
We often feel that overfeeding babies is not harmful, as it can keep them happier for a longer duration. However, there are many symptoms of overfeeding babies that parents should lookout for:
- Increased spitting up and vomiting
- Diarrhea and constipation
- Colic (when an infant cries excessively)
Symptoms tend to arise when infants are being fed too frequently without regard for hunger cues or if they receive more milk during feeding than their stomachs can comfortably hold.
Bottom Line
Determining how much food a baby needs depends on different factors like age, weight, physical activity level among other things. As long as you're paying attention carefully to essential signals such as growth graphs+, bowel movement patterns++, general attitude & behavior+++ , then you’ll know if dietary adjustments may be required!
Parents-keep calm and carry on with observance!