Articles and Advice: Your Baby 0-6 Months
How Much Should I Feed My Baby?
The amount of milk consumed varies widely from one baby to the next and from one day to another. At first your baby will drink a small amount because his stomach is still very small. The amount will increase gradually.
Your child may be less hungry in the evening than the morning. The best thing is to watch for signs of hunger and satisfaction and let him control his own intake of milk. Pay attention to your child’s appetite!
Babies also cry for other reasons than hunger. Babies who drink quickly at the nipple may briefly need a pacifier because their hunger is satisfied before their need to suck. Boredom, discomfort and the need for warmth and security can also make a baby cry. Respond quickly to his needs.
Until your baby is about 6 months, milk supplies his needs better than cereals. It’s the only food with the calcium and protein which are absolutely essential during the first year of life. At some points, during growth spurts for example, your child will need to drink huge amounts. Be sure he’s ready before introducing complementary foods.
Generally, in a 24-hour period, your baby will drink the amounts indicated below:
| Age | Number of bottles Per day | Amount per bottle* | Total per day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-2 months | 6 to10 | 60-120 mL (2 to 4 oz.) |
700-800 ml (23-27 oz.) |
| 3-5 months | 6 to 7 | 150-180 mL (5 to 6 oz.) |
Up to 1050 ml (/p.aspx/35 oz.) |
| 6-8 months | 5 to 6 | 180 to 240 mL (6 to 8 oz.) |
Varies depending on the amount of solid food that baby eats |
| 9-12 months | 3 to 4 | 180 to 240 mL (6 to 8 oz.) |
Varies depending on the amount of solid food that baby eats |
* These quantities can vary from one baby to the next
How do I know if my baby drank enough milk?
There are several ways to tell whether your baby is getting enough milk:
- After the first week of your baby’s life, his urine is clear and odourless. He thoroughly wets 6 or 7 diapers a day. His stools are liquid or very soft and frequent: 2 to 5 a day for the first 4 weeks. After that they are less frequent (ex.: 1 stool every 3 to 7 days) but very plentiful;
- He is gaining enough weight and gaining weight regularly;
- He wakes up on his own to nurse;
- He nurses well and often, 8 to 12 times in 24 hours.
References:
Doré, Nicole; Le Hénaff, Danielle. From Tiny Tot to Toddler, Practical Guide for Parents from Pregnancy to Age Two. Québec, Institut national de santé publique du Québec, 2008. Pages 330, 368.
Manual of Clinical Dietetics, 6th edition, American Dietetic Association and Dietitians of Canada, 2000.