amount of breastmilk to feed baby
After about four to five weeks, babies reach their peak feeding volume of about 3 to 4 ounces (90 to 120 mL) and peak daily milk intake of about 30 ounces per day (900 mL). Until your baby starts eating solid foods (recommended at around six months), her feeding volume and daily milk intake will not vary by much. On average, after an exclusively breastfeeding mother has practiced with her pump and it’s working well for her, she can expect to pump: 1  About half a feeding if she is pumping between regular feedings (after about one month, this would be about 1.5 to 2 ounces or 45-60 mL) A full feeding if she is pumping for a missed feeding (after one month, this would be about 3 to 4 ounces or 90-120 mL) Time of day. Most women pump more milk in the morning than later in the day. References. 1  Evaluation, treatment, and prevention of vitamin D deficiency: An Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. 2  Schanler RJ, et al. 3  Your guide to breastfeeding. Breast milk is the ideal food for babies — with rare exceptions. If breast-feeding isn't possible, use infant formula. Healthy newborns don't need water, juice or other fluids. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic. 1  The Last Diet You'll Ever Need. 2  4 Simple Steps to a Joy-Filled Life. 3  Pain Management Strategies from Mayo Clinic. 4  Stop Osteoporosis in its Tracks. 5  Protect and Preserve Your Vision. References. 1  Evaluation, treatment, and prevention of vitamin D deficiency: An Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2011;96:1911. 2  Schanler RJ, et al. Initiation of breastfeeding. http://www.uptodate.com/home. 3  Your guide to breastfeeding. Your baby’s age. How much milk a baby consumes per feeding varies by age and—until one month or so—by weight. Because newborns’ stomachs are so small, during the first week most full-term babies take no more than 1 to 2 ounces (30 to 60 mL) at feedings. If you’re giving formula and your baby is between one and six months old, you can calculate how much milk you should expect to pump at a session by determining what percentage of your baby’s total daily intake is at the breast. To do this, subtract from 30 ounces (900 mL) the amount of formula your baby receives each day. For example, if you’re giving 15 ounces (450 mL) of formula each day, this is half of 30 ounces (900 mL), so you should expect to pump about half of what an exclusively breastfeeding mother would pump. Feed your newborn on demand. Most newborns need eight to 12 feedings a day — about one feeding every two to three hours. Look for early signs of hunger, such as stirring and stretching, sucking motions and lip movements. Fussing and crying are later cues. The sooner you begin each feeding, the less likely you'll need to soothe a frantic baby. After you’ve had some practice using your pump and it’s working well, the following factors can affect your milk yield: 1  Your baby’s age. 2  Whether or not you’re exclusively breastfeeding. 3  Time elapsed since your last breastfeeding or pumping. 4  Time of day. 5  Your emotional state. 6  Your breast storage capacity. 7  Your pump quality and fit.
Most newborns need eight to 12 feedings a day, about one feeding every two to three hours.