How Much Should I Feed My Baby?

Even with so many websites and books dedicated to baby care, almost every new parent asks, How much should I feed my baby?  To new parents it may seem like breastfed babies are "constantly nursing" in the first month or two. And for parents of formula fed babies, baby bottles are so much bigger in size compared to an infant's tiny stomach that it might seem like baby should be drinking more based on wha the bottle can hold. 

In both situations, it's helpful to remember that a baby's stomach is tiny!  So yes, baby is most likely nursing quite a lot because s/he can only take in a small amount during each feeding.  And formula fed babies won't need near what even a tiny bottle can hold for at least a few weeks. 

Please see the chart above for a helpful visual on how big a newborn's stomach really is to  understand how much feeding is normal. 

Remember, it's also completely natural for newborns and infants to fall asleep while feeding.   Newborns are notoriously sleepy in the early days, so unless your pediatrician has directed baby be woken to feed there's no need to fight this natural cycle.

There's also no need to worry about creating a bad habit of falling asleep at the breast or bottle.  It's normal after so many months in the womb! For parents who are concerned that this will set the baby up with “bad habits,” Heidi Streufert, RN explains that, the only 'rule' is that nursing should not serve as the only tool for putting baby to sleep.  Just as the pacifier, bouncer or sleeping in the car should not be the only ways baby knows to go to sleep.

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