- Until 1 year, breast milk or infant formula remains the staple of your baby's diet, even after they have started eating a variety of foods.
- When breastfeeding, there is no need to measure the amounts: feeding on demand allows your baby to drink as much as they need.
- When bottle-feeding, the amounts of milk change with your baby's age and needs and are provided as a guide only.
- It is important to respect your baby's appetite without forcing them to finish their bottle and to seek advice from a healthcare professional if in doubt.
From birth to 1 year, breast milk or infant formula is the staple food for babies. And it plays a very important role until 3 years. The World Health Organization also recommends that infants be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life. We know how many questions about feeding arise for new parents: how much milk should I give my baby? What should I do if I am breastfeeding? How can I tell if my baby is drinking enough? It is normal to feel a little lost! At Biostime , we are passionate about this subject, so we are more than happy to share our knowledge with you. That is the #NouvelleGénérationBio.
Important notice: Breast milk is the ideal and natural food for infants
Breastfeeding: how to manage milk supply?
If you are breastfeeding your baby, you will not be able to measure exactly how much milk they will drink. But don't worry, nature is well designed! From birth, feed on demand, whenever your baby asks for it and without limiting the number of feeds. This way you will provide them with everything they need. Every baby is different, but generally a newborn takes small amounts but very often because their stomach is small. Then, as they grow, the feeds will naturally become more spaced out because your baby will have found their rhythm and they will be able to drink larger quantities.
Trust them and trust yourself. If your baby has not drunk enough, they will let you know!
The little tip: it can be useful to monitor your baby's growth curve with the pediatrician, to ensure that their weight gain is correct.
How much milk should I give a bottle-fed baby?
If you have chosen to bottle-feed your baby, the amount of baby formula to give will vary depending on their age but also on their needs. Indeed, every baby is unique and the quantities, given as a guide, are not an exact science. As with adults, there are small and big eaters. It is therefore pointless to force your baby to finish their bottle if they are no longer hungry, they will know how to regulate themselves!
How much milk for the first few days and weeks?
During the first week, the amount of milk increases each day and the number of bottles is quite substantial, between 6 and 8 per 24 hours. This means, for example:
- Day 1: 6 to 8 bottles of 10 to 30 ml
This will then gradually increase to an average of 6 bottles of 100 ml.
After 15 days, and until the end of the first month, the amount of milk is around 600 ml. Allow for 6 bottles of 90 ml to 120 ml.
Please note: the information provided is for guidance only. The volume and number of bottles will be determined by a healthcare professional, in order to take into account the differences and needs of each baby.
How much milk for the first few months?
During the first few months, the amount of milk you give your baby will gradually increase to meet their nutritional needs. The number of bottles will decrease.
To help you, there is the Appert rule: daily amount to offer = (baby's weight in grams/10) + 250 ml.
- From 1 to 2 months: 6 bottles of 120 ml per day
- From 2 to 3 months: 5 bottles of 150 ml per day
- From 3 to 4 months: 5 bottles of 180 ml per day
- From 4 to 5 months: 4 bottles of 210 ml per day
- From 5 to 6 months: 4 bottles of 240 ml per day
From 6 months on, even if solid food introduction is well underway, milk remains the staple food. Your child should drink an average of 700 ml per day, which represents 3 bottles of 240 ml. For bottle-fed babies, this is actually the time to switch to a stage 2 infant formula like the one from Biostime, which meets the specific nutritional needs of your baby.
Listen to your child: if they finish their milk quickly at every meal and are still asking for more, it is probably time to increase the amount. In any case, talk to your pediatrician before making any changes.
