Know Your Newborn's Milk Needs

Breast milk is a miracle food that is most needed by newborns until they are six months old. Some doctors even recommend exclusive breastfeeding until the baby is two years old. Before getting complementary foods (MPASI), babies only need breast milk intake from the mother. For this reason, meeting the need for breast milk for newborns is very important.  However, new moms may wonder, how much breast milk does a newborn need? Let's find out the need of breast milk for newborns so that the baby's growth and development are maximized.

The amount of breast milk consumed by newborns each time they suckle is different. MAKUKU will explain the breast milk needs of babies according to their age stages as follows:

Breast Milk Needs of Babies According to Age Stages

According to research from the American Academy of Pediatrics, newborns will suckle more. Newborns are estimated to need 8-12 breast milk feedings a day. The average amount of breast milk that must be met in babies aged 0-6 months is as much as 750 ml in a day. To find out the actual breast milk requirement, it can be calculated based on their body weight.

Newborn Breast Milk Requirements up to 1 Month of Age

rn
• Frequency of breastfeeding: 8-12 times per day
rn
• Amount of breast milk given: 1-3 ounces per feeding
rn
• Duration of breastfeeding: 10-15 minutes per feeding
rn

Breast milk needs of 1-month to 2-month-old babies

rn
•  Frequency of breastfeeding: 7-9 times per day
rn
• Amount of breast milk given: 2-4 ounces per feeding
rn
• Duration of breastfeeding: 15-20 minutes per feeding
rn

Breast milk requirement for infants aged 2 months to 4 months

rn
• Frequency of breastfeeding: 6-8 times per day
rn
• Amount of breast milk given: 3-5 ounces per feeding
rn
• Duration of breastfeeding: 15-20 minutes per feeding
rn

Breast milk needs of babies aged 4 months to 6 months

rn
• Frequency of breastfeeding: 5-6 times per day
rn
• Amount of breast milk given: 4-6 ounces per feeding
rn
• Duration of breastfeeding: 15-20 minutes per feeding
rn

Breast milk requirements for infants aged 6 months to 12 months

rn
•  Frequency of breastfeeding: 4-5 times per day
rn
• Amount of breast milk given: 6-8 ounces per feeding
rn
• Duration of breastfeeding: 15-20 minutes per feeding
rn

While the need for breast milk for babies aged 12 months to 24 months will decrease around 4 times a day. However, if your little one wants to breastfeed more, it is not a problem. Entering the age of two years, babies should be taught to stop breastfeeding and at this age, babies can be given formula milk as an addition.

Easy-to-Recognize Signs Your Newborn Has Enough Breastmilk

Newborns cannot yet tell when they are hungry or full. The way babies communicate is usually by crying. It is not uncommon for babies who have finished breastfeeding but are still fussy. Then, is that a sign that your little one lacks breast milk? The answer is, not necessary. It could be that your little one is crying because of other factors. So, it is really mandatory for parents to know the signs of a newborn who is full and has enough breast milk. Signs that are easy to recognize when a baby is full of breast milk include:

Weight gain regularly

Babies who are adequately breastfed will continue to gain weight regularly during their first few months of life.

Adequate urine production

Babies who are adequately breastfed will usually produce a lot of urine that is clear in color.

Constipation is rare

Infants who are adequately breastfed are less likely to experience constipation or difficulty in defecating.

The baby looks satisfied and calm after feeding

Infants who are adequately breastfed will appear content and calm after feeding. They may also fall asleep after feeding comfortably.

Baby's health

Babies who are adequately breastfed tend to be healthier and resistant to infections and diseases.

Benefits of Breast Milk for Babies

Breast milk contains many nutrients that can help babies grow and develop better according to their age. This content in breast milk cannot be replicated and found in any milk drink. This is what makes breast milk very "magical" to meet the needs of your little one before getting additional solid food. Here are the benefits of breast milk for newborns that are a pity to miss:

1. Fulfills Baby's Nutritional Needs

Breast milk contains all the nutrients a baby needs to grow and develop healthily, including proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Providing breast milk according to their needs means meeting the nutritional needs needed to support the growth and development of the baby.

2. Protects baby from infection

Breast milk contains antibodies that help protect babies from infections and diseases, including diarrhea, pneumonia, ear infections, and urinary tract infections.

3. Promotes emotional bonding between mom and baby

Breastfeeding can help improve the emotional bond between mother and baby. In fact, according to IDAI, breastfeeding can be one of the ways to increase bonding so it is expected that the child will become a resilient person who is able to be independent.

4. Breast Milk is Easier to Digest

In fact, breast milk is easier to digest than formula or other cow's milk. This is because breast milk contains the right amount of protein that is easily digested.

5. Prevents Baby Stunting

Exclusive breastfeeding given for the first six months of a baby's life can prevent stunting or growth failure in children under five. Breast milk is able to prevent stunting in infants because it contains vitamin growth hormones and anti-infective substances.

Well, these are some of the benefits of moms and dads meeting the needs of breast milk in newborns... Therefore, it is recommended to give exclusive breastfeeding to babies during the first 6 months of life and continue to provide breast milk as long as possible, at least until the age of 2 years.

During the breastfeeding process, moms and dads should also pay attention to the comfort of the little one. For example, by providing comfortable and anti-clump diapers such as MAKUKU SAP Diapers Slim Care. In addition, MAKUKU diapers are also effective in reducing the risk of diaper rash. Takut Ruam Popok Pakai MAKUKU! (Aq/MKK)