Buzz
Sometimes, many babies resist breastfeeding and switch to bottle feeding, so mothers have to use a breast pump to express milk for the baby. However, many mothers are unsure about how much milk the baby needs.
The baby's milk quantity usually increases rapidly in the first weeks after birth and gradually stabilizes from month 1 to 6. Experts also emphasize that the stable feeding amount is not dependent on the baby's age or weight. After 6 months, the baby's milk requirement will decrease as it depends on the amount of complementary solid food the baby consumes.
Capacity of the baby's stomach from 0 – 1 month:
| Order | Age of the baby | Stomach capacity |
| 1 | 1 day old | 5 – 7 ml |
| 2 | 3 days old | 22 – 27ml |
| 3 | 1 week old | 45 – 60 ml |
| 4 | 1 month old | 80 – 150 ml |
Milk quantity for the baby in the 1 – 6 months stage:
Studies show that on average, bottle-fed babies consume 750ml/day (varies for different babies, typically ranging from 570 – 900ml). Mothers should also note that the milk quantity varies with each feeding, similar to adults having meals of varying sizes.
Milk intake when baby starts eating solid food:
After 6 months, solid food intake increases gradually, and the baby's milk consumption begins to decrease. Due to the unpredictable nature of solid food intake, the baby's milk requirement fluctuates accordingly.
A study reveals that, on average, a 7-month-old baby requires 875ml (93% of the baby's food intake), which gradually reduces to 550ml/day (50% of the baby's food intake) by 11 – 16 months.
If the baby nurses excessively compared to the average milk quantity:
If a mother observes that the baby is nursing excessively compared to the average milk quantity, she should pay attention to the following scenarios:
Fast Flowing Bottles: Moms, remember to use a nipple size appropriate for your baby's age.
Babies often have a high sucking desire, and sometimes they want to suck even when not hungry. Moms can feed the baby an average amount of milk. If the baby seems hungry, moms can comfort the baby before offering an additional 30 – 40ml.
Synthesis Table of Studies on the Amount of Milk Babies Need by Age:
| Order | Age | ml |
| 1 | 5 days | 483 ml |
| 2 | 1 month | 706 ml |
| 3 | 1 month | 673 ml |
| 4 | 1 month | 687 ml |
| 5 | 1-6 months | 440 ml x2 = 880 ml |
| 6 | 3 months | 793 ml |
| 7 | 3-5 months | 730 ml |
| 8 | 6 months | 896 ml |
| 9 | 6 months | 720 ml |
| 10 | 7 months | 875 ml (93% of total intake) |
| 11 | 11-16 months | 550 ml (50% of total intake) |
| 12 | 11-16 months | 487 ml (32% of total intake) |
| 13 | 12-17 months | 546 ml |
| 14 | 12-23 months | 532 ml |
| 15 | 15 months | 202 ml x2 = 404 ml |
| 16 | 18-23 months | 486 ml |
| 17 | >24 months | 357 ml |
| 18 | 24-36 months | 303 ml |
