The First Year of Life
Your baby’s nutritional needs change rapidly during the first year of life. In the early days, they will need to feed very frequently, but as they grow, they will gradually need less milk.
Breast milk
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that babies be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life. Breast milk is the ideal food for babies, as it is easily digestible and contains all the nutrients they need.
If you are unable to breastfeed, you can give your baby formula. Formula is a good alternative to breast milk, but it is important to follow the instructions on the package carefully.
How much milk should a baby drink?
The amount of milk a baby needs will vary depending on their age, weight, and activity level. However, as a general rule of thumb, babies should drink about 2-3 ounces of milk per pound of body weight per day.
So, for example, a 10-pound baby should drink about 20-30 ounces of milk per day.
After the First Year
After the first year of life, your child will gradually start to drink less milk. By the age of two, most children are drinking about 16-24 ounces of milk per day.
It is important to continue to offer your child milk after the first year, as it is a good source of calcium and other essential nutrients. You can offer your child milk in a cup or a sippy cup.
Whole Milk vs. Low-Fat Milk
After the age of one, you can start to give your child whole milk. Whole milk is a good source of fat, which is important for your child’s development.
However, if your child is overweight or at risk for obesity, you may want to consider giving them low-fat milk. Low-fat milk is still a good source of calcium and other essential nutrients, but it contains less fat.
How to Tell If Your Baby Is Getting Enough Milk
There are a few signs that your baby is getting enough milk:
- They are gaining weight steadily.
- They are having regular bowel movements.
- They are not excessively fussy.
- They are sleeping well.
If you are concerned that your baby is not getting enough milk, talk to your doctor.
Conclusion
The amount of milk a baby needs will vary depending on their age, weight, and activity level. However, as a general rule of thumb, babies should drink about 2-3 ounces of milk per pound of body weight per day.
After the first year of life, your child will gradually start to drink less milk. By the age of two, most children are drinking about 16-24 ounces of milk per day.
It is important to continue to offer your child milk after the first year, as it is a good source of calcium and other essential nutrients. You can offer your child milk in a cup or a sippy cup.
If you are concerned that your baby is not getting enough milk, talk to your doctor.
Additional Tips
Here are some additional tips for feeding your baby milk:
- Feed your baby on demand, not on a schedule.
- Offer your baby breast milk or formula at every feeding.
- Do not give your baby water before the age of six months.
- Once your baby is eating solid foods, offer them milk with meals and snacks.
- Make sure your baby has a clean bottle or sippy cup at all times.
- Store breast milk in the refrigerator for up to five days or in the freezer for up to six months.
- Store formula in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours or in the freezer for up to two weeks.
Tables
| Age | Amount of milk per day |
|---|---|
| 0-6 months | 2-3 ounces per pound of body weight |
| 6-12 months | 20-30 ounces |
| 1-2 years | 16-24 ounces |
| 2-5 years | 12-16 ounces |
