When it comes to nourishing a newborn, ensuring they get the right amount of formula is crucial for their growth and development. Aptamil is a popular formula brand designed to closely mimic the nutrients found in breast milk. However, for new parents, understanding how much Aptamil to feed a newborn can be confusing. In this article, we’ll provide a detailed guide on how much Aptamil a newborn should drink, offering clear, easy-to-understand advice.
Understanding Newborn Nutritional Needs
Newborns have tiny stomachs that gradually expand as they grow, which means their feeding needs will change frequently during the first weeks and months of life. Most newborns will start with very small amounts of milk and gradually increase their intake as they grow and their digestive systems develop.
In general, newborns will require feedings every 2 to 3 hours around the clock in the first few weeks. The exact quantity of formula they need varies based on factors like birth weight, appetite, and growth rate.
How to Measure Formula Feeding for a Newborn
Most formula brands, including Aptamil, provide guidelines on the packaging for the recommended number of scoops and the corresponding amount of water. These are based on the baby’s age and weight. However, it’s essential to follow your baby’s cues and adjust as necessary.
How much Aptamil should I give in the first few days?
In the first few days after birth, newborns need very small amounts of formula. Initially, a newborn’s stomach can only hold about 5-7 ml (0.17-0.24 oz) of milk at a time, which is equivalent to about a teaspoon.
Day 1-2: Newborns usually need about 7-15 ml (0.25-0.5 oz) of Aptamil per feeding. Expect your baby to have around 8 to 12 feedings within 24 hours, or every 2-3 hours. These small amounts are sufficient to meet your newborn’s tiny stomach capacity and nutritional needs.
Day 3-4: By the end of the first week, their stomach will have expanded, and they may start taking in 30-60 ml (1-2 oz) of Aptamil per feeding.
How much Aptamil at 1 to 2 weeks?
Once your newborn reaches 1 week of age, their feeding amounts will increase. A rough guide is that your baby will need about 150-200 ml (5-7 oz) of formula per kilogram of body weight per day.
For example:
A baby weighing 3 kg (6.6 lbs) would need around 450-600 ml (15-20 oz) of Aptamil per day.
This typically translates to about 60-90 ml (2-3 oz) per feeding, every 3-4 hours.
How to Tell if Your Newborn is Eating Enough
Recognizing Hunger and Fullness Cues
Newborns are born with natural reflexes to signal when they are hungry and when they are full. It’s important to pay attention to these signals rather than focusing too rigidly on measurements.
Hunger cues:
Sucking on hands or fingers.
Turning head toward a breast or bottle (rooting reflex).
Opening and closing their mouth.
Crying (this is a late hunger cue).
Fullness cues:
Slowing down or stopping sucking.
Turning away from the bottle.
Falling asleep or becoming fussy.
It’s essential to follow your baby’s cues rather than forcing them to finish a bottle. Some feedings might be shorter or longer, depending on their hunger.
Weight Gain as a Key Indicator
Regular check-ups with your pediatrician will help ensure your newborn is gaining weight appropriately. If your baby is gaining weight steadily, has plenty of wet diapers (about 6-8 per day), and is generally content after feedings, they are likely getting enough Aptamil.
Guidelines for Formula Feeding Amounts by Age
From 2 weeks to 2 months
As your baby grows, their daily intake of formula will gradually increase. By the time they are 2 weeks old, most newborns will need between 90-120 ml (3-4 oz) of Aptamil per feeding, about 6-8 times per day.
By the end of the first month, a baby’s stomach will have expanded enough to handle about 120 ml (4 oz) per feeding. At this stage, you should aim for around 600-700 ml (20-24 oz) of formula per day.
From 2 to 4 months
During the second and third months, the baby’s appetite will continue to increase. At this stage, most babies will consume 120-180 ml (4-6 oz) of Aptamil per feeding, for a total daily intake of about 700-900 ml (24-32 oz).
Feedings should occur roughly every 4 hours during the day, and some babies may begin to sleep for longer stretches at night, reducing the need for night-time feeds.
How to Prepare Aptamil for Your Newborn
Follow Proper Hygiene and Preparation Guidelines
Ensuring that the formula is prepared correctly is just as important as the quantity you’re feeding. Poor preparation or contaminated bottles can lead to bacterial infections or nutritional deficiencies.
Wash your hands thoroughly before preparing the formula.
Sterilize bottles, nipples, and any utensils you’ll be using.
Always use freshly boiled, cooled water to mix with Aptamil powder.
Follow the instructions on the packaging for the correct scoop-to-water ratio. Never add extra water or formula powder as it can upset your baby’s digestion.
Shake well to ensure the formula is properly mixed and there are no lumps.
Test the temperature of the formula by dripping a few drops on your wrist – it should be warm, not hot.
Storing and Reusing Aptamil Formula
It’s important to prepare only the amount of formula your baby needs for each feeding. If your baby doesn’t finish a bottle, discard the leftover formula within 1 hour. Avoid storing partially consumed bottles as they may contain bacteria.
Prepared formula that has not been fed to the baby can be stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Avoid reheating formula more than once.
SEE ALSO: How Much Colostrum Should a Newborn Drink?
Monitoring Baby’s Growth and Adjusting Formula Amounts
As your baby grows and reaches developmental milestones, their feeding needs will naturally change. It’s important to keep an eye on your baby’s growth and adjust the formula amounts accordingly.
Signs your baby might need more formula:
Appearing hungry soon after feeding.
Finishing bottles more quickly than usual.
Waking up more frequently during the night due to hunger.
Signs your baby might be overfed:
Spitting up frequently.
Gassiness or fussiness after feeding.
Sudden weight gain or discomfort.
Conclusion
Knowing how much Aptamil to feed your newborn involves careful observation of their hunger cues, weight gain, and overall health. While general guidelines exist for formula quantities, every baby is different. The most important thing is to monitor your baby’s growth and adjust the amount as needed. Regular check-ups with your pediatrician will ensure your baby is developing well and receiving the right nutrition from Aptamil.
