Is Your 3-Month-Old Getting Enough Milk? Key Feeding Insights

Total Milk Intake Issues for a 3-Month-Old Baby

Hello Dr.
Hsiao,
My baby was born weighing 3165g, measuring 49 cm in length, and with a head circumference of 34 cm.
Currently, at 3 months and 11 days, the baby weighs 7 kg, measures 60.4 cm in length, and has a head circumference of 40 cm.
In the past week or two, the baby has started sleeping through the night, sometimes for as long as 8 to 10 hours before waking up for a feeding.
During the day, the baby sometimes feeds every 4 hours and sometimes every 5 hours.
We are currently maintaining a feeding of 160 ml per meal (which takes about 10 to 15 minutes to finish).
Since the baby rarely shows signs of hunger before the scheduled feeding, we have not increased the milk volume yet.
Observing this, the baby is only taking about 4 to 5 feedings per day.

Is this total daily milk volume sufficient? (How is the total milk volume calculated?) Should we consider increasing the milk volume? Would it be appropriate to increase by 10 ml at a time, or based on the baby's condition, could we increase by 20 ml? (The baby has a good amount of urine output, and bowel movements vary from 1 to 3 times a day, or sometimes every 2 to 3 days.
The stool is yellow and pasty, but sometimes it appears in small watery chunks.)
Thank you, doctor, for taking the time to respond.

Jocy, 30~39 year old female. Ask Date: 2017/03/19

Dr. Xiao Kaiwen reply Pediatrics

As long as the baby's vitality is normal, height and weight are increasing appropriately, and urine output is normal, a temporary refusal to feed that is not due to illness (such as mouth sores from hand, foot, and mouth disease or vomiting and diarrhea from gastroenteritis) is considered a benign phase of feeding refusal.
This period is usually temporary, and it is best to observe and let it pass naturally; the baby will gradually return to normal feeding habits after some time (your child likely falls into this category).
Typically, the minimum amount of milk needed to prevent dehydration is 100 cc per kilogram per day, but it is also important to assess vitality and urine output.

Reply Date: 2017/03/19

More Info

When it comes to ensuring that your 3-month-old baby is getting enough milk, there are several key factors to consider. Based on the information you've provided, your baby was born weighing 3165g and is now 7kg at 3 months and 11 days old, which indicates a healthy weight gain. The average weight gain for infants in the first few months is about 150-200 grams per week, and your baby seems to be on track.

Feeding Frequency and Amount
At this age, babies typically consume about 150-200ml of formula or breast milk per kilogram of body weight per day. For your baby weighing 7kg, this translates to approximately 1050-1400ml of milk daily. If your baby is consuming around 160ml per feeding and has 4-5 feedings a day, that would amount to 640-800ml, which is on the lower end of the recommended daily intake.
Given that your baby is sleeping through the night for 8-10 hours and sometimes goes 4-5 hours between feedings during the day, it may be beneficial to gradually increase the amount of milk per feeding. You could consider increasing the amount by 10-20ml per feeding, depending on how your baby responds. If your baby seems satisfied and is gaining weight appropriately, this gradual increase should be sufficient.

Monitoring Output
You mentioned that your baby has a good urine output and variable bowel movements, which is a positive sign. Generally, a well-hydrated baby will have at least 6-8 wet diapers a day. The stool consistency you described—yellow and mushy—is typical for breastfed babies, while formula-fed babies may have firmer stools. The frequency of bowel movements can vary widely among infants, and it’s normal for some babies to go several days without a bowel movement, especially if they are breastfed.

Nutritional Needs
Breast milk or formula provides all the necessary nutrients for your baby at this stage. If you are considering introducing solids, the World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months, after which you can start introducing complementary foods while continuing to breastfeed. However, if your baby is showing signs of hunger and is not satisfied with the current feeding schedule, it may be time to increase the milk intake.

Conclusion
In summary, while your baby is gaining weight and has a good output, it may be beneficial to increase the feeding volume slightly to ensure they are getting enough nutrition. Pay attention to your baby's cues; if they seem hungry or are not satisfied after feedings, consider increasing the amount. Always consult with your pediatrician if you have concerns about your baby's feeding patterns or growth. They can provide personalized recommendations based on your baby's specific needs and health status.

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