Being a parent with a newborn the first time can be a terrifying experience. After all, who decided you could keep a human alive? Do babies come with FAQs or instruction manuals? Does a person just magically know things about babies?
The 4th trimester is filled with uncertainty — and lots of questions. And one of the most important ones: How much should your new baby be eating? Here are some ways to find out if your newborn is getting enough (or too much) to eat.
Your newborn's appetite: How much should my baby eat?
When should you be concerned about your baby’s feeding?
Keep in mind that though many babies double their birth weight by 3 to 4 months, not all babies do. In general, exclusively breastfed babies put on weight slower than their formula fed counterparts, and formula fed babies gain weight faster after three months. Make sure your child’s doctor knows how you’re feeding your baby so they know to use the correct charts to make assessments about your child’s growth. For your reference, you can look at these World Health Organization (WHO) Growth Charts for Infant Boys and the WHO Growth Charts for Infant Girls.
If you don’t think your baby is eating enough or gaining enough weight, call your pediatrician. Even during the pandemic, the AAP recommends scheduling well baby visits to track your newborn’s development, discuss vaccines, and keep your child healthy and safe.
