When it comes to feeding a 1 month old baby, many new parents have questions about breastmilk and formula intake. How much should my baby be eating? Is my baby getting enough to eat? While there are general guidelines, the amount a baby eats can vary quite a bit from child to child. Read on as we explore how many ounces of breastmilk a typical 1 month old baby drinks.
How often should a 1 month old breastfeed?
At 1 month old, babies tend to feed 8-12 times or more in a 24 hour period. This includes both breastfeeding and bottle feeding sessions. Some babies will feed very frequently, as often as every 1-2 hours during the day. Other babies may go 2.5-4 hours between feeding sessions. Nighttime feedings are also common at 1 month old, with babies waking 1-3 times overnight to breastfeed.
Newborns tend to nurse for long stretches at a time, sometimes 30 minutes or more per session. By 1 month, breastfeeding sessions tend to get shorter, typically 10-15 minutes on each breast. However, babies sometimes have growth spurts and “cluster feeding” periods around 1 month where they may return to frequent, marathon nursing for a day or two.
Feeding on demand, rather than on a strict schedule, is recommended during the first few months. Allowing babies to nurse when showing hunger cues results in adequate milk intake and avoids undereating. Signs your 1 month old wants to breastfeed include:
- Smacking or licking lips
- Rooting (turning head) towards your breast
- Hand to mouth motions
- Sucking on fist or fingers
- Fussing or crying
How many ounces does a 1 month old drink per feeding?
As a general rule of thumb, a breastfed baby of 1 month will consume about 2-3 ounces per feeding session. However, keep in mind that breastfed babies take in varying amounts at each feeding. The volume they consume depends factors like:
- Time of day – babies tend to take in bigger volumes in the morning after going longer without eating overnight
- Level of growth – babies may drink larger volumes during growth spurts
- Stage of the feeding – foremilk versus hindmilk
- Duration of feeding – longer sessions result in more ounces consumed
Ounce counts aren’t as important as paying attention to your baby’s hunger and fullness cues. Some feeds they may only take in 1 ounce or less. Other feeds they may intake 3 ounces or more if especially hungry.
Average ounces per session
As a general average, during the newborn period a baby will take in about 2-3 ounces every 2-3 hours when breastfeeding. Here’s an example of how feedings may look for a 1 month old over 24 hours:
| Time | Amount Consumed |
|---|---|
| 2 am | 2.5 ounces |
| 5 am | 3 ounces |
| 8 am | 2.5 ounces |
| 11 am | 2 ounces |
| 2 pm | 3 ounces |
| 5 pm | 2.5 ounces |
| 8 pm | 3 ounces |
| 11 pm | 2 ounces |
Remember, this is just a sample to provide an idea of intake. Actual amounts consumed and timing of feeds will vary for each individual baby.
How many ounces per day
Putting together all the feeding sessions over 24 hours, the average 1 month old breastfed baby consumes 19-30 ounces per day. However, this amount can vary significantly. Growth spurts, cluster feeding periods, and differences in appetite among babies can all impact daily totals.
Exclusively breastfed babies this age take in around 25 ounces on average per day. Babies who get both breastmilk and formula may take in more ounces per day, around 30 total.
Daily ounce ranges
Looking at broad ranges, a typical 1 month old may take in:
- 16-24 ounces on the low end
- 22-30 ounces on the middle/average end
- 28-36 ounces on the high end
Babies who regularly take in volumes on the low or high ends may indicate a need to adjust the feeding schedule or volume offered in bottles. Keep an eye out for signs of under or over feeding.
Growth spurts
Growth spurts are periods where babies experience rapid physical development. These often occur around 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months of age. During growth spurts babies demand extra feedings and take in larger milk volumes to support this development.
Ounces consumed each day may increase by 5-10 ounces during a growth spurt. Pay attention to hunger cues and allow your baby extra nursing sessions until the spurt passes in a few days. The extra feeds signal your body to produce more milk.
How to know if baby is getting enough
To make sure your breastfed 1 month old is eating adequately, look for these signs:
- Wet and dirty diapers: Expect 6+ wet diapers and 3-4 dirty diapers in a 24 hour period.
- Weight gain: Baby should gain around 1-2 pounds per month on average.
- Fullness cues: Seems content and full after feeding with hands relaxed.
- Satisfied sleep: Sleeps deeply between feeds vs fussy stirring or waking.
- Development: Shows healthy energy and is meeting milestones.
Talk to your pediatrician if you have concerns about your baby’s daily ounces or feeding patterns. They can help assess if your child is getting adequate nutrition.
How to measure breastmilk intake
Wondering how you can measure the ounces your baby takes in per feeding when breastfeeding? Here are some tips:
- Weigh before and after: Use an infant scale to weigh baby immediately before and after a feeding. The difference reflects the amount of milk consumed.
- Pumped bottles: When you pump bottles, note the volume measured on the bottle.
- Supplement with formula: Offer a known quantity of formula after breastfeeding. Watch for signs of fullness.
- Weigh diapers: Weigh dry vs wet/soiled diapers to estimate intake.
Keep in mind that these approaches provide approximations rather than perfect accuracy. Feeding volumes will vary from day to day.
What if baby won’t finish a bottle?
When bottle feeding breastmilk or formula, babies may not always finish the full volume offered. Reasons could include:
- Getting distracted or impatient
- Too much milk flowed at once
- Nipple hole too fast or slow
- Less hungry than expected
Try the following tips if baby regularly leaves an ounce or two behind at bottle feeds:
- Swaddle baby to minimize distractions
- Offer smaller amounts at more frequent intervals
- Try a different nipple flow rate
- Gently burp halfway through feeding
- Slow down pace of feeding
- Know it’s okay if appetite varies!
When to start solid foods
Babies remain exclusively on breastmilk and/or formula until around 6 months of age. At that point, some developmental signs indicate readiness to start introducing solid foods.
Signs of readiness for solids include:
- Good head and neck control
- Ability to sit upright supported
- Loss of tongue thrust reflex
- Interest in food on your plate
Starting solids too early, before 4-6 months, can increase risk of allergies and choking. Always check with your pediatrician before introducing any new foods other than breastmilk or formula.
Tips for feeding a 1 month old
Here are some helpful tips for feeding a 1 month old breastfed baby:
- Respond to hunger cues: Feed on demand to ensure adequate intake.
- Offer both breasts: Alternate which you offer first to ensure balanced milk removal.
- Monitor diapers: Track wet/dirty counts to ensure adequate hydration and calories.
- Room in: Consider partial or full room-sharing to facilitate night feeds.
- Watch positioning: Use pillows as needed to bring baby to breast level during feeds.
- Identify any ties: Check for signs of lip or tongue tie impeding feeding.
If you plan to return to work or be away from your baby, start pumping and storing breastmilk around 3-4 weeks old. This allows time to build a reserve in your freezer.
Supplementing with formula
While exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for about 6 months, some mothers may need or choose to supplement with formula. Reasons for supplementing include:
- Low milk supply
- Difficulty latching
- Adoptive mothers
- Medical need to take medications
- Baby not gaining weight well
- Personal preference
If supplementing, aim to limit formula to no more than 20-30% of total daily intake. More than this can impact milk supply. Here are some supplementing tips:
- Always breastfeed first before offering formula bottles
- Pump after breastfeeding to signal more milk production
- Limit supplementing after 6 weeks once supply is established
- Use slowest flow nipple to mimic breast
- Hold baby close for feedings
Talk to a lactation consultant if you need help determining how much formula to supplement while maintaining your supply.
Signs your 1 month old is still hungry
Is your baby showing any of these cues after breastfeeding sessions? He may need more milk than he is getting.
- Chewing/rooting motions
- Fussing or crying
- Hands in mouth
- Gazing/turning to you
- Sucking on fist
Try the following if your 1 month old seems hungry again shortly after nursing:
- Switch to the other breast and offer a second feeding
- Express some milk to give via spoon, syringe or bottle
- If using formula, supplement with up to 2 ounces
- Boost calorie intake via hindmilk expression
- Increase nursing frequency for a few days
Frequent hunger after feedings that persists over weeks could potentially indicate an underlying condition. See your pediatrician to rule out causes like reflux, food sensitivities, or physical impairment to feeding.
When to call the pediatrician
Reach out to your baby’s doctor if your 1 month old shows any of the following:
- Inadequate wet diapers and dirty diapers
- Not regaining birth weight by 2 weeks
- Falls off growth curve significantly
- Refuses to feed or vomits excessively
- Difficulty latching or sucking
- Sleepy at most feeding attempts
- Colic symptoms for hours daily
The pediatrician can assess if an underlying issue is impacting your baby’s feeding or growth. They may recommend supplements, medicines, scheduling adjustments, and other interventions to get nutrition on track.
Conclusion
Feeding a newborn breastfed baby involves paying close attention to hunger cues, feeding times, and intake amounts. While ounces consumed will vary, a general rule is 2-3 ounces per session, or 19-30 total ounces per day for a 1 month old.
Track diaper counts, weight checks, and hunger signs to ensure your baby is getting enough nourishment. Don’t stress too much over the exact ounces per feeding – trust your child’s appetite and needs. With time, patience, and practice, you and baby will establish a breastfeeding rhythm that provides the nutrition needed to grow and develop.
