How Much Do Formula-Fed Infants Take in the First 2 Days?

Abstract

Objective. To document the intake of exclusively formula-fed newborns during the first 2 days of life. Methods. We enrolled a cohort of 50 healthy newborns ≥37 weeks’ gestation and documented their daily formula intake until discharge. We surveyed pediatricians regarding their assessment of the intake of formula fed infants. Results. In all, 37 of 50 newborns stayed for at least 48 hours. The mean ± SD gestational age was 39.5 ± 0.88 weeks. Mean ±SD formula intake for the first 48 hours (n = 37) was 57.2 ± 20.4 mL/kg/d and mean weight loss at 45.7 ± 8.8 hours, was 2.7% of birth weight. Pediatricians underestimated the amounts taken by these infants. Conclusions. In the first 2 days, healthy term newborns, fed formula ad lib, consume about 115 mL/kg, about 2 to 3 times as much as breastfed infants, and they lose only 2.7% of their birthweight by 48 hours. Most pediatricians underestimate the intake of formula-fed infants.