How much and how often should an infant eat?
The average breastfed newborn consumes ~ 1.5 to 3 oz (or 45-90 milliliters) every 2 to 3 hours (An average of 8 times per day). An infant nurse for approximately 10 mins at a time. Formula fed infants usually eat less often to breastfed babies (~ every 3 to 4 hours). This is because the contents of formula take longer for infants to digest causing them to remain fuller for a longer period of time. The number of oz consumed increases with development. (Ben-Joseph, E. P.)
Nutrients of formula Breast milk contains living white blood cells, hormones, enzymes, and immunoglobulins that make it difficult to replicate these advantages in formula (Stehlin).
Due to the fact that formula is harder for infants to digest than
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When breastfeeding, it is harder to go out and run simple errands (Ben-Joseph, E. P.). Women also have to feed their infants every 2-3 hour in the beginning so getting sleep can be hard. Moms also have to be cautious of what they eat or drink because it can be passed down to the baby through breast milk. Breastfeeding women should avoid fish with a high mercury content (Ben-Joseph, E. P.). There is also a higher number of feedings when compared to infants fed with formula because breastmilk has a lower satiety value than formula (Ben-Joseph, E. P.). One of the final cons to breastfeeding is the fact that human milk has a lower value of iron than formula which is often iron fortified. Iron deficiency is approximately twice as common in infants that are breastfed. Formulas also have a higher absorption rate when compared to breast milk. (Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on the Evaluation of the Addition of Ingredients New to Infant Formula,