How Much Do Formula-Fed Infants Take in the First 2 Days?
Hugo Davila-Grijalva1, Andrea Hernandez Troya1, Elizabeth Kring1
11 Beaumont Children's Hospital, Royal Oak, MI, USA.
Insights
Exclusively formula-fed newborns consume approximately 115 mL/kg of formula in the first 48 hours of life. This intake is 2-3 times higher than breastfed infants, with minimal weight loss observed.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal nutrition
- Pediatric gastroenterology
Background:
- Understanding infant feeding patterns is crucial for healthy development.
- Accurate assessment of formula intake is essential for monitoring infant well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document the formula intake of exclusively formula-fed newborns during the initial 2 days of life.
- To compare formula intake with typical weight loss in the early neonatal period.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 50 healthy newborns (≥37 weeks gestation) was enrolled.
- Daily formula intake was documented until discharge.
- Pediatrician's assessment of infant intake was surveyed.
Main Results:
- 37 of 50 newborns stayed for at least 48 hours.
- Mean formula intake was 57.2 ± 20.4 mL/kg/d over the first 48 hours.
- Mean weight loss was 2.7% of birth weight by 45.7 ± 8.8 hours.
Conclusions:
- Healthy term newborns fed formula ad libitum consume approximately 115 mL/kg in the first 2 days.
- This intake is significantly higher than that of breastfed infants.
- Pediatricians tend to underestimate the actual formula intake of newborns.
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.
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