What is the recommended breastmilk (human milk) feeding requirement in milliliters (mL) for a day 1 newborn?

Day 1 Newborn Breastmilk Feeding Requirements

For day 1 newborns, breastmilk intake should be approximately less than 100 mL total for the first day of life, with feeding occurring 8-12 times per 24 hours (approximately every 2-3 hours). 1, 2

Breastfeeding Volume Guidelines by Age

• Day 1: Less than 100 mL total per day 1
• Days 4-5: Increases rapidly to 500-600 mL per day 1
• After 1 month: Reaches 600-800 mL per day 1
• After 6 months: Reaches 700-900 mL per day 1

Feeding Frequency Recommendations

• Newborns should feed on demand, at least 8-10 times in 24 hours (approximately every 2-3 hours) 1, 2
• Frequent feeding (8-10 times/day) decreases newborn weight loss, reduces the need for supplements, and lowers the risk of clinically significant hyperbilirubinemia 1
• Breastfeeding 9-10 times per day is associated with lower bilirubin concentrations, while breastfeeding fewer than 7 times per day is associated with higher bilirubin concentrations 1, 2

Importance of Early Breastfeeding Practices

• Colostrum is the first milk produced and contains important immunological factors 3
• Early skin-to-skin contact decreases the risk of hypoglycemia 1
• Continuous rooming-in with frequent, exclusive breastfeeding is recommended 1
• Breastfeeding in the first hour after birth supports successful breastfeeding initiation 1

Expected Patterns and Monitoring

• Postnatal weight nadir typically occurs after 2-3 days with an average weight loss of 6-7% in breastfed infants 1
• Weight loss exceeding 10% may indicate inadequate intake but is not always pathological 1
• Mothers experience more copious milk production (lactogenesis II) by the third to fourth day after delivery 1
• The energy content of human milk averages 0.62 kcal/g (2.6 kJ/g) 1

Clinical Considerations and Pitfalls

• Avoid recommending breast milk supplements unless breastfeeding technique and frequency have been optimized first or when supplementation is medically necessary 1, 2
• Inadequate human milk intake in the first days after delivery can contribute to longer hospital stays and higher readmission rates, particularly in late preterm and early term infants 1
• Night feedings are common and make an important contribution to total milk intake 4
• There is no relationship between the number of breastfeedings per day and the 24-hour milk production of mothers, suggesting that demand feeding should be encouraged rather than adhering to a strict schedule 4

Special Situations

• For very low birth weight infants (<1500g), mother's expressed milk provides short and long-term health benefits, including reduction of necrotizing enterocolitis, late-onset sepsis, and improved neurodevelopment 1
• When supplementation is necessary, expressed maternal milk is preferred over formula 1
• Phototherapy for jaundice is not an indication for formula supplementation unless bilirubin concentrations are approaching exchange transfusion levels 1

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