Understanding the size of a newborn’s stomach is crucial for establishing healthy feeding practices. At birth, a baby’s tummy is no larger than a cherry, which means it can hold only a small amount of milk. Overfeeding can lead to discomfort and potential health issues.

Some information on a baby’s stomach size found online or even given in hospitals, is represented by formula companies. –These companies encourage rapid increases in quantity of feeding. Volume is increased, because unlike breastmilk, formula is not a living substance and cannot change to meet the demands of a growing baby. Many formula companies mislead parents with images and measurements that do not accurately represent a newborn’s true tummy size. Here, we will provide you with the truth about newborn tummy size and the appropriate amount that is needed to feed your baby.

Baby’s intake with max out at 3-4 oz., as the amount of breastmilk needed doesn’t change, but the quality and nutritional factors of the milk changes to meet the baby’s needs. Therefore, never needing to go more than 3-4 oz, even though baby is growing.

Am I Enough?

I remember being in the hospital room with with my newborn baby and feeling like he wasn’t get enough because he didn’t seem satisfied. He was crying and “seemed not to be getting enough milk”, (because you know, crying equals hunger (eye roll)). No one told me about small tummies and that colostrum was all they need in the first few days because their tummies are so small. All I was hearing from hospital staff, was that my milk hasn’t come in yet.

Imagine: a new mother with zero experience and knowledge breastfeeding, hearing your milk hasn’t come in?? So then baby isn’t getting fed?? Talk about fear. Natural instinct is that baby needs to eat! In reality, the crying was him teaching me how to be a mother.

★★★★★

“The information on newborn tummy size was eye-opening. It reassured me that my baby was getting just the right amount of milk.”