zoom on the quantity of milk to give him

Three months is the age when your baby begins to take a real rhythm: especially in terms of sleep and meals. Whether breastfed or bottle-fed, your baby knows how to regulate his appetite perfectly and let you know when he is hungry. However, all parents face concerns about the amount and frequency of their infant’s meals.

How long should a breastfeed last? How many milliliters of milk should we prepare? What is the best formula for your baby? These are all questions you can ask yourself when your baby is developing. While there is no ready-made answer, there are nevertheless orders of magnitude depending on the age groups. Find out in this article everything you need to know about feeding a 3 month old baby!

How does a three month old baby drink?

From birth to 1 year, milk – breast or infant – remains the staple food for the good growth of your baby. At three months, we are not yet talking about food diversification. But it won’t be long! Rest assured, he will no longer suck every hour as he could in his first weeks. However, around 3 months, babies experience a developmental leap also known as a “peak growth” and need more energy to grow well. It is therefore normal for your baby to want more milk. It is even a sign that it is developing well, so take it with philosophy, this period which can be trying does not usually last more than a few days. Your child is only growing. Moreover, you will quickly notice it on your baby’s weight gain.

You may also observe that the bottles or feedings are spaced out. This shows that your infant is regulating his appetite better and better. Don’t be tempted to wake him up to feed him if he’s sleeping soundly. Keep in mind that a baby will never allow themselves to starve to death, and only prepare for a hungry baby when they wake up.

Can we continue to give breast milk?

If you have chosen to breastfeed, you may be tempted to stop breastfeeding for fear that you may not be making enough milk. Rest assured, mothers’ lactation is adapting to these new needs. Breastfeed anywhere, whenever you want, your body will adapt. You can continue to breastfeed your baby on demand or express your milk, your body will follow suit. Just remember to alternate the breasts to avoid having an asymmetrical breast and to avoid engorgement. If your baby’s growth chart continues to progress, he is very healthy! Just remember to give your baby vitamin D, as it is essential for his growth and is not found in breast milk.

Breastfeeding mothers who have returned to work can still continue breastfeeding. Labor law provides for one hour per day of your working time to express your milk. You can then keep it in a cool place, in suitable containers, for 48 hours, and 4 months in the freezer if you wish to stock up. You can then easily transport it to the nursery or to the nursery assistant if you have decided to take care of your baby.

How to warm breast milk?
Breast milk does not heat up in the microwave. To thaw it, leave it in the fridge overnight. To give it lukewarm to your baby (it is usually more digestible), you can immerse the bottle in a bowl of hot water. Any bottle of breast milk or infant milk that has not been finished should be discarded, as bacteria can grow on contact with the air in the formula.

At what times to feed your baby?

Now that your baby is 3 months old, you may have noticed that he drinks at more regular times. For your greatest happiness, a rhythm begins to establish itself. But it is also important for him because a baby is also reassured by the regularity. If you set up a ritual, such as a meal, a diaper change, a wake-up time, and a bedtime after a hug, your child will gain a better understanding of how their day goes and feel more peaceful.

However, each baby is different and has their own rhythm. And fear not, if you have to change your baby’s rhythm for a doctor’s appointment, an unexpected outing, or any change, baby will adapt.
Infant feeding professionals always recommend feeding infants on demand. So, if your baby is crying out for food after waking up, try to let go with a bottle or a feed, it doesn’t necessarily mean that your whole rhythm will be disrupted.

Example of distribution of bottles over a day
You can, for example, give a first bottle or a breastfeed in the morning, in the middle of the morning, at noon, at snack time and in the evening. These hours remain flexible. Just be sure to keep an interval of 2:30 to 3 hours on average between each food intake, so that your baby has time to digest. As for the last bottle, you can give it just before your baby goes to bed for the night. He will tend to fall asleep better if he is full.

How Much Milk Does a Three-Month-Old Baby Drink?

In terms of quantities, it is considered that a 3 month old baby drinks about 120 mL of milk per feed. It is for this reason that we usually give one or two more feeds than bottles for the same amount of milk drunk over 24 hours. A three-month-old baby is considered to weigh around 5.5 kg and therefore should consume an average of 750 to 800 mL of milk per 24 hours. But again, these are averages and guidelines. Every baby is different and it is important to respect their specific needs which may vary from day to day.

At three months, you can give 5 to 6 bottles or 6 to 7 feeds, especially if your baby is still begging to eat at night, which is quite normal. Breast milk is mostly water, it digests faster than formula.

If you have chosen to bottle-feed, specialists recommend bottles of 150 ml to 180 ml (5 to 6 measuring spoons of 1st age formula). These amounts are valid from the first to the last day of the baby’s third month. If you see that your baby is not full, you can always give him 30 mL of water + an extra measuring spoon of powder.

How to choose the right infant milk?

The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for up to 6 months. But formula is still a very good alternative that may be suitable for families who do not want or cannot breastfeed.

Three-month-old babies still drink 1st-grade milk. It is the one that is best suited to their protein, lipid, vitamin and mineral needs. You can switch to 2nd age milk from six months old when your pediatrician gives you the green light. A milk was probably offered to you from the maternity hospital. If it is suitable for your infant, there is no reason to change it. If, on the other hand, you have observed that your baby regurgitates often, that he loses weight, that he is constipated or on the contrary that he is subject to diarrhea, you can try a more specific milk for these “disorders”. But always consult your pediatrician before trying another formula as it is not recommended to change milk or brand often.

There are also milks for babies allergic to cow’s milk protein. This allergy is diagnosed by a specialist, either by observing the baby’s reaction when he drinks conventional milk, or by a blood test. These milks are bought in pharmacies and prescribed on prescription. It is an increasingly frequent ailment: talk to your doctor if you have any doubts.

How to prepare a baby’s bottle ?

First of all, wash your hands well and use a clean, dry bottle. Then pour 150 to 180 mL of water. Then use the measuring spoon supplied with the box of milk to measure out 5 to 6 scoops leveled with a knife. Always pour in the water first, then the powdered milk and mix well, taking care to close the bottle. To avoid bubbles and make the mixture more digestible, it is advisable to mix the bottle by rubbing it between your palms rather than up and down.

You can then serve it at room temperature. For a lukewarm bottle, first heat the water for a few seconds in the microwave or even more convenient, with a bottle warmer directly, before adding the powder. If you use the pot or microwave to heat water, always check the temperature of the bottle before giving it to your baby.

What water for baby bottles?

It is advisable to use weakly mineralized water for the preparation of baby bottles. You can check if it is recommended directly on the bottle. The waters recommended for babies generally contain a small pictogram of a baby’s head.

The composition of the water is important, because the milks are ideally dosed. If you use water that is too rich in minerals, this could affect the baby’s transit by constipating him or giving him diarrhea, for example. If you see that your baby is embarrassed, you can try changing the water. Sometimes this can be enough to solve the problem without having to change the milk.

Note that it is also possible to give your baby tap water, provided that the green light is given for this use by the town hall or the metropolis. If you have any doubts, ask your pediatrician or directly to the municipality who will be able to answer you very quickly.
On the other hand, never give your baby filtered water using a filter jug. Filters may contain bacteria and this practice is not recommended by ANSES, the National Agency for Health Security.

How to change milk gently?
If you want to try a new milk, ask your pediatrician for advice and do not change abruptly from one bottle to another. The digestive system of babies is very fragile, it is better to give it time to assimilate this new milk. You can introduce the new formula gradually, replacing one scoop of the usual milk with the new one in the bottles for 24 hours, then switch to two scoops, etc. This will allow a smooth transition.

And don’t give up hope if your baby is suffering from colic, regurgitation or even GERD, these are common problems with babies that tend to improve with the introduction of baby food and the start of diversification. food.