Final answer:
Newborns should be bottle-fed every 2-3 hours or as needed. Colostrum is produced for initial immunity, and then the milk transitions to mature milk. Infants may need up to 850 ml of milk daily, and cow's milk is not a suitable substitute for breast milk.
Step-by-step explanation:
Feeding Frequency for Newborns with Bottle Feeding
Newborns who are bottle-fed need frequent feedings, which can be every 2 to 3 hours or on demand when the baby shows hunger cues. As each baby's needs and intake volumes can vary, recognizing signs of hunger and satisfaction is crucial. Parents should monitor the baby's weight gain and consult their pediatrician to ensure that the baby is feeding well.
Breast milk undergoes significant changes during the initial days of lactation. Initially, colostrum is produced, which is rich in immunoglobulins, providing the newborn with crucial immunity. Around the third day postpartum, the milk transitions to a form between colostrum and mature milk, eventually becoming mature milk around 10 days postpartum.
A healthy newborn may require up to 850 ml of milk daily, equivalent to approximately 578 Kcal/day. For lactating mothers, an additional diet of about 720 Kcal/day is recommended to meet energy requirements, supported by fat reserves accumulated during pregnancy.
It's important to note that cow's milk is not a substitute for breast milk due to differences in composition. Infants' digestive systems may have difficulty metabolizing the proteins in cow's milk, and it lacks the appropriate proportions of lactose and fat found in breast milk.