Final answer:
Term babies should be fed 8-12 times in 24 hours, signaling every 2-3 hours for feeding, with the milk composition changing over the first days from colostrum to mature milk. The mother's milk supply adapts to the baby's growth needs, producing around 1.5 liters of milk per day.
Step-by-step explanation:
New term babies typically need to be fed 8-12 times in 24 hours, which is about every 2-3 hours. Term babies may show increased demand for feedings during growth spurts, and their mothers' milk supply adjusts to meet these demands. The composition of breast milk changes during the first days of lactation, beginning with the secretion of colostrum, which is rich in immunoglobulins, transitioning to a mature milk composition that supports the infant's nutritional needs.
In the first 48-72 hours postpartum, colostrum is produced in small but sufficient quantities for the newborn's needs. As lactation continues, a single lactating person can produce approximately 1.5 liters of milk per day, which is essential for the baby's growth and development. For a healthy baby requiring 850 ml of milk daily, the mother needs an additional 720 Kcal/day in her diet to meet the energy demands of lactation.