Signs Your Baby Is Growing Well on Formula

It is natural for parents to wonder whether their baby is eating enough, growing as expected, and developing normally during those first weeks at home. Since newborns cannot tell you how they are feeling, it can sometimes be difficult to know whether feeding is going well.

Fortunately, there are several signs you can watch for during feedings, diaper changes, and everyday care that can help show whether your baby is getting the nutrition they need. Knowing what to look for can also help you recognize when it may be time to talk with your pediatrician.

How Often Is My Baby Hungry?

Newborn babies typically want to eat every two to three hours, although every baby is different. In general, babies should be fed when they show signs of hunger rather than waiting until they begin to cry, since crying is often a later hunger cue.

Early signs of hunger can include:

• Moving their head from side to side or “rooting,” such as turning toward the breast or bottle
• Opening their mouth, smacking or licking their lips, or moving their tongue
• Bringing their hands toward their mouth or face

During the first days of life, formula-fed newborns may take about 1 to 2 ounces at each feeding. As they grow, they will generally begin taking more formula at each feeding and may go longer between feedings.

Pay attention to your baby’s hunger and fullness cues rather than focusing on an exact amount at every feeding. Your pediatrician can also help you determine whether your baby is eating enough and growing as expected.

Wet and Dirty Diapers

Wet and dirty diapers can provide useful clues about whether your baby is getting enough formula and staying hydrated. During the first few days after birth, the number of wet diapers should gradually increase. After about four to five days, most newborns should have at least five to six wet diapers each day.

Bowel movement patterns can vary much more. Formula-fed babies typically have somewhat firmer stools than breastfed babies, but the number of bowel movements can differ from one baby to another and may change as your baby grows.

Pay attention to your baby’s usual pattern. Fewer wet diapers than expected, hard or very dry stools, blood in the stool, or a significant change in bowel movements may be reasons to contact your pediatrician.

Sleeping and Napping

During the first few months, babies spend much of their time sleeping and often become relaxed or sleepy after feeding. Newborns usually wake frequently to eat, including during the night.

Very young babies may sometimes need to be awakened for feedings, especially during the first month or if they are not yet gaining weight as expected. Once your baby is feeding well and gaining weight steadily, your pediatrician can let you know when it is appropriate to allow longer stretches of sleep without waking them to eat.

As babies grow, they generally begin staying awake for longer periods and becoming more alert and engaged between feedings and naps. Every baby’s sleep pattern is different, but changes in alertness and longer periods of wakefulness are a normal part of development.

Developmental Milestones

As babies grow, they begin reaching developmental milestones involving movement, communication, learning, and social interaction. These milestones happen within general age ranges, and every baby develops at their own pace.

Around two months, many babies begin to:

• Smile when you talk or smile at them
• Make sounds other than crying
• React to loud sounds
• Hold their head up while on their stomach
• Calm down when spoken to or picked up

By around four months, many babies may:

• Hold their head steady without support
• Hold a toy placed in their hand
• Make sounds such as “oooo” or “aahh”
• Make sounds back when you talk to them
• Push up onto their elbows or forearms while on their stomach

By around six months, babies may begin to:

• Laugh
• Babble and make different sounds
• Reach for and grab objects
• Bring objects to their mouth
• Roll over and become more active during floor play

By around nine months, many babies respond to their name, make repeated sounds such as “mamamama” or “babababa,” sit without support, and begin showing a stronger preference for familiar caregivers.

Around the first birthday, babies may pull themselves up to stand, walk while holding onto furniture, use simple gestures, pick up small objects with their fingers, and begin using simple words or word-like sounds.

Milestones are helpful ways to follow your baby’s development, but they are not an exact timetable. If your baby is not meeting milestones you expected or you have concerns about their development, talk with your pediatrician.

Healthy Weight Gain

Newborns normally lose some weight during the first few days after birth before beginning to gain it back. Most babies return to their birth weight by about two weeks of age, although some may take a little longer. After that, healthy newborns typically gain weight steadily during the first several months.

There is usually no need to weigh your baby every day at home. During regular checkups, your pediatrician will monitor your baby’s weight, length, and overall growth pattern using a growth chart. What matters most is whether your baby continues growing along an appropriate curve over time.

Contact your pediatrician if:

• Your baby is unusually sleepy or difficult to wake for feedings.
• Your baby is having fewer wet diapers than expected.
• Your baby seems consistently uninterested in feeding or has difficulty eating.
• Your baby has repeated vomiting or significant diarrhea.
• You notice signs of dehydration, poor weight gain, or another significant change from your baby’s usual behavior.

Diaper output, feeding patterns, and alertness can all provide useful clues, but your baby’s growth over time is one of the best ways to tell whether they are getting enough nutrition. If you have concerns, talk with your pediatrician rather than relying on a single weight or feeding amount.

Parents of premature infants may also need to watch for serious medical complications such as NEC. If your baby was born at 36 weeks gestation or earlier, was fed a qualifying infant formula or fortifier shortly after birth, and then developed necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), Morgan & Morgan can review what happened and help you understand your legal options. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.