Patient's question:
The baby is 26 days old and drinks very little milk. Breastfeeding sometimes lasts only three to four minutes, and when it's longer, it's about ten minutes. Today, the baby drank 45ml of formula milk in one meal and 55ml in another, with almost two hours in between. The baby has gained about a pound so far. The tongue has been quite thick and white, and the baby hasn't had a bowel movement from yesterday afternoon to this morning. Is it constipation? Does it need treatment? Is the baby's milk intake normal? How can I increase her milk intake?Doctor's answer:
Baby feeding is usually done on demand. The amount of milk can be estimated based on the baby's weight per kilogram. From 15 days to full moon, the feeding amount is approximately 100~150 milliliters per kilogram, with each meal about 60~100 milliliters.The baby didn’t have a bowel movement from yesterday afternoon to this morning, but it doesn’t necessarily mean the baby has constipation. Sometimes, if the baby drinks or eats less, they may not have a bowel movement for 1-2 days.
Offer the baby plenty of water and perform abdominal massage. Carefully observe the baby’s mental state and diet. If necessary, seek follow-up care at the hospital.