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Dr. Bill and Martha Answer:
How do I know if my baby is eating enough?

Question:
How do I know if my baby daughter is eating enough? Is there a chart of how much a baby weighs versus how many ounces she should (at least) be taking in per day? Or do doctors only check to see if the baby is gaining weight and growing well?

 Answer:
Most parents worry that their children don't eat enough, but in fact most children do. While few children pack in enough food to satisfy their parents, a more important question is whether your infant is eating enough of the right kind of food to meet her individual nutritional needs. It's not just the quantity of food that's important, it's the quality of food.

Here's how to tell if your baby is getting enough to eat:

  1. Check your infant's growth pattern. Ask your doctor for a copy of your infant's growth records from past office visits. Where your infant fits on the growth chart is often a reflection of her individual body type rather than nutritional sufficiency. Significant drops in the percentile ranking on the growth chart suggest there may be a problem with being undernourished. For example, if your baby has consistently plotted around the 50th percentile in weight and there is a gradual fall to a lower percentile, say the 25th, over several months, take this as a clue that your child may be undernourished. If your child has consistently remained near the same percentile for several months, she is likely to be getting enough to eat. While growth charts are not infallible as indicators for optimal growth, at least they provide clues as to whether or not your baby is getting proper nutrition.
  2. Do a head-to-toe examination of your baby for possible nutritional deficiencies. Look for such signs as dry, brittle hair; pale, flaky skin; dark circles underneath the eyes; cracking and fissures at the corners of her mouth; soft bleeding gums; brittle teeth; and general fatigue.
  3. If breastfeeding, and your infant seems satisfied, chances are she is getting enough to eat. If formula-feeding, most infants need around 2 ounces per pound per day.
  4. Regarding solids, children will eat as much as they need. In consultation with your child's pediatrician, as long as your baby is plotting normally on the growth chart (taking into consideration her body type) and appears satisfied, chances are she is getting enough to eat.