Medical expert of the article
New publications
Nutrition of a newborn baby
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
If the birth was uncomplicated and the newborn is active and healthy, it can be immediately put to the breast. The earliest possible application of the newborn to the breast contributes to the subsequent success of breastfeeding. Regurgitation of mucus after feeding is common, this is due to the weakness of the smooth muscles of the gastroesophageal sphincter; within 48 hours, regurgitation should decrease. If regurgitation of mucus or vomiting persists for more than 48 hours, especially if the vomit is bilious, a complete examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract is necessary to detect congenital anomalies of the gastrointestinal tract.
Daily fluid and calorie requirements vary with age and are proportionately greater in neonates and young children than in older children and adults. Relative protein and calorie requirements (g or kcal/kg body weight) decline progressively from late infancy to adolescence, while absolute requirements increase. For example, protein requirements decline from 1.2 g/(kg day) at 1 year to 0.9 g/(kg day) at 18 years, and mean relative calorie requirements decline from 100 kcal/kg at 1 year to 40 kcal/kg in late adolescence. Dietary recommendations for the newborn are generally not evidence-based. Vitamin requirements depend on daily energy intake, protein, fat, carbohydrate, and amino acid content of the diet.
[ Problems with feeding
Minor fluctuations in the daily nutritional intake of a newborn baby are common and, although they often cause concern for parents, usually require the physician to only verify the absence of signs of illness or to monitor physical development indicators, especially body weight (changes in the percentile on the standard body weight curve are a more important indicator than absolute changes in body weight).
A loss of more than 5-7% of body weight in the first week of life indicates underfeeding. The initial body weight should be restored by 2 weeks of life, with daily gains of about 20-30 g/day (1 oz/day) in the first few months. By 6 months, the baby should double the initial body weight.