Breastmilk provides optimal nutrition and health benefits for babies. Many moms wonder if giving just one bottle a day is enough for their babies to reap these benefits. Let’s take a look at the research and recommendations around how much breastmilk is ideal.
How much breastmilk do babies need?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life. This means giving them no foods or liquids other than breastmilk. After 6 months, they advise continuing breastfeeding while also introducing solid foods until at least 12 months of age and beyond, for as long as desired.
For the first few days after birth, babies need to breastfeed very frequently, generally 8-12 times in 24 hours. This helps establish the milk supply and provides the baby with nutritious colostrum. As babies grow, their feeding patterns change. By 1 month, babies feed 8-10 times per day on average. The amount of milk consumed at each feeding also increases rapidly in the early weeks.
On average, babies from 1-6 months old take in 25-35 oz (750-1050 ml) of breastmilk per day. However, every baby is different. Growth spurts, nursing frequency, and milk supply all impact individual needs.
Nutrients in Breastmilk
Breastmilk contains the ideal blend of nutrients, antioxidants, enzymes, hormones, and immune factors to promote growth and development. Key nutrients and components include:
- Protein – supports muscle and tissue growth
- Fat – provides energy and aids in brain and nervous system maturation
- Carbohydrates – provide energy
- Vitamins A, D, E, K – support vision, bone health, immunity, and blood clotting
- B vitamins – aid metabolism and red blood cell production
- Vitamin C – acts as an antioxidant and promotes iron absorption
- Minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium – build strong bones and teeth
- Probiotics – support healthy gut bacteria
- Antibodies – provide passive immunity and protection from illness
- Enzymes – assist digestion
- Hormones – influence growth and development
- Prebiotics – feed healthy gut bacteria
- Nucleotides – enhance immunity
- Long chain fatty acids like DHA – critical for brain and vision development
Benefits of Breastfeeding
Research clearly shows that breastfeeding provides major health benefits for both mothers and babies. Some of these include:
- Reduced risk of infections like ear infections, colds, flu, diarrhea, respiratory illness, meningitis, UTIs for babies
- Lower risk of SIDS
- Reduced chance of childhood leukemia, diabetes, obesity
- Enhanced cognitive development
- Lowers mom’s risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, ovarian and breast cancer
- Promotes bonding between mom and baby
Babies who are breastfed exclusively for 6 months experience less illness and hospitalizations compared to babies who are formula fed or partially breastfed. The protective benefits of breastmilk last well beyond the breastfeeding period too.
Potential Pitfalls of Limited Breastmilk
Feeding less than the recommended amount of breastmilk can negatively impact babies in several ways:
- Inadequate nutrition if formula or solids are introduced too early
- Increased illness without the full protection of breastmilk antibodies and immune factors
- Impaired brain growth and nervous system maturation without key components like DHA
- Reduced bonding and security from less frequent nursing
- Disruption of mom’s milk supply leading to inability to meet baby’s needs
While most babies require around 25-35 oz per day on average, some need more and some need less. Growth patterns vary. However, limiting breastmilk intake too drastically inhibits babies from obtaining optimal nutrition during this critical developmental window.
Is One Bottle Enough?
The average size of a baby bottle is 4-6 oz. So if a breastfed baby is only getting one bottle of breastmilk per day, that equates to 4-6 oz. This is well below the 25-35 oz of milk babies typically consume daily in the first months. While some babies may be on the lower end of the range, most babies would not get adequate nutrition and hydration from just one bottle a day.
Giving one bottle may be fine occasionally or temporarily if mom needs to be away from baby for a feeding. But regularly replacing multiple feedings with just a single bottle can negatively impact milk supply. It also deprives babies of the antibodies, nutrients, and other components of breastmilk they require in larger quantities.
| Age | Avg Daily Breastmilk Intake | One Bottle |
|---|---|---|
| 0-1 month | 25 oz | Not enough |
| 2-3 months | 30 oz | Not enough |
| 4-6 months | 35 oz | Not enough |
As this table shows, one bottle per day does not meet the typical breastmilk needs of babies in the first 6 months. After starting solids around 6 months, some babies may nurse less. But breastmilk should still make up a large portion of their daily diet throughout the first year.
When Can One Bottle Be Okay?
In some situations, restricting breastmilk intake to one bottle may be warranted:
- Supplementing with formula – Giving one bottle of breastmilk plus formula may be recommended if mom’s supply is low or baby needs extra calories
- Older baby with solids – Around 9-12 months when baby eats substantial solids, one bottle may provide enough breastmilk along with meals
- Mom returning to work/school – One bottle from pumped milk may be all mom can provide if away from baby for extended time
- Decreased demand/weaning – As baby begins naturally nursing less before weaning, one bottle may satisfy their needs
In these cases, one bottle of breastmilk can still provide some nutritional and immunological benefits when meeting all of baby’s needs with breastmilk alone is challenging.
Maximizing Milk Supply if Giving One Bottle
If mom needs or chooses to provide only one bottle of breastmilk per day, there are some tips that can help ensure she maintains her milk supply:
- Nurse baby frequently when together – Offer breast whenever baby is hungry
- Pump when apart – Pump every 2-3 hours if baby takes a bottle while away from mom
- Allow baby to self-regulate feeding – Follow baby’s cues rather than restricting length/frequency of nursing
- Ensure proper latch – Get help from a lactation consultant to optimize nursing sessions
- Stay hydrated and eat a balanced diet – Drink to thirst and consume 500 extra calories per day while breastfeeding
- Get plenty of rest – Take naps when possible and sleep at least 8 hours at night
Making milk supply a priority when only giving one bottle can help mom continue providing breastmilk as long as possible.
Conclusion
Babies under 6 months have an enormous need for breastmilk – typically consuming 25-35 oz daily. One bottle a day cannot realistically provide the nutrition, hydration, or health protection growing babies require. After starting solids, some babies may get by with one bottle of breastmilk. But moms should aim to meet infant feeding guidelines as closely as possible.
While giving only one bottle is not ideal nutrition for babies, in many situations it is unavoidable. Combining the bottle with formula or solids as needed can help bridge the gap. Taking steps to maximize milk supply also allows moms to get one bottle worth of breastmilk despite reduced nursing time. If one bottle ends up being all mom can manage, continuing to provide breastmilk in any amount still offers benefits.
Breastmilk packs a powerful nutritional punch that manufactured formula cannot replicate. When possible, prioritizing breastfeeding and providing at least the minimum 25 ounces daily in the early months offers babies the healthiest start in life. However, even one bottle containing precious breastmilk gives babies some of the nutrients they need to thrive.