Artificial Feeding

Question 1

What are the daily food requirements for newborn infants?

Answer 1

Day 1- 60 ml/kg 
Day 2- 75 ml/kg
Day 3- 100 ml/kg 
Day 4- 125 ml/kg 
Day 5- 150 ml/kg 

Preterm infants may require up to 180 ml/kg. Term infants continue with 150 ml/kg

Question 2

What is the difference between complementary and supplementary formula feeds?

Answer 2

Complementary feed of formula is given after a breastfeed while supplementary formula feelings completely replace breastfeeds

Question 3

What are the daily energy requirements for preterm and term infants

Answer 3

Preterm: 130-150 kcal/kg/24 hours
Term: 100- 120 kcal/kg/24 hours

Question 4

How are multivitamin drops administered?

Answer 4

0.6 ml multivitamin drops are started daily when full volume feeds are reached and are continued to 6 months when solids are introduced.

Question 5

What is the dosage of iron for preterm infants?

Answer 5

0.3 ml daily from one month until discharge from hospital and 0.6ml daily to 6 months

Question 6

What are the daily requirements of vitamins A, D, C and K as well as fluoride

Answer 6

Vitamin A: 1500- 3000u/day 
C: 25-50 mg/day
D: 400 u/day 
K1: 1 mg at birth 
Fluoride: 0.25 mg/day

Question 7

What important precautions do you have to take when introducing solids to infants with a strong family history of allergy in the family?

Answer 7

• avoid cow’s milk for at least 6 months
• delay introduction of solids until 6 months
• no citrus, eggs or cheese before 9-12 months
• only wheat-free cereals