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Nutrition of a newborn baby
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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.
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