Newborn Feeding Calculator (By Weight)
Calculate daily fluid and calorie requirements for term and preterm infants based on weight and age. Includes feeding frequency schedules and Holliday-Segar protocols.
About
Ensuring proper hydration and caloric intake in the first weeks of life is critical for renal function and growth. Newborns, particularly those with low birth weight or born preterm, have evolving fluid requirements that change daily as their kidneys mature. This calculator utilizes standard pediatric protocols to determine the total daily fluid volume (ml/day) required based on exact weight and postnatal age. It distinguishes between Term and Preterm infants, adjusting coefficients to account for the higher evaporative losses and metabolic needs of premature babies.
Fluid overload can lead to edema or patent ductus arteriosus complications, while dehydration risks hypernatremia. This tool provides a precise volume breakdown, dividing the total requirement into manageable feeding intervals (e.g., every 3 hours) to assist parents and clinicians in planning safe feeding schedules.
Formulas
The calculation relies on a stepwise escalation of fluid coefficients (C) relative to the infant's weight (W). The total daily volume (V) is derived as:
To determine the volume per feed (Vfeed) based on frequency (f):
For caloric intake, standard formula or breast milk is approximated at 20 kcal/oz (approx. 0.67 kcal/ml).
Reference Data
| Postnatal Age | Term Fluid Coeff (ml/kg) | Preterm Fluid Coeff (ml/kg) | Target Calories (kcal/kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 (0-24h) | 60 | 70 - 80 | 40 - 50 |
| Day 2 (24-48h) | 80 | 90 - 100 | 60 - 70 |
| Day 3 (48-72h) | 100 | 110 - 120 | 80 - 90 |
| Day 4 (72-96h) | 120 | 130 - 140 | 100 - 110 |
| Day 5+ | 150 | 150 - 170 | 110 - 120 |
| Week 2+ | 150 - 180 | 160 - 180 | 120+ |
| Month 1 | 150 | 160 | 110 |
| Month 2 | 140 | 150 | 110 |
| Month 3 | 130 | 140 | 105 |
| Month 6 | 120 | 130 | 100 |