International Board of Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) Practice Exam

What is the average stomach capacity of a newborn in the first 24 hours?

1. 5 ml

2. 10 ml

3. 7 ml

4. 15 ml

The correct answer is: 7 ml

The average stomach capacity of a newborn in the first 24 hours is approximately 7 ml. This measurement reflects the fact that a newborn's digestive system is still adapting to feeding after birth, and they have relatively small stomachs that can only hold a limited volume. At birth, the newborn's stomach can comfortably accommodate around 5-10 ml, but typically, it is estimated to be around 7 ml when considering the average. This capacity gradually increases over the first few days of life as the baby feeds more frequently and the digestive system matures to handle larger amounts of milk. Understanding stomach capacity in newborns is crucial for lactation consultants and healthcare providers because it guides feeding practices. Accurate knowledge of these capacities helps professionals to instruct new parents on feeding intervals and volumes, ensuring that newborns receive adequate nutrition without overfeeding, which could lead to discomfort.