When teaching about bottle feeding a full-term newborn, which instruction is essential for the nurse to provide?

When teaching about bottle feeding a full-term newborn, it is essential to inform caregivers that six to eight feedings every 24 hours will adequately support the newborn's nutritional needs. Full-term infants typically require frequent feedings due to their small stomach capacity and rapid growth rate. This guideline ensures that they receive enough calories and hydration throughout the day.

The practice of feeding newborns this frequently allows for appropriate growth and development. Infants usually feed on demand, meaning they may show signs of hunger at varying intervals, but aiming for six to eight feedings aligns with general recommendations for newborn nutrition.

Other options do not prioritize the infant's natural feeding patterns or nutritional needs effectively. Feeding every hour may lead to unnecessary stress for both the baby and the caregiver, while strict adherence to feeding times can overlook a baby's hunger cues. Restricting formula to only nighttime feedings does not provide the necessary caloric intake throughout the entire day, which is crucial for a newborn's health and well-being.