NICU · Fluids
Neonatal Caloric Needs
Goal caloric intake at full feeds, plus a matching protein target. Preterm infants need more of both to support catch-up growth.
Weight
kg
Target within range
Low end
Total daily calories
—kcal/day
- Goal
- —
- Protein
- —
Reference targets, at full feeds
- Term — energy
- 100–120 kcal/kg/day
- Term — protein
- 2.0–3.0 g/kg/day
- Preterm — energy
- 110–130 kcal/kg/day (up to ~150 for catch-up growth)
- Preterm — protein
- 3.5–4.5 g/kg/day
- Advancing to goal
- Most units start trophic/full feeds well below goal and advance over 1–2 weeks, not on day 1
- Carbohydrate delivery
- See the Glucose Infusion Rate calculator for the parenteral dextrose side of this
Clinical decision support only. These are commonly cited goal ranges for infants tolerating full enteral or parenteral nutrition — not a starting point for day one. Actual targets depend on growth trajectory, corrected age, and your institution's nutrition protocol.
Reviewed by C. A. Leyva, MD, neonatologist · Last reviewed September 2026
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