
Newborns should be fed whenever they seem hungry, which is known as on-demand feeding. In the first month, newborn babies should be breastfed 8–12 times per day, or roughly every 1.5 to 3 hours. This is because breast milk is easily digested, so newborns are hungry more often. After the first few days of life, most healthy formula-fed newborns feed about every 2–3 hours. As they grow, they will feed less often and may settle into a more predictable schedule.
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How often to feed a newborn | Newborns should be fed whenever they seem hungry, this is called on-demand feeding. In the first month, newborns should be breastfed 8–12 times per day. After the first few days of life, most healthy newborns feed about every 2–3 hours. As they get bigger, they usually eat about every 3–4 hours. |
How much to feed a newborn | In the first few weeks, give 2- to 3-ounce (60- to 90-milliliter) bottles to your newborn. Give more or less depending on your baby’s hunger cues. On average, a newborn drinks about 1.5–3 ounces (45–90 milliliters) every 2–3 hours. This amount increases as your baby grows and can take more at each feeding. |
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Newborns should be fed on demand
Newborns have small stomachs and are unable to consume large amounts of food. They should be fed whenever they seem hungry, which is known as on-demand feeding. This is one of the most important things to do, rather than giving them a specific amount or sticking to a schedule.
On-demand feeding helps to stimulate milk production during the first few weeks. Newborns should not go more than about four hours without feeding, even overnight. In the first month, newborns should breastfeed 8–12 times per day as breast milk is easily digested, and they get hungry often. This feeding pattern translates to feeding about every 1.5 to 3 hours. As newborns get older, they will nurse less often and may settle into a more predictable schedule.
Babies exhibit various hunger cues, including moving their heads from side to side, opening their mouths, sticking out their tongues, and placing their hands, fingers, and fists in their mouths. They may also pucker their lips as if to suck, nuzzle against their mother's breasts, or exhibit the rooting reflex, where they move their mouths in the direction of something touching their cheek. It is important to feed babies before they get upset and cry, as crying is a late sign of hunger.
In the first few weeks, newborns will take 2- to 3-ounce (60- to 90-millilitre) bottles and this amount can be adjusted based on their hunger cues. On average, a newborn drinks about 1.5–3 ounces (45–90 millilitres) every 2–3 hours, and this amount increases as they grow. By the time they are two months old, they may drink about 4–5 ounces (120–150 millilitres) every 3–4 hours.
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How to tell if your baby is hungry
Newborns should be fed on demand, meaning whenever they seem hungry. In the first few weeks of life, this is usually every 1.5 to 3 hours, increasing to every 2 to 3 hours after the first few days. As newborns get older, they will nurse less often and may settle into a more predictable feeding schedule.
- Moving their head from side to side
- Opening their mouth
- Sticking out their tongue
- Placing their hands, fingers, or fists in their mouth
- Puckering their lips as if to suck
- Nuzzling against the mother's breasts
- Showing the rooting reflex (moving their mouth in the direction of something that's stroking or touching their cheek)
- Sucking on their hands or fists
It is important to feed your baby before they get upset and cry, as crying is a late sign of hunger. However, it is also important to remember that your baby may cry for reasons other than hunger, such as being sick, tired, too hot or cold, in pain, or having colic.
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How much formula to feed a newborn
Newborns should be fed whenever they seem hungry, which is known as on-demand feeding. This is about every 1.5 to 3 hours, or 8 to 12 times per day, in the first month. As they get older, they will feed less often and may settle into a more predictable schedule.
In the first week, a formula-fed newborn will take about 1 to 2 ounces per feed, increasing to 2 to 3 ounces per feed in the second week. By the end of the first month, they will likely be taking 3 to 4 ounces at each feeding.
As a general rule, you should aim to feed your baby 2.5 ounces of formula per pound of body weight daily. However, it is important to respond to your baby's hunger and fullness cues rather than strictly adhering to a specific amount or schedule. Watch for signs that your baby is hungry or full, and let them stop eating when they are full. A baby who is full may suck with less enthusiasm, stop, or turn away from the bottle.
- At 2 months, your baby may drink about 4 to 5 ounces every 3 to 4 hours.
- At 4 months, your baby may drink about 4 to 6 ounces at each feeding, depending on how often they eat.
- By 6 months, your baby may drink 6 to 8 ounces about 4 to 5 times a day.
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How often to feed a newborn
Newborns should be fed on demand, which is typically every 1.5 to 3 hours. This is because breast milk is easily digested, so newborns are hungry more often. In the first month, newborns should breastfeed 8-12 times per day, and this will reduce to 7-9 times a day by the time they are 1-2 months old.
Formula-fed newborns will take 1-2 ounces per feeding in the first week, increasing to 3-4 ounces at each feeding by the end of the first month. Formula-fed infants tend to eat every 3-4 hours and are more likely to be on a predictable feeding schedule than nursing infants.
Babies should be fed before they get upset and cry, as crying is a late sign of hunger. However, it's important to remember that every time a baby cries, it is not necessarily due to hunger. They may be sick, tired, too hot or cold, in pain, or have colic.
As babies get older, they will settle into a more predictable feeding routine and will go longer stretches at night without needing a bottle.
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How long each feed should take
The duration of each feed for your newborn will vary depending on several factors, including their age, appetite, and weight, and whether they are being breastfed or formula-fed. Here is a detailed guide on how long each feed should take for newborns:
Breastfeeding Duration:
Breastfeeding duration can vary depending on various factors, such as milk supply, let-down reflex, milk flow speed, latch quality, and the baby's state of alertness. On average, newborns may nurse for up to 20 minutes or longer on one or both breasts during the first few weeks. As they get older and more skilled at breastfeeding, they may take about 5–10 minutes on each side. It is important to feed newborns whenever they seem hungry, which is called "on-demand" feeding.
Formula Feeding Duration:
The feeding duration for formula-fed newborns may differ from breastfeeding. In the first week, formula-fed newborns typically consume 1 to 2 ounces per feeding, gradually increasing to 3 to 4 ounces per feeding by the end of the first month. They tend to eat every three to four hours and may settle into a more predictable feeding schedule. However, it is still important to respond to their hunger cues and let them stop when they are full.
Frequency of Feeding:
Newborns should be fed frequently, with breastfeeding recommended 8–12 times per day during the first month. As they approach 1–2 months of age, this may reduce to 7–9 times a day. Newborns should not go more than about four hours without feeding, even overnight. By the time they are 2 months old, they may feed every 3–4 hours, and this frequency will gradually decrease as they get older and their stomachs can hold more milk.
Remember, these are general guidelines, and each baby's feeding needs may vary. Always consult your paediatrician or healthcare provider for specific advice and to address any concerns or questions you may have about your baby's feeding habits and overall development.
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