Elena Tapia
Newborns are known for their insatiable appetites and erratic eating patterns, so it's perfectly normal for your baby to seem hungry all the time. In the early days, nursing sessions are part feeding and part stimulating milk production, and newborns need to eat at least every 2-3 hours. However, it's important to distinguish between genuine hunger and the appearance of hunger, as there are many reasons why parents might think their baby is hungry when they are not.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Newborn stomach capacity | 20ml |
| Newborn feeding frequency | Every 2-3 hours |
| Formula-fed newborn feeding amount | 3 ounces or less |
| Formula-fed newborn feeding frequency | Every two to three hours |
| Formula-fed newborn feeding amount (after growth) | 6 to 8 ounces |
| Formula-fed newborn feeding frequency (after growth) | Four or five times per day |
| Breastfed newborn feeding frequency | Every two to four hours |
| Cluster feeding frequency | Every one to two hours |
What You'll Learn
Interpreting hunger cues
Hunger cues can be tricky to interpret, especially in newborns, and it's common for parents to worry that their baby is constantly hungry. However, it's important to remember that babies have different hunger cues and feeding patterns, and what may be normal for one baby may not be for another. Here are some general hunger cues to look out for in newborns up to 5 months old:
- Putting hands to mouth
- Turning head towards the breast or bottle
- Puckering, smacking, or licking lips
- Rooting – turning their head side to side looking for the breast or bottle teat
- Opening and closing their mouth
- Increase in movement, becoming more active
- Sucking on their hand or fingers
It's also important to note that crying is often a late sign of hunger, so it's best to look out for other hunger cues and feed your baby before they get to the crying stage.
If your baby is displaying these hunger cues but doesn't seem interested in feeding, there may be other factors at play. For example, they may be tired, need a diaper change, or be experiencing discomfort due to wind, reflux, or an allergy. In these cases, it's important to address the underlying issue before offering another feed.
As your baby gets older, they will develop new signs for hunger and fullness, and you will become more familiar with their unique cues. By the time they are 6-8 weeks old, their feeding and sleeping patterns should become more predictable.
It's normal for babies to go through growth spurts, during which they will naturally need to eat more often and for longer periods. This is also when cluster feeding, or bunch feeding, commonly occurs, where your baby feeds several times over a few hours, usually in the evenings.
Additionally, it's important to remember that babies have a strong urge to suck, which is not always a sign of hunger. They may suck when they are tired, overstimulated, bored, or simply for comfort. This is known as non-nutritive sucking, and it is perfectly healthy as long as it isn't overtiring for the parent or causing discomfort. Offering a pacifier can help satisfy your baby's sucking needs without overfeeding them.
Remember, every baby is unique, and it's important to trust your instincts and follow your baby's lead when it comes to feeding. If you are ever concerned about your baby's feeding habits or weight gain, don't hesitate to consult a healthcare professional for advice.
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Cluster feeding
How to Know if Your Baby is Cluster Feeding
If your baby is having a lot of short feeds over a few hours, that's cluster feeding. It is especially common during the early days of breastfeeding and in the late afternoon or early evening.
What to Do if Your Baby is Cluster Feeding
If you are breastfeeding, stay hydrated and make sure to eat enough. Ask your partner to bring you drinks and snacks, and to help with other tasks such as cooking and changing diapers. If you are bottle feeding, try alternating feeding responsibilities with another caregiver.
When to Be Concerned
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Growth spurts
The most predictable growth spurts take place at the following ages:
- 3 weeks
- 6 weeks
- 3 months
- 6 months
Signs of a growth spurt
- Disrupted sleep patterns
- Clinginess or separation anxiety
- Increased frequency in feeding (cluster feeding)
- Increased fussiness
How to cope with growth spurts
- Provide additional meals to satisfy their appetite.
- Encourage regular bedtimes and positive sleeping habits.
- Be patient with their changing emotions.
- Eat and drink enough yourself to keep up your energy.
- Create a daily rhythm that works for you and your baby.
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Non-nutritive sucking
Babies will suck to feed and to comfort themselves. Some babies have a greater need for non-nutritive sucking than others. This can be done at the breast as long as it isn't overtiring or causing discomfort to the breastfeeding parent. Alternatively, you can give them a pacifier.
The need for non-nutritive sucking begins to decrease from the first year of a child's life as they start to talk, walk and eat more solid food. However, there is no fixed rule for this progression, as it depends on the child's physiological and emotional development.
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Sleeping problems
It is normal for newborns to seem like they're constantly hungry, especially during the early days when nursing sessions are part-feeding and part-stimulating milk production. However, frequent hunger could also be a sign of an underlying sleeping problem.
Sleep Association Problem
A sleep association problem is the most common reason for healthy babies to experience sleeping problems such as brief naps, frequent night awakenings, and irritability due to sleep deprivation. Feeding to sleep is especially common during the newborn period, and once a feeding-sleep association is established, the baby will act like it wants to feed whenever it wants to sleep because it has learned that "this is the way I go to sleep".
Misinterpreting Behavioural Cues
Hunger is one of the first things we suspect when a baby fusses, cries, or wants to suck. However, these could also be signs of tiredness, and infant tiredness cues are often overlooked or misinterpreted as hunger. Tired signs displayed by young babies include clenched fists, waving arm and leg movements, facial grimaces, fussing, grumbling, and then crying.
- Cluster feed: Embrace the beauty of cluster feeding, where your baby seems to want to eat all the time. Ride the wave, snuggle up on the couch with your favourite snacks and drinks, and binge-watch your favourite TV series while your little one fuels up for the night.
- Stock up on snacks: Nursing is hard work – for both you and your baby! Keep yourself fuelled with plenty of snacks and hydration to keep your energy levels up during those marathon feeding sessions.
- Take a break: If you’re feeling overwhelmed, ask your partner or a trusted family member to take over for a few minutes while you step outside for some fresh air or take a quick shower to recharge.
- Seek support: When in doubt, reach out! Whether it’s joining a local breastfeeding support group or connecting with fellow parents online, having a supportive community can make all the difference.
When to Seek Help
If your baby is fussing during feeds, it's important to try to get to the root cause. Reflux is when your baby is bringing up undigested milk and stomach acid, causing them pain and making feeding an unpleasant experience. If your baby isn’t spilling but you notice a lot of the fussy feeding symptoms, they may have silent reflux, where the milk and acid are coming up and causing pain but are swallowed back down.
If you’re concerned about your baby’s feeding or sleeping, don’t hesitate to seek support from a healthcare professional or lactation consultant.
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Frequently asked questions
Newborns are notorious for their insatiable appetites and erratic eating patterns. It is perfectly normal for newborns to seem like they're constantly hungry, especially during the early days when their nursing sessions are part-feeding and part-stimulating milk production.
Newborns need to eat at least every 2-3 hours. Babies can also cluster feeds together for a few hours, which may feel like your baby wants to nurse every 10 minutes for a stretch!
Signs that your baby is hungry can include rooting (turning their head side to side looking for the breast or bottle teat), opening and closing their mouth, an increase in movement, and sucking on their hand or fingers. Crying is often a late sign of hunger.
If your baby is still fussy and unsettled, check for signs of illness, such as a fever or stuffy nose. You can also try calming strategies such as adding or removing a clothing layer, giving them fresh air, reducing stimulation in their environment, taking them for a walk, or wearing them in a carrier or sling.
If you are concerned about your baby's weight gain, consult with a healthcare professional. They will be able to advise you on whether your baby is getting enough to eat and rule out any underlying health issues.
