How Often Should You Feed Your Newborn?

Feeding a newborn can be a daunting task, especially for new parents. It is important to remember that every baby is different and has unique needs. In general, newborns should be fed on demand, meaning whenever they show signs of hunger. This is usually every 2-3 hours, amounting to 8-12 feedings in 24 hours. The amount of formula given to the baby also depends on their hunger cues, ranging from 1-2 ounces in the first days of life to 2-3 ounces by the end of the first month. As the baby grows, the time between feedings will increase, and they will be able to consume more formula at each feeding.

Newborns should be fed on demand, not on a schedule

Newborns have tiny bellies and need to be fed frequently. In the first few days of life, newborns should be fed 1 to 2 ounces of formula every 2 to 3 hours. This is called "demand feeding" or "feeding on-demand". This means following the child's lead and looking for hunger cues, such as leaning towards the breast or a bottle, sucking on hands or fingers, opening their mouth, or crying. Crying is a late-stage hunger cue and a sign of distress, so it is important to respond to earlier hunger cues.

There are many benefits to feeding on-demand. Firstly, it ensures that the baby is getting enough to eat. Additionally, it promotes the essential bonding moments that occur between the baby and caregiver. It also allows the baby to guide the feeding and decide how slow, how often, and how much they eat. This is called "responsive feeding". By watching the baby's hunger and fullness cues, caregivers can learn about how much formula to offer and how frequently to feed. This is especially important during growth spurts, when babies need to eat more frequently to support their fast-paced growth.

As babies get older, their feeding schedule becomes more predictable, with longer times between feedings. By 2 months of age, formula-fed babies typically take around 4 to 5 ounces per bottle, with a total of 5 to 6 bottles per 24 hours. By 6 months of age, this increases to 6 to 8 ounces per bottle, with a total of 3 to 5 bottles per 24 hours. However, it is still important to follow the baby's hunger and fullness cues rather than a strict schedule to ensure they are getting enough to eat.

Breast milk is digested faster than formula

Breast milk is often referred to as the "perfect food" for a human baby's digestive system. Its components—lactose, protein (whey and casein), and fat—are easily digested by a newborn. As a group, breastfed infants have less difficulty with digestion than formula-fed infants.

Breast milk tends to be more easily and quickly digested, so breastfed babies have fewer bouts of diarrhea or constipation. This is because breast milk is a living substance made by each mother for her individual infant—a process that can't be duplicated in a factory.

Formula-fed babies usually need to eat less often than breastfed babies because formula is less digestible than breast milk.

How to tell if your baby is hungry

Babies can't talk, but they are very good at communicating their needs. While crying is a common hunger cue, it is usually a late sign of hunger. Here are some other signs that your baby is hungry:

• Sucking on their hands, fingers, or clothing
• Opening and closing their mouth
• Sticking out their tongue
• Smacking their lips
• Drooling more
• Turning their head towards the breast or bottle
• Making sucking motions with their mouth
• Clenching their hands into fists
• Staring at you and following you with their eyes
• Giving you a distressed look
• Making the sound "neh!"

Babies will also let you know when they are full. If your baby is full, they may:

• Release or push away the breast or bottle
• Close their mouth and not respond to encouragement to latch on or suck again
• Have open and relaxed hands (instead of clenched)
• Relax their body and go limp
• Look around and show interest in playing or other things
• Look content and maybe even smile
• Appear happily drowsy and ready to go back to sleep

When to Change Your Newborn's Feed Schedule

Every baby is different, and the amount they feed will depend on their needs. In the first few days of life, newborns will feed on 1-2 ounces of infant formula every 2-3 hours. As your baby grows, their stomach will grow too, and they will be able to drink more at each feed and for longer periods.

If your baby is only formula-fed, they will likely feed 8-12 times in 24 hours. If your baby is breastfed, they will probably nurse 8-12 times a day for the first month, and 7-9 times a day when they are 4-8 weeks old.

How much formula your baby needs

The amount of formula your baby needs depends on their age, weight, and hunger cues. In their first few days, offer your newborn 1-2 ounces of formula every 2-3 hours. Initially, newborns may only take half an ounce of formula at a time. After the first few days, give your newborn 2-3 ounces of formula every 3-4 hours.

During the first 4-6 months, when your baby isn't eating solid foods, a good rule of thumb is to offer 2.5 ounces of formula per pound of body weight every 24 hours, with a maximum of about 32 ounces.

• 2 ounces per bottle every 3-4 hours
• 3-4 ounces per bottle every 3-4 hours
• 4-5 ounces per bottle every 3-4 hours
• 4-6 ounces per bottle every 3-4 hours
• 4-6 ounces per bottle, 4-6 times a day
• 4-6 ounces per bottle, 4-6 times a day
• 6-8 ounces per bottle, 4-5 times a day
• 6-8 ounces per bottle, 3-5 times a day

From 8 months old until their first birthday, you can expect your baby to have 7-8 ounces per bottle, 3-4 times a day. As your baby gets older, they will drink fewer bottles a day with more formula in each. It is important not to overfeed your baby so that they stay at a healthy weight. Your baby shouldn't have more than 32 ounces of formula in 24 hours.

Babies are usually good at eating the right amount for their needs, but bottle-fed babies can sometimes drink too much. Signs that your baby is getting too much formula include vomiting after a feed (spitting up is normal) or tummy pain after a feed. If your baby draws up their legs or their tummy seems tense, they may be in pain.

How often to feed your baby

Newborn to 2 weeks old

In the first two weeks, it's common for babies to engage in cluster feeding, which means they might nurse frequently and take in small amounts of milk each time. This can even happen during the night, with feedings occurring every two hours. Some caregivers choose to feed their baby whenever they show signs of hunger (feeding on demand), while others may wake the baby at regular intervals to ensure they're getting enough nourishment.

The recommended feeding schedule for a newborn is usually every 2 to 3 hours. That means you'll be feeding your baby about 8 to 12 times a day. Your baby won’t figure out this whole "sleeping through the night" thing until they’re older, so those nighttime feedings are totally normal.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), cluster feeds and frequent feedings can actually boost the health of your infant. During cluster feeding, babies tend to consume larger quantities of milk and do so more frequently, especially during the evening hours.

The AAP recommends feeding your newborn baby on demand. This means feeding your baby when you see signs of hunger, such as:

• Fists moving to mouth
• Head turning to look for the breast
• Becoming more alert and active
• Sucking on hands or lip smacking
• Opening and closing the mouth

The majority of newborns feed every 2 to 3 hours, amounting to a total of 8 to 12 feedings within a 24-hour period. Initially, infants might consume as little as half an ounce per feeding during the first day or two after birth. After this initial period, they typically consume 1 to 2 ounces of milk at each feeding (both formula and breastfed infants). By the time they reach 2 weeks of age, the quantity usually increases to 2 to 3 ounces per feeding.

Newborn to 2 months old

In the first days after your baby is born, they may want only a half-ounce of milk or formula at each feeding. This will quickly increase to 1 or 2 ounces. By the time they’re 2 weeks old, they should drink about 2 or 3 ounces per feeding.

2-4 months old

At this age, your baby should drink about 4 to 5 ounces per feeding.

4-6 months old

At 4 months, your baby should drink about 4 to 6 ounces per feeding. By the time your baby is 6 months old, they’ll probably drink up to 8 ounces each time you feed them.

6-12 months old

Continue feeding your baby when they show signs of hunger. Most 6 to 12-month-olds will need infant formula or solid foods about 5 to 6 times in 24 hours.

As your baby gradually eats more solid foods, they will gradually need less infant formula. When your toddler is 12 months old, you can switch from infant formula to plain, pasteurized whole cow's milk or fortified unsweetened soy beverage. You can do this gradually. You may want to start by replacing one infant formula feeding with cow's milk to help your child transition.

General guidelines

Every baby is different. How much and how often your baby feeds will depend on their needs. It also depends on whether your baby is drinking breast milk or formula, since they digest breast milk more quickly.

If you're breastfeeding, your newborn will probably want to nurse every 1.5 to 3 hours. As they get older, they’ll slowly start to nurse less often and fall into a more predictable pattern.

Newborns should nurse eight to 12 times a day for the first month. When your child gets to be 4 to 8 weeks old, they’ll probably start nursing seven to nine times a day.

If they’re drinking formula, your baby will probably want a bottle every 2 to 3 hours at first. As your child grows, they should be able to go 3 to 4 hours without eating.

According to La Leche League International, you should begin nursing your baby within 1 hour of birth and provide about 8–12 feedings daily in the first few weeks of life.

At first, it’s important not to let your baby go more than 4 hours without feeding. You’ll likely need to wake them up if necessary, at least until nursing is well established and they’re gaining weight appropriately.

As your baby grows and your milk supply increases, your baby will be able to take in more milk in less time during one feeding. That’s when you might start to notice a more predictable pattern.

Tips for feeding your baby

• Do not give liquids other than formula or breast milk to babies under 1 year old. Juices and cow’s milk don’t provide the nutrients babies need and can upset your baby’s tummy. Water can be introduced around 6 months, when you start offering a cup.
• Do not add baby cereal to a bottle. It can create a choking hazard.
• Do not give your baby any form of honey until after their first birthday. Honey can be dangerous for a baby, occasionally causing what’s called infant botulism.
• Do adjust your expectations based on your baby and their unique needs. Premature babies are likely to follow feeding patterns according to their adjusted age. If your baby has challenges like reflux or failure to thrive, you may need to work with a pediatrician on the appropriate feeding schedule and the amount your baby should be eating.

Frequently asked questions