Congratulations on your new arrival! Whether this is your first or fifth baby, a newborn brings a lot of joy and excitement (and maybe some apprehension too). One of the things you might be wondering about is what kind of feeding schedule to expect. Here's a look at what you can expect in those first few weeks.
Newborns typically eat every two to three hours, or around eight to 12 times in a 24-hour period. Some babies may want to eat more frequently than this, while others may space their feedings out a bit more. It's important to follow your baby's cues and let them eat when they're hungry.
At each feeding, your newborn will likely consume between one and four ounces (30-120 milliliters) of formula or breast milk. If you're breastfeeding, it's tougher to gauge how much milk your baby is getting, but over time you'll get a feel for how much they typically eat. Keep in mind that your baby's tummy is very small, so they won't be able to consume large volumes of milk at each feeding.
We divided it in 3 different stages
Newborns typically eat every 2-3 hours around the clock in those first 2 weeks. Some babies may want to eat more frequently than this, while others may space their feedings out a bit more. It's important to follow your baby's cues and let them eat when they're hungry.
They usually don't need more than a few ounces at each feeding, so don't be surprised if your little one doesn't seem all that interested in eating just yet.
At each feeding, your newborn will likely consume between one and four ounces (30-120 milliliters) of formula or breast milk. If you're breastfeeding, it's tougher to gauge how much milk your baby is getting, but over time you'll get a feel for how much they typically eat. Keep in mind that your baby's tummy is very small, so they won't be able to consume large volumes of milk at each feeding.
Around 2-4 weeks, you'll start to see somewhat of a pattern emerge in your baby's eating habits. They'll still be eating frequently (every 2-3 hours), but you might find that they cluster their feedings more towards nighttime and morning, with longer stretches in between during the day. Pay attention to your baby's cues and let them lead the way.
At this point, most babies are sleeping for longer periods at night and may even have their first real "sleep through the night" experience (although this is different for every family). You'll still need to feed them every 2-3 hours during the day, but you might start to see them take larger volumes at each feeding as well. Every baby is different, so trust your gut and follow your baby's lead.
Signs That Your Newborn Is Hungry
There are several clues that your newborn is ready for another feeding:
- Sucking on their lips or fingers
- Fussing or crying
- Turning their head towards your breast or bottle
- Smacking their lips
- Opening their mouth wide
- Putting their tongue out
- Clenching their fists Bringing their hands up towards their face
- Pushing away from the chest or bottle
- Falling asleep at the breast or bottle
If you're not sure whether your baby is hungry, offer them a feeding. If they turn away from the food or milk after a few sucks, it's likely that they weren't actually hungry and were just exploring the new taste and sensation. On the other hand, if they start gulping down the food or milk, then it's clear that they were indeed hungry!
Wet diapers are also a good indicator. In addition to watch for hunger cues, you can also keep track of your newborn's wet diapers as an indicator of whether they're getting enough food. For the first five days after birth, it's normal for babies to have one wet diaper per day. From day six onward, most babies will have at least six wet diapers per day. If your baby isn't meeting these milestones, it could be a sign that they're not eating enough, and you should speak with a doctor or lactation consultant.
In conclusion, a newborn's feeding schedule can seem daunting at first, but it will quickly become second nature. In those first few weeks, expect to feed your little one every 2-3 hours around the clock, or around 8 to 12 times in a 24-hour period. On weeks 2-4, you'll start to see somewhat of a pattern emerge as they begin cluster feedings more towards nighttime and morning. And by 4-6 weeks, most babies are sleeping for longer periods at night. Follow your baby's cues and let them eat when they're hungry—they'll tell you when they're ready! Checking for hunger cues and tracking wet diapers are good ways to ensure that your newborn is getting enough food and drink. Every baby is different, though, so trust your gut and follow your baby's lead.
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