Newborn Feeding Schedule

The feeding schedule for newborn babies can difficult to determine in the beginning. In the first two weeks, the average frequency of breastfeeding is 8 to 12 times a day; each feeding may take 10 to 15 minutes. Establishing a newborn feeding schedule with formula is more straightforward: Feedings will start out small but frequent (around every three to four hours).

The Newborn Feeding Schedule Explained

The stomach of a newborn is roughly the size of a small marble. This means that in the beginning, babies need just a little to fill them up. As your baby grows, so does his ability to take in more food. By the end of the first week, a baby might be able to take in 10 times the amount of food that he did just seven days before.
 
Once you have decided what you are going to be feeding your newborn, the next questions are how much and how often to feed your baby to start her off on the right foot.
 
The answers to these questions depend in part on:
 
  • The age of your newborn
  • Your baby's height and weight
  • The time of day
  • The amount of time since the last feeding
  • The volume of the last feeding
  • Whether he is going through a growth spurt.
     
Keep in mind that every baby is different. Feeding is individual, and the schedule should be adjusted to meet your infant's needs. Watch your baby's hunger cues closely to learn his individual needs and to feed him accordingly. This is the best gauge to determine when and how much to feed your baby.
 
(Newborn Feeding Schedule Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
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