When babies are new, they are hungry. Fortunately, they’re able to let you know, with a number of different signs, just how hungry they are. But until you and your baby get into a rhythm for feedings, get comfortable knowing those signs of hunger, and have a better sense of what to expect, it’s important to understand with some more specificity just how often Baby will likely be feeding.
Newborns
Your little one is tiny, as is their tummy. Babies digest breast milk easily, so after an infant feeds, they’ll be hungry again pretty soon.
For about the first month of their life, newborns should breastfeed at least 8 times in 24 hours, and often it’s more frequently. Newborns usually don’t go too long between feedings because it easily becomes a struggle to feed frequently enough when there are long breaks. At night they may have one 4-6 hour stretch of sleep after regaining their birthweight.
These feedings should be “on cue” and responsive, meaning that you should feed your child whenever they appear hungry, and respond to their needs with warmth and attention. Again, your baby will thankfully show you a lot of clear signs that they’re hungry to help you know when to feed them! This may mean that sometimes you’re feeding Baby every hour, often called cluster feeding. As nice as a predictable schedule would be, that just isn’t how most newborns feed and behave.
And all these frequent nursings help stimulate milk production, so your little one will have all they need to eat.
Later on in infancy
As Baby grows, they may go longer between feedings. But this isn’t always the case. Some babies remain frequent feeders, and this can be a struggle. This is especially true if you’re told that Baby “should” be able to go longer between feeds. Rest assured you are not alone if you are feeding your baby frequently. It’s important to remember that every nursing duo is different, so feeding on cue is always going to help you give your baby and your body what they need!
Once your baby is about 2-3 months old, there may be some differences! At this point you might also have a sense of your baby’s feeding personality — maybe they’re often sleepy and mellow or eager and active. Their feedings could even feel like they’re falling into somewhat of a pattern or routine.
That being said, Baby’s feedings might fluctuate a bit over the course of the day. You might notice some feedings are long, while others are short. Or there might be shifts when your child goes through a growth spurt or has a strenuous or sick day and wants to feed less (or more). Cluster feeding will also still appear during this age range. All of this is normal.
6-12 months old and onward
At six months old many babies are ready to start sampling solid food at one meal a day. At 8-9 months, they’ll ramp up to 3 solid meals per day. Still, you should continue to prioritize breastmilk as their main source of nutrition. Most babies don’t digest very much when they first start solids, and it takes time to learn to chew and eat! So if your little one isn’t showing much interest in continuing to nurse or take a bottle, try nursing or bottle feeding when your kiddo is hungry, and then follow up with solids. As they approach their first birthday, you may see less milk intake if they are eating solids well.
But how can you be sure you’re feeding your child the right amount?
If your baby is showing signs of fullness, is gaining weight, and having regular pees and poops, you can rest assured that they’re eating enough. All babies are different, but over time you’ll become more confident in knowing when your baby is satisfied and happy. If you have any questions about whether or not your child is getting enough breast milk, you can ask their healthcare provider for guidance. You can also reach out to a board certified lactation consultant to answer your breastfeeding questions and concerns. They can help if you’re finding nursing challenging, if you’re wondering what sort of breast discomfort is normal, or if you want reassurance that things are going well. Fortunately, there’s a lot of help available to you along the way as you become more comfortable nursing your little one.
Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team
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Sources
- Amy Brown. “Importance of Responsive Feeding.” Kelly Mom. KellyMom.com, January 13 2018. Retrieved July 14 2020. https://kellymom.com/ages/newborn/bf-basics/importance-responsive-feeding
- Kelly Bonyata. “Breastfeeding your newborn — what to expect in the early weeks.” Kelly Mom. KellyMom.com, January 13 2018. Retrieved July 14 2020. https://kellymom.com/hot-topics/newborn-nursing/.
- Kristen Littleton and Jamila H. Richardson. “Breastfeeding FAQs: How Much and How Often.” Kids Health from Nemours. The Nemours Foundation, November 2019. Retrieved July 14 2020. https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/breastfeed-often.html.
- “Frequency of Feedings.” La Leche League International. La Leche League International. Retrieved July 13 2020. https://www.llli.org/breastfeeding-info/frequency-feeding-frequently-asked-questions-faqs/.
- “How Much and How Often to Breastfeed.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, December 3 2018. Retrieved July 13 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/infantandtoddlernutrition/breastfeeding/how-much-and-how-often.html
- “How Often To Breastfeed.” healthychildren.org. American Academy of Pediatrics, November 21 2015. Retrieved July 14 2020. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/breastfeeding/Pages/How-Often-to-Breastfeed.aspx.
- “Is Your Baby Hungry or Full? Responsive Feeding Explained.” healthychildren.org. American Academy of Pediatrics, September 1 2017. Retrieved July 13 2020. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/feeding-nutrition/Pages/Is-Your-Baby-Hungry-or-Full-Responsive-Feeding-Explained.aspx.
