How often new parents should feed their baby
As a parent, one of the most important things you’ll do is to feed your baby. Understanding how often to feed your baby can be challenging, especially in the early days and weeks. However, it is important to know that babies have small stomachs and need to be fed frequently.
Also read about when to tell that your baby is hungry.
Newborns typically need to be fed every 2-3 hours. This means that if you’re breastfeeding, you’ll be feeding your baby on demand, which can be as often as every hour. If you’re formula feeding, you’ll need to follow the instructions on the formula package, which will give you an idea of how much to feed your baby and how often.
As your baby grows, they’ll start to eat more at each feeding and will begin to sleep for longer stretches at night. By around 6-8 weeks of age, most babies will be able to go 3-4 hours between feedings, and by 3-4 months, they’ll be able to go 4-5 hours between feedings.
It’s important to remember that every baby is different and that the timing of feedings may vary. Some babies may be ready to eat every 3 hours while others may be ready to eat every 4 hours. Pay attention to your baby’s hunger cues, such as rooting, crying, or putting their hands to their mouth, and feed them when they seem hungry.
Monitor their weight to determine how often you should feed your baby
During the first few months, it’s also important to monitor your baby’s weight gain and growth. Your pediatrician will check your baby’s weight and length at each visit and will be able to tell you if they’re getting enough to eat.
For breastfeeding mothers, it’s important to note that the frequency of feedings may decrease as your baby gets older, but the duration of each feeding may increase. This is normal and it’s important to let your baby nurse for as long as they want on each side. It can be challenging to determine how often parents should feed their baby
In summary, newborns typically need to be fed every 2-3 hours, but as they grow, the timing between feedings will increase. It’s important to pay attention to your baby’s hunger cues and to monitor their weight gain and growth. Every baby is different and the frequency of feedings may vary, but consulting with your pediatrician can help to ensure that your baby is getting the proper nutrition they need.
