Newborn Feeding Schedules: What to Expect

One of the most common questions new parents have is "How often should my baby eat?" The answer in the early weeks might feel overwhelming: a lot. Newborns have tiny stomachs and fast metabolisms, which means frequent feedings around the clock are completely normal.

Understanding what to expect helps you feel confident that your feeding approach—and your baby—are on track.

How Often Do Newborns Eat? AAP

The short answer: very frequently.

General guidelines:

• Breastfed babies: 8-12 times per 24 hours
• Formula-fed babies: 6-8 times per 24 hours
• Every 2-3 hours (from start of one feeding to start of next)
• Including through the night

Why so often?

• Newborn stomachs are tiny (marble-sized at birth!)
• Breast milk digests quickly
• Frequent feeding establishes milk supply
• Growth is extremely rapid

What "every 2-3 hours" means:

• From the START of one feeding to the START of the next
• If a feeding takes 30-40 minutes, you might only have 1.5-2 hours before the next one
• This is exhausting but normal
• It does get easier

Feeding on Demand vs. Scheduling AAP

In the newborn period, responsive feeding is recommended.

Feeding on demand (responsive feeding):

• Feed when baby shows hunger cues
• Don't watch the clock—watch the baby
• Trust baby to know when they're hungry
• Recommended by AAP, especially for breastfed babies

Why on-demand works:

• Establishes good milk supply
• Meets baby's actual needs (which vary)
• Supports healthy weight gain
• Builds feeding relationship

When schedules can help:

• Some babies are sleepy and need to be woken to eat
• Premature or small babies may need scheduled feedings
• As babies get older, natural patterns emerge
• Some formula-fed babies do well with gentle schedules after 1-2 months

Recognizing Hunger Cues AAP

Crying is a late hunger sign. Watch for earlier cues.

Early hunger cues:

• Stirring and stretching
• Bringing hands to mouth
• Rooting (turning head, opening mouth)
• Sucking motions or sounds
• Lip licking

Active hunger cues:

• Rooting more frantically
• Trying to suck on anything nearby
• Fussing
• Moving more

Late hunger cues (try not to wait this long):

• Crying
• Agitated body movements
• Turning red
• Harder to calm and latch

Feeding before crying helps:

• Calm babies latch and feed better
• Less stressful for baby and parent
• Prevents overfeeding from desperate hunger
• Makes feeding more pleasant

How Much Should Baby Eat? AAP

Amounts vary but here are general guidelines.

Breastfed babies:

• Stomach capacity: Day 1 = marble, Day 3 = ping pong ball, Day 10 = egg
• Don't measure—feed on demand and trust the process
• Watch for adequate wet/dirty diapers
• Monitor weight gain at pediatric visits

Formula-fed babies:

• Day 1-2: 1-2 oz per feeding
• Week 1: 2-3 oz per feeding
• Week 2-4: 3-4 oz per feeding
• Month 2+: 4-5 oz per feeding
• Total: approximately 2-2.5 oz per pound of body weight per day

Signs baby is getting enough:

• 6+ wet diapers per day (after day 4)
• 3-4+ dirty diapers per day in first month
• Steady weight gain (5-7 oz per week after first week)
• Alert and active when awake
• Seems satisfied after feedings

Night Feedings: The Reality AAP

Yes, newborns need to eat at night.

Why night feeding is necessary:

• Newborns can't go long stretches without eating
• Their stomachs are too small
• Blood sugar regulation requires regular feeding
• Prolactin (milk-making hormone) is higher at night

What to expect:

• Most newborns wake every 2-4 hours at night
• Some wake more frequently
• This is normal and necessary
• It does improve with time

Making night feedings easier:

• Keep lights dim
• Minimize stimulation
• Have supplies ready (diapers, burp cloth)
• Side-lying breastfeeding can help
• Take shifts with partner if possible
• Sleep when baby sleeps during day

The First Days: Establishing Feeding AAP

The first week has specific considerations.

Day 1:

• Colostrum is small in volume but highly concentrated
• Baby's stomach holds about 1 teaspoon
• Frequent feeding is normal and necessary
• Don't expect visible milk yet

Days 2-3:

• Baby may be very sleepy or very hungry
• Wake to feed if sleeping more than 3 hours
• Milk "coming in" may happen day 3-5
• Some weight loss is normal (up to 7-10%)

Days 4-7:

• Should see increased milk supply
• Baby should have more wet and dirty diapers
• Weight should stabilize and start to increase
• More predictable feeding patterns may emerge

Week 2 and beyond:

• Baby should be back to birth weight by day 10-14
• Feedings may become somewhat more predictable
• Still feeding 8-12 times per day
• Growth spurts may increase frequency temporarily

Growth Spurts and Cluster Feeding AAP

Be prepared for periods of more intense feeding.

What is cluster feeding?

• Periods of very frequent feeding
• Often in evening hours
• Feeds very close together
• Can last several hours

Common growth spurt times:

• 7-10 days
• 2-3 weeks
• 4-6 weeks
• 3 months
• 6 months

During growth spurts:

• Baby may seem insatiable
• Feed more frequently than usual
• May be fussier than usual
• Lasts 2-3 days typically

What NOT to do:

• Don't assume milk supply is low
• Don't supplement with formula (unless medically needed)
• Don't worry—this is normal
• Just feed through it—supply will adjust

Signs of Feeding Problems AAP

Watch for these concerns.

Contact your pediatrician if:

• Baby hasn't regained birth weight by 2 weeks
• Fewer than 6 wet diapers per day after day 4
• Very few dirty diapers after first week
• Baby seems lethargic or hard to wake
• Excessive weight loss (more than 7-10%)
• Feeding sessions are consistently very short or very long
• You're concerned something is wrong

Breastfeeding support:

• If breastfeeding is painful, seek help
• Lactation consultants can address latch issues
• Most breastfeeding problems can be solved
• Early intervention makes a difference

The Bottom Line

Newborn feeding is demanding—there's no way around it. Expect frequent feedings around the clock, feed on demand rather than watching the clock, and trust your baby to tell you when they're hungry. As weeks pass, patterns become more predictable, stretches between feedings lengthen, and you'll feel more confident in your feeding routine. AAP

Remember:

• 8-12 feedings per day is normal for breastfed newborns
• Feed on demand, following hunger cues
• Night feeding is necessary and temporary
• Growth spurts temporarily increase feeding frequency
• Watch diapers and weight gain to ensure adequacy

Clara is here when you have questions about feeding your newborn.