Newborn feeding Guide
Are you feeling completely overwhelmed by your newborn’s feeding schedule? Is your brain buzzing with a million and one questions about when to feed? How to feed? How much? How long should it take? Etc…This is so normal. So many moms, first time moms and even seasoned moms feel this way when it comes to their newborn’s feedings.
Newborn feedings can feel like a mystery and often leave us scratching our heads. I’ve broken it down for you in this post and answered some of the most popular newborn feeding questions so can scratch your head no further.
How long should it take my newborn to feed?
The times/numbers mentioned below are approximate numbers it’s important to remember that every baby is different. Give or take 5-10 minutes is normal for each feeding, as some babies are more efficient feeders/suckers than others.
It’s equally important to know that some infants may have medical conditions (a tongue or lip tie or reflux for example) that would naturally affect the duration of the feeding and the feeding process in general. So always consult with your pediatrician if your infant is struggling to feed properly.
First 2 weeks:
Up to 45 minutes per feeding2-4 weeks:
Up to 30 minutes per feeding4-8 weeks
Up to 25 minutes per feeding2-4 months
Up to 20 minutes per feeding
How much should my baby be eating?
First off, typically babies need about 24-32 ounces of milk a day for the first year of life. There is a range for this because not all babies will eat the exact recommended amount of milk for their age and some will. So speak to your pediatrician if you are worried about how much milk your infant is taking in.
If your baby finishes the bottle, always add 1-2 more ounces. The trick is that you want them leaving over a tiny drop in the bottle, as this is a great indication that your baby has had enough to eat. Babies have an amazing ability to self regulate their calorie intake, so don’t worry about overfeeding; he will stop when he is full!
Here is approximately how much your newborn should be eating in a 24/hour period week to week:
0-2 weeks: 7-8 feedings a day 2-3 ounces per feeding.
2-4 weeks: 7-8 feedings a day 3-4 ounces per feeding.
4-8 weeks: 6-7 feedings a day 4-5 ounces per feeding.
2-4 months: 5-6 feedings a day 5-7 ounces per feeding.
4-6 months: 4-5 feedings a day 6-8 ounces per feeding.
The bottle nipple keeps collapsing, what do I do?
The infamous bottle-nipple collapse! It’s normal, but you wanna make sure you take care of it asap because if your baby’s bottle Is collapsing at every feeding, he’s likely not feeding very well and probably sucking really hard and not getting anything out.
It’s always a mystery, to say the least, but there are a few reasons why the bottle collapses/flattens, so if it does, don’t fret, use the tips below to find a solution to fix the problem.
Here are 4 reasons why the bottle nipple keeps collapsing and what you can do to prevent it:Your baby has outgrown the current nipple size and needs a faster flow.
So go out and get the next size up, even if they aren’t yet the recommended age for the next size nipple. Some babies are super sufficient suckers and this can cause nipple collapse.You’ve screwed the cap on too tightly.
Do not over tighten the bottle cap because it prevents proper venting and leads to nipple collapse.Then nipple texture/material is too soft for your baby.
Some brands on the market have a super soft nipple texture. If the texture of the nipple your baby is using is soft and squishy and your baby smashes the during feeding, this can cause nipple collapse and you may need to find a different brand with a firmer texture nipple.The air vent is clogged with milk causing a collapse.
Is the vent clogged with milk residues or anything else? If so, gently use a nipple cleaning brush to clean the residues of the vent area. Be careful not to pierce the vent area, as widening may lead to milk leakage. Has this happened to you? What did you do to mend the issue?
How do I know if my baby has had enough to eat?
This is such a common question I get from parents! They are often concerned that their babies aren’t getting enough, or rather, they aren’t sure what to look for to determine if their baby has had enough to eat.
So here are the most common signs to look for to determine if your baby is full after a feeding:
1. Baby is turning his head away, showing you when he is done.
2. He starts spitting out milk or simply unlatching from breast or bottle
3. He is happy, calm, content or playful after a feeding. He isn’t crying, rooting or searching for more food (whether breast or bottle).
4. The sucking starts slowing down and he is not sucking as vigorously anymore.
5. He may leave a drop of milk in the bottle showing he is full and doesn’t need anymore.
6. He sleeps well and has good quality awake time.
You will know when your baby still wants more and hasn’t had enough. He will be crying and rooting, and he won’t be very happy if you set him down or try to put him to sleep.
A full, satiated baby will be happy, content and calm after a feed. So pay attention to your baby when he feeds and what his body language and behavior is telling you when he’s done. You will learn to tell the difference between a baby who had enough to eat and a baby who did not. Read the full article on feedings here.
It’s important to remember that these feeding times are a guide with an approximate range. Your baby may take a few minutes longer or shorter per feeding and that's ok.
Feeding tips:
Try these things If your newborn takes longer than 45 minutes-1 hour to breastfeed or bottle-feed:
Wake them up. Tickle their feet, rub their back, undress them.
Make sure they are actually hungry and due for a feeding.
For bottle-feeders, check the nipple size to see that it's not too slow- size up if necessary!
Try a distraction, like walking around the room or going outside.
Put a cold wash cloth on their forehead To wake them up.
keep the light on with the sound machine off during feedings.
Did you know…
Nighttime feedings are essential for newborns for a variety of reasons that I will list below.
Many people ask me why newborns have to eat at night and how often they have to feed in the middle of the night. The answer to this question varies from baby to baby. It depends on their weight, how much weight they’ve lost after birth, how well they’re gaining and eating, etc…
Generally speaking, newborns can go 4-5 hours at night (sometimes more) without a feeding, but they typically create a pattern of waking every 2-3 hours or so in the very beginning and there’s a good reason for this!
It’s important to know that newborns need to feed in the middle of the night, especially in the early weeks. Once your newborn establishes a pattern of weight gain (approx 1/2 a pound a week) and reaches/regains their birth-weight, it's generally OK to wait for your newborn to wake up for a feeding, unless your physician advises otherwise.
Here are a few reasons why it’s important for newborns to eat at night:
Night feeding promotes weight gain and is essential for growth and development.
Newborns have a mechanism of waking to alert you when they’re hungry or if something is wrong or they’re uncomfortable.
Some even suggest that it can act as a protective mechanism against SIDS, as frequent waking arouses the brain regularly which can be protective against sids (more on this later)
Night feeding helps mom create a good breastfeeding routine and increases supply
And there you have it, I hope this feeding guide has given you enough information to help you navigate those feedings for your little one.
