Demand feeding allows your baby to feed whenever they show signs of hunger. This method can help establish a natural rhythm and is especially beneficial for understanding feed times for newborns.
Infant feeding frequency
In the first few weeks you may need to breastfeed your baby every 2 to 3 hours. So over a 24 hour period, your baby will feed 8 to12 times in just one day. This may seem like you are breastfeeding all day, especially when you are still learning and each feed may take up to 60 minutes. Don’t despair though, as your baby grows their stomach size will too, allowing them to take more milk each feed and they will slowly extend out their requests to feed every 3 to 4 hours. Feed your baby as frequently and as long as they want to, even at night. As your baby becomes older and more mature this infant feeding frequency will decrease.
Demand feeding helps you know when enough is enough
Some parents are better at recognising signs of hunger than signs of fullness, yet they are both important. Missing cues that your baby has had enough may mean you continue to feed them even when they are full. This can result in digestive discomfort, even reflux. And overfeeding can also result in your baby gaining weight too quickly, or beyond their natural growth trajectory. A steady rate of growth is healthy for babies. If you are unsure of how much weight your baby should be gaining, talk to your health professional to make sure your little one is on track.
There may be occasions when you choose to feed your baby a bottle of expressed breast milk. The important thing to remember is to let your baby decide when they have finished. Just like with breastfeeds, when your little one feeds until they are satisfied, they will also decide when they are full when drinking from a bottle.
Encouraging your little one to finish a bottle or an older child to ‘clean their plate’ can both contribute to teaching children to eat beyond when they are full.
If you’re bottle-feeding your baby, it can be more difficult to recognise signs that they are full than when you’re breastfeeding. Pay close attention to whether your little one loses interest in drinking, moves their head away, or becomes calm and content.
Tracking how often a newborn feeds
For many parents, keeping a breast feeding schedule for newborns can seem daunting. However, it’s essential to remember that every baby is unique, and their infant feeding frequency may vary. Charts may be useful, however you may find to begin with it is usually easier to feed your baby on demand and forget anything about a breastfeeding schedule for your newborn. While you are learning, and your baby is too, you don’t want to put too much pressure on yourself to stick to a routine just yet, I’m sure that will come with time. Many full term, healthy babies know best when it comes to feeding, and they will tell you when they need to feed, how long they need to feed for, and how much they need to feed.
By following the principles of demand feeding, you can support your baby’s nutritional needs while also fostering a strong bond during feeding times. Seek help and advice from your support team whenever you need it.
Cluster feeding
You may notice your baby cluster feeding, in particular if they are very young or low birth weight as they will need to feed often. That means your baby feeds frequently at certain times and much less at others. Typically these episodes of cluster feeding take place in the late afternoon or early evening. This can sometimes also lead into a longer sleeping period. Cluster feeding does not indicate a lack of milk but is a common feeding pattern in young or low birth weight infants. It is hard to over feed a breastfed baby as they will tend to only feed if they are hungry.
Growth spurts
Babies may also feed more often if they are going through a growth spurt. It should not be confused with the cluster feeding of young or low birth weight infants. It can vary, but typically you can expect growth spurts when your baby is about two to three weeks, six weeks and three months. If you continue to feed on demand for a couple of days this phase will pass and the balance between supply and demand will be restored.
Always speak to your healthcare professional if you need advice or support through your infant feeding journey.
Frequently asked questions about how often a newborn feeds
How long should a newborn feed for?
While there is no need to time your newborn baby’s feeds, they can feed anywhere between 10-30 minutes at a time. This can vary between feeds throughout the day and from day to day.
How often do you feed a newborn?
How often a newborn feeds can vary based on the baby's hunger cues and whether they are breastfed or formula-fed, but typically newborns feed every 2 to 3 hours.
How often do newborns breastfeed?
Breastfed newborns can feed 8 to 12 times a day. Aim to feed our little one on demand, as this helps establish a good milk supply and meet their nutritional needs.
How much to breastfeed newborn?
It is impossible to tell how much a newborn feeds when breastfeeding directly from the breast. Learning to demand feed will reinforce your baby’s natural ability to stop when they are full.
How often should a 6 week old feed?
By 6 weeks, many babies may feed every 3 to 4 hours, but some may still prefer more frequent feedings. Again, it's crucial to follow the baby's hunger signals.
How long newborn should feed on each breast
Feeding times for newborns typically last for about 10 to 15 minutes on each breast. However, the duration can vary depending on the baby's appetite and efficiency at breastfeeding.
Sources:
- Raising Children Website. Accessed at Breastfeeding: how often & how long? | Raising Children Network
- Australian Breastfeeding Association Website. Accessed at Feeding patterns in the early months | Australian Breastfeeding Association
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Growth Charts for Infants
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