MeiYah | Miah Laborte

How Often Should You Feed Your Baby?

October 11, 2008

Tags: Babies, Baby, breast feeding, feeding, Feeding a Baby, Guide to your Baby's Health, The Safety 1st Guide to your Baby's Health
Posted in: Guides, Tips

It may take a few weeks to get your baby on a “feeding schedule”. Most pediatricians will tell you to feed your new born as often as they demand it, usually every 2-3 hours day and night. Breast-fed babies may require more frequent feedings as breast milk is easier to digest than formula, therefore the baby will feel hungry more often. After about 6-8 weeks, this may change to every 4-5 hours.

Don’t rush babies through feeding. They will let you know when they had enough. If you are feeding from the bottle, babies may stop drinking because they are uncomfortable from a bubble of air that has formed in the stomach. By gently rubbing or patting the back while they are in an upright position, you will help baby release some of the air that they take in while feeding. Then baby will be able to continue drinking until they are full. Burp the baby again at the end of the feeding to insure that no more air bubbles have formed.

If you are breast feeding, they will not be getting a lot of air. Let the baby nurse on one breast for about ten minutes. Then, take a little burping break and try offering the baby the other breast. Alternate the breast you start with at each feeding.

[Source: The Safety 1st Guide to Your Baby's Health]