Newborn Baby Feeding Schedule - information for new mothers

This page gives mothers a newborn baby feeding schedule whether breast-feeding or formula feeding for babies up to 6 months of age.

To read about the feeding schedule for babies aged between 6 months and 12 months, click here.

How Do I Know My Breast-fed Baby is Getting Enough Milk

Look for signs of effective milk transfer to your baby.

Is he latched on properly?
Does he have a good suck pattern?
Can you hear swallowing?
Is your breast becoming softer as he feeds?
Are his stools (poop, poo) appropriate for his age? See Baby Poop for what is normal.

If you answered yes to the above questions, it is likely your baby is getting enough milk.

What can I do if my breast-fed baby is not getting enough milk?

Have lots of skin-to-skin contact
Try Switch Nursing - feed on one side until your baby stops effective sucking.
Wake him up and then feed on the other side. Stop when he stops effective sucking and change sides again
Ask for help from a professional - Love Your Baby has helpful information for breast-feeding mothers.

When should my baby regain his birth weight?

All babies lose weight after birth but by Day 5 they normally stop losing weight. Babies can lose up to 7 % of their birth weight. They usually regain their birth weight by Day 10.

What should the baby feeding schedule be?

Feed your baby when he wants to be fed. Babies need to set their own schedule. They don't have the stores of energy that older children have so can't wait for food when they are hungry.

If you want your baby to sleep longer between feeds, make sure he has a longer feed before he sleeps so he can last longer before the next feed.

The baby feeding schedule is determined by your baby not you!!

What is normal for a newborn who is feeding from a bottle?

After the first week, a baby will be having 150 milliliters per kilogram weight per day in milk (150 ml/kg/day) so a 3 kg baby will be having about 75 mls (2.5 ounces) every feed if he is feeding 4 hourly (so having 6 feeds per day).

For the first few days, babies drink less than this. It takes time for them to reach their normal baby feeding schedule.

How often should I burp my baby?

Generally, babies need to be burped midway through a feed and after feeding. To read more on burping and to see pictures of burping baby positions, click here.

When should I be worried about my baby's feeding?

See your doctor or health nurse if:

your baby loses more than 10% of his birth weight
your baby has not regained his birth weight by Day 10
your baby does not have changing stools (yellow) by Day 7
your baby stays asleep for hours and is very lethargic and difficult to rouse
there are no signs of effective milk transfer

To go to the top of the Baby Feeding Schedule, click here

To read about what is normal for baby poop, click here - if your baby is feeding properly, he will have an expected result in his diaper (nappy). Read what that is..

For babies aged 6 - 12 months, click here - gives information on how to wean your baby onto solids

To go to the Newborn Baby page, click here

To go to the Growing page, click here

To return to the Home page, click here

Useful Link for Breast-feeding Mothers

Love Your Baby - provides breastfeeding mothers with information and guidance in caring for their babies. In an effort to help mothers prevail over the challenges related to breastfeeding, loveyourbaby.com is now offering Breastfeeding Online Services.

Last reviewed 20 November 2006

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