As a new parent, you might ask many questions, among which is the most common one, "How long should a newborn be without eating?" Newborns have tiny stomachs and thus require frequent feeding to support rapid growth and development. They should, therefore, be fed every 2-3 hours, including during the night. Understanding the hunger cues of your baby will help you establish a healthy feeding routine. In this guide, we’ll explore feeding schedules and offer tips on how to ensure your newborn gets the nourishment they need.
How Often Do Newborns Eat?
Newborns usually feed every 2 to 3 hours, which amounts to feeding 8 to 12 times a day. Their little stomachs need filling quite frequently to support their high pace of growth and development. This feeding routine may include nighttime feedings. Look out for hunger cues that would indicate when your baby should be fed, like sucking on hands, rooting, or just crying. Each baby is different, so some may need to feed more or less frequently, but most newborns need to eat every few hours during the first few weeks.
Factors that Influence Feeding Frequency
Several factors influence how frequently a baby should be fed. Here are the key factors that determine baby feeding frequency:
- Age of the Baby
Newborns (0-2 months): Newborns feed every 2-3 hours since their stomach is relatively small and their growth is fast. This stage has the highest feeding frequency for newborns.
Infants (2-6 months): Babies may go 3-4 hours between feedings as they grow, but growth spurts around 3 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months may lead to more frequent feedings.
Older Infants (6-12 months): With the introduction of solids, babies reduce their reliance on milk and feed less frequently, with 3-5 feedings a day.
Toddlers (12+ months): Toddlers may eat 3 meals a day and 1-2 snacks, with milk or formula as a smaller part of their routine.
- Type of Feeding
Breastfeeding: Breastfed babies tend to feed more frequently as breast milk is digested quickly. Some may also engage in cluster feeding, where they feed more often in the late afternoon or evening, especially during growth spurts. Babies who fall asleep during breastfeeding might not get enough milk, impacting feeding frequency.
Formula Feeding: The baby may be fed less often, typically every 3-4 hours, because formula takes longer to digest.
- Growth Spurts
Babies go through growth spurts at about 3 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. They tend to feed more often during these times. These increased feeding times allow them to sustain their rapid growth and development.
- Cluster Feeding
Some babies, especially those who are breastfed, seem to be hungrier and feed more "in clusters" at certain times of the day, often late in the afternoon or early evening. It is normal behavior and might be related to growing or developmental spurts.
- Hunger Cues
Infants have subtle cues of hunger, like moving their eyes under the eyelids, mouth movements, and feeling restless. More intense cues include whimpering, squeaking, or increased physical activity. It is, therefore, imperative that these cues are observed in order to feed infants on demand instead of leaving them to cry when they are hungry.
- Breastfeeding and Milk Intake
If the baby falls asleep during breastfeeding, he will not have taken enough milk. It will influence the feeding frequency because sometimes, the baby may have to feed more frequently in order to make up for the lost milk. Making sure the baby is awake and sucking well will help solve this problem.
- Infant Age
The baby's age plays a huge role in feeding frequency. Newborns feed more frequently, whereas older infants tend to space out their feedings due to their ability to consume large quantities of milk at one time and the introduction of solid foods.
- Health and Medical Conditions
Health conditions or medical needs can modify feeding patterns. For example, a premature infant will need to be fed often for growth, while an ailing baby will feed more often for comfort or less frequently if he is lethargic.
- Sleep Patterns
The sleep patterns of babies determine their feeding times. Newborns usually feed at night and tend to decrease the number of nighttime feeds as they grow and sleep for longer periods. However, some babies tend to feed more at night due to natural growth patterns.
- Baby's Appetite and Growth
The more individual hunger and growth patterns of the baby are, the more frequent feedings can be required. One may have to feed them more often than the other needs, especially when they begin with solid foods or become more efficient with nursing.
- Parent Lifestyle and Feeding Preference
Parents' schedules and preferences can also affect the feeding routine, whether they return to work or opt for mixed feeding. Whether parents follow a flexible feeding schedule or more structured feeding times can also influence how often the baby is fed.
How Do I Know when to Feed My Baby More?
You must feed more when your baby indicates hunger behaviors like rooting, sucking on fingers, or wriggling around. If it does not seem satisfactory at the regular time, during the growth period, or simply fails to increase in weight, with insufficient wet diapers, more food would be required for such babies. When they seem more restless and fussy and wake up multiple times at night after feeding time, it would indicate that there's a requirement to feed them more.
Why Do Infants Eat So Often?
Infants eat so often because their stomachs are small and can only hold a small amount of milk at a time. They thus require frequent feeds to obtain sufficient nutrients and energy for growth and development. On the other hand, babies are known to have fast metabolisms, and thus, their bodies utilize milk very quickly, making them hungry more frequently. Frequent feeding also facilitates the establishment of a good supply of milk during breastfeeding.
How Long Can Babies Go Without Eating?
The duration that a baby can stay without eating is determined by the age of the baby, their condition, and whether they are being bottle-fed or breastfed. Here are the general guidelines:
- Newborn (0-2 months)
Newborns should be fed at least every 2-3 hours, even at night. They have smaller stomachs and cannot go too long without feeding.
- 2-6 months
During the growth, babies may sometimes not be fed for 3-4 hours in the day. However, night feeding may still be essential. Some babies begin to sleep longer, and this usually begins around 4-6 months.
6 months and above
- 6 months and older
By 6 months, the baby can tolerate not being fed for 4-6 hours especially if it is fed solid foods with breast milk or formula. In some instances, babies might sleep all through the night without feeding.
It is also necessary not to make babies go hungry for a long time, especially at the early stage. If, for instance, you are worried that your baby could be experiencing odd feeding patterns or seems abnormally lethargic, call your pediatrician.
How Long Should a Newborn Sleep Without Feeding?
Newborns usually shouldn't go longer than 4–5 hours without feeding, especially in the early weeks. Here's a feeding guide for newborns:
First 1–2 weeks:
Wake your baby every 2–3 hours to feed, even if they are sleeping or whenever they sleep for more than 4 hours. Waking them will help them regain any weight lost after birth.
After the first couple of weeks:
At this point, if your baby has recovered their birth weight, they can then sleep for longer periods at night. Nonetheless, ensure that they continue growing well, gaining weight, and usually possess at least four wet diapers and three poopy diapers a day.
Breastfeeding Vs. Bottle Feeding:
While breastfeeding, feed your baby every 2–3 hours. Upon bottle-feeding, your baby will go a little longer, in most cases, taking about 3–4 hours between feedings.
Newborn babies do not have sleep-wake cycles. It is one reason why babies are very often wakeful during the night. Encourage a sleeping baby by providing bright lights and activity in the daytime and then a dark, quiet space during nighttime hours to induce longer sleep stretches.
Should I Wake Up My Baby to Eat?
Yes, you should wake your baby to eat if they are sleeping for longer than 4-5 hours, especially during the first few weeks. They must feed enough in order to regain any weight lost after birth and to ensure healthy growth.
Babies usually return to their birth weight by 2 weeks old, so you can let him sleep longer stretches at night if he's feeding well during the day, gaining weight as expected, and having enough wet and dirty diapers.
For breastfeeding babies, it is a general recommendation that they be awoken every 2-3 hours during the day for feeding to maintain one's milk supply. Bottle-fed babies may get a little bit longer between feeds, usually by 3 to 4 hours.
When Can I Stop Waking My Baby to Feed them at Night?
Most new parents wonder at what point they can stop waking their babies to feed them at night. The thing is, every baby is unique, and age and development serve as a guide to knowing when it's appropriate to let your baby sleep through the night without feeding. Here are some typical milestones to guide you.
Newborns (0-2 months): In the initial weeks, they require feeding at 2-4 hourly intervals, even in the night time, as they have small stomachs and grow very rapidly. They will often need waking to feed to be sure they are gaining weight correctly.
2-4 months: Around this time, most babies can sleep through most of the night (4-6 hours). Some of them may continue being fed at night. If your baby is gaining well, you will realize they sleep more hours without waking up for feeding. Dropping one or more nighttime feedings becomes common during this period.
4-6 months: This usually occurs between 4 to 6 months of age when babies have grown big enough to sleep through the night without being fed. If your baby is relatively healthy, gaining weight appropriately, and has doubled his birth weight, you can start to allow him to sleep for long stretches and may no longer need to wake him to feed at night.
6 months and older: Usually, at 6 months of age, most babies can go 8 to 12 hours without a feed. At that stage, most babies are now on solid food and consuming all the calories necessary by daytime; hence no need to wake them at night to feed.
It is essential to note that each baby is unique. Some babies will naturally begin sleeping through the night earlier than others, and others may take longer.
Tips for Waking a Sleeping Baby to Feed
It is challenging to wake a sleeping baby for feeding, but you can do it gently and help him wake up without disturbing him. Here are some gentle ways to wake your baby for feeding:
- Skin-to-skin contact: Hold your baby against your chest to encourage wakefulness through warmth and closeness.
- Talk and sing: Come to your baby softly singing or humming a lullaby. You can also talk to him in a soft voice to wake him up.
- Massage: Massage your baby's chest, shoulders, arms, legs, and spine gently to help him wake up gradually.
- Change their position: Try moving your baby to a different position, like changing from a cradle hold to a football hold or gently lifting them in a "sit-up" motion to jolt them open.
- Adjust the lights: Dim the lights so your baby feels comfortable opening their eyes without feeling overwhelmed.
- Cool washcloth: Place a cool, not cold, washcloth on your baby's forehead, stomach, or back to help him wake up.
- Tummy time: Place your baby on their tummy on a firm surface to encourage exploration and wakefulness.
Using these techniques can make the process of waking your baby for a feed more comfortable and calm for both of you.
Tools and Tips for Newborn Feeding
Perhaps one of the most exciting yet challenging experiences for new parents is newborn feeding. Whether they breastfeed or bottle-feed their baby, a couple of essentials can help make it easier to get through. The following are important tools and tips for newborn feeding:
- Bottle Warmer
For bottle-feeding parents, a bottle warmer is helpful. It makes sure that milk or formula is warmed to the right temperature without overcooking or uneven heating, which can burn off essential nutrients. The Momcozy Bottle Warmer uses advanced smart sensor technology to get your baby bottle to the best temperature for them, ensuring no overheating or compromising nutritional qualities.
- Nursing Pillow
A nursing pillow provides crucial support for both you and your baby. A good nursing pillow, such as the Momcozy Nursing Pillow, can make feeding time much more comfortable. This pillow helps to support both you and your baby during breastfeeding or bottle feeding. It reduces strain on your arms, neck, and back while ensuring the baby is in an ergonomic position for feeding, which can be especially helpful for new moms as they adjust to frequent feedings.
- Bottle Washer
Thoroughly cleaning the baby bottles is essential to prevent bacteria and milk residue buildup. Cleaning baby bottles after every feeding is essential for hygiene, and the Momcozy Bottle Washer makes it easier. It is an automatic washing and sterilizing baby bottle washer and drier for baby bottles, pump parts, and baby tableware.
- White Noise Machine
Having a white noise machine can be a game-changer during newborn feeding. The Momcozy Baby Sound Machine is the perfect accessory for newborn feeding routines, combining 34 high-fidelity white noise sounds with a gentle LED lamp in seven soothing colors. Simple settings adjustments via cell phone or by touch will create a calm environment, ensuring both peaceful feedings and restful nights for the baby and parents.
- Breastfeeding Supplies (if breastfeeding)
If you are a breastfeeding momma, here are some useful breastfeeding supplies:
- Breast Pads: Breast pads help avoid leakage between feeds.
- Nipple Cream: Nipple cream softens and prevents soreness of the nipples.
- Breast Pump: If you're pumping milk to store for later use.
- Nursing cover or shawl for extra modesty when breastfeeding in public.
- Baby Feeding Schedule Tracker
Record how often and how much your baby eats, whether you are bottle-feeding or breastfeeding. It can be done with a handy feeding tracker app or even simple paper notes.
- High-Quality Baby Bottles
If you're bottle-feeding, having high-quality bottles designed to minimize air intake can help reduce the risk of gas and discomfort during feedings. Look for bottles with anti-colic features.
- Pacifiers (Optional)
Some babies find comfort in sucking, even after they are fed. Giving your baby a pacifier helps soothe them during moments of fussiness.
General Tips for Newborn Feeding:
- Feeding on Demand: Newborns have tiny stomachs and need to feed frequently, sometimes every 2-3 hours. Feeding on demand ensures your baby gets the nourishment they need.
- Create a Calm Environment: Babies get very easily distracted and can be overwrought as well. Giving your baby a calm environment can make a feeding session peaceful, so if needed, there's even the use of white noise or dimming lights.
- Watch for Hunger Cues: Be on the lookout for sucking on hands, rooting, or lip-smacking as cues that your baby is hungry.
- Be Patient with Burping: Burp the baby gently after each feeding in case the baby has swallowed some air while feeding. Burping the baby would prevent discomfort and gas.
- Stay Hydrated and Nourished: If you are breastfeeding hydrate and feed yourself, especially if you are breastfeeding. Have a bottle of water and snacks at your disposal when feeding your baby.
Conclusion
Feeding is very essential to the newborns' growth and development. Have a routine based on your baby's cues, and use such tools as a bottle warmer, nursing pillow, and white noise machine to make feeding much easier. Try not to stick too much to the schedule; it is better to consult the pediatrician when needed. With patience and the right support, you’ll create a nurturing environment for both you and your baby.
