Feeding your baby: How much & How often?

You’ve done it. You have survived the 9 long months. Your little one  has arrived, and they’re hungry! Knowing how much to feed your baby can seem a little overwhelming at first, especially in those first few days. It's important to remember that there is no “best way” when it comes to feeding, how you choose to do it is up to you. This simple guide below gives you the the plain and simple facts to help you and your baby find your feeding groove.  

Why is it so important?

It may seem obvious, but making sure your baby is getting enough milk is essential for them to stay alive and grow. The right nutrition is crucial to lots of other important factors too like brain development, gut health and long term physical health. The feeding process (either by breast or bottle) gives parents and babies a chance to bond, setting the foundations for long term emotional health.

How much should I feed my baby?

How much...Birth to the first week of life

Exact volumes that your baby will need in these early days depends on the baby’ weight, and will increase each day. Your midwife or nurse will give you plenty of guidance on what to aim for.

How much...1 week to 6 months of age

Breast fed babies: This will vary from baby to baby, but a very general guide is to aim for a 15-20 minute breastfeed, every 3 hours, 8 times per day (and night). If your baby is feeding for less than 10 minutes, eight times per day, seek advice from your paediatrician or a lactation consultant – they may just need to adjust the baby’s latch, or check for tongue-tie.

Bottle fed babies: Aim for a total daily 24 hour volume of 150ml (5oz) for every kilo the baby weighs. For example: if your baby weighs 3kg, they will need a total daily amount of 450ml (15oz) per day. So if your baby is feeding every 3 hours, this means they will need roughly 60ml (2oz) every 3 hours, eight feeds per day. Remember that this will increase as your baby grows, so it’s a good idea to make up a little more in each bottle and allow them to stop when they’ve had enough.

How often should I feed my baby?

Some parents choose to ‘demand feed’ which means they do not have set feeding times, but feed whenever baby is hungry. Other parents prefer to follow a set feeding routine from birth. There is no right or wrong way, so long as baby is getting enough milk regularly throughout the day and night.

How often...Birth to 1 week of age: At birth, a baby’s tummy is about the size of a cherry. So they need very small frequent feeds throughout the day & night. Aim to feed at least every 2-3 hours.

How often...2 weeks to 6 weeks of age: The tummy grows to the size of an egg so they can cope with slightly larger amounts of milk, but will still require feeds every 3 hours or so. This can stretch to four-hourly feeds at around six weeks of age for some babies.

How often...6 weeks and 24 weeks of age: Your baby may (*hopefully!) sleep for longer during the night and a night feed may be dropped at this stage if you wish.

What to do if you’re worried about your baby’s feeding:

It is important to speak with a qualified professional if you feel your baby is not feeding well. A GP, paediatrician, nurse or dietitian can help with checking your baby’s growth, and can help with any problems or worries you might have about feeding.

REMEMBER….

Every baby is unique and will feed in their own special way. Try not to get too bogged down by numbers - babies have an exceptional ability to regulate their appetite. As long as your baby is happy, growing and producing plenty of delightful nappies you can rest assured you’re doing a good job.

Quick Guide: