How to Create a Newborn Feeding Schedule

You've brought your newborn baby home from the hospital, and now you want nothing but the best for this precious addition to your family. Putting your baby on a feeding schedule is important and beneficial to your child's development. Your baby will most likely sleep better and be in a better all around mood if he or she is on a schedule. Just like with all baby care, this may take some time and experimenting, but a baby on a schedule is a blessing to work toward!

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• chart
• pencil
• clock
• formula and bottles
• breast milk

How to Create a Newborn Feeding Schedule

1. Decide if you are going to bottle feed or breast feed your baby. There are arguments on both sides, but the fact is breast milk does give your baby important nutrients, and it is much cheaper. Get your information and facts before your baby is born, so you know what you want to do right away. Always have a back-up plan if you decide to breast feed. Sometimes, babies have trouble latching on, and remember the important thing is your baby gets enough nutrition to grow big and strong!
2. Feed your baby every two to three hours (ideally). Yes, you should wake up your newborn baby to feed him until he has gained back the weight he lost when coming home from the hospital, and he shows he is gaining one ounce a day. You can wake him up every two to four hours. You always look at the time you started the feeding and calculate two to three hours from that start time to create a newborn feeding schedule.
3. Watch your baby closely every two to three hours for early signs of hunger. These will be movements such as stirring, stretching, sucking, or lip movements. If you are always waiting to feed your baby once she starts fussing or crying, then that is too long. Your baby is already hungry.
4. Write down your feeding times for the first few days on a piece of paper, and see if a natural pattern develops. It will not be exact and can vary day to day. For example, on Day One, your first feeding may have been 7:00 a.m. and then the next one at 9:30 a.m. On Day Two, you started at 6:30 a.m. and then 9:00 a.m. for your second. You can still see a pattern here of your baby eating about every 2 1/2 hours, even though the times are not exact each day. This pattern helps to create a newborn feeding schedule.
5. Avoid "snacking" if at all possible. Remember every time a baby cries, it does not mean he is hungry. He may be bored or have a wet diaper. He may be tired or want to be in a different position. Don't get in the habit of feeding your baby every time he cries. This method hardly ever results in a schedule.
6. Check your baby's diapers to make sure she is getting enough to drink each day. On average, your newborn should have four to six wet diapers a day, and three to four bowel movements. As your baby gets older, the amount of bowel movements will decrease. If you are ever concerned your child is not growing or not getting enough to drink, then call your doctor.

Tips & Warnings

• If your baby stops sucking or taking the bottle during a feeding, he may just be taking a break, so don't stop the feeding yet. Burp your baby, and then try again.
• Remember, every baby is unique. If you have any questions or concerns, call your doctor. Keeping track of feeding times and amounts on a piece of paper or calendar will help you see patterns and discuss concerns you have.