Have you ever wondered how great would it be to have a baby feeding chart right in front of you, reminding you when you should feed your baby?
Well, many parents worry or panic when it comes to satisfying their baby’s nutritional needs. That’s pretty stressful.
Worry no more! Our well-constructed baby feeding chart is here to help you keep your baby full and happy.
Baby Feeding Chart
During the first year, breast milk or formula is the primary food source for babies. With that said, we can introduce solids around six months, but the formula or breast milk still plays a crucial nutritious source.
Babies respond differently to feeding. While some of them are always hungry, others are just too lazy to eat.
Most parents feed their babies based on their weight or age. However, making assumptions can lead to confusion.
So, rest your busy parental mind and consult our baby feeding chart, which has all the information you need to know about your baby’s meals.
How Often Should I Feed My Newborn?
According to the American Academy of Pediatricians, it’s best to feed your little pumpkins when they seem hungry.
But you can feed newborns every two or three hours (8 to 10 times per day) during their first months. Babies between three and four months should eat every three or four hours (6 to 8 feedings a day).
As you can see from our chart, as babies grow, the milk intake increases while the number of feedings decreases.
When babies turn six months old, the real feeding challenges begin. It is a period when different types of solid food appear on your baby’s menu.
New foods such as fruits, vegetables, meats, or beans help babies grow and reduce the amount of daily feedings to about 4-6.
Because your baby starts eating solid foods, here’s a list of some items that are essential for feeding your baby solid foods:
- Special infant spoons;
- Special infant plates;
- Baby high chair;
- A lot of napkins;
- Calmness and persistence;
- A baby feeding chart;
By the end of the first year, you can add cheese and yogurt to your baby’s daily food intake. And just like that, the first year as a baby parent passes.
What Is a Normal Feeding Schedule For a Baby?
Babies are creatures of habit. They like to eat when they feel the need, which might come at a similar time every day.
It doesn’t matter whether your little one is breastfed or formula-fed. It still gets hungry! Normally, newborns have their tummies grumble about every two hours. That’s 12 snacks in 24 hours!
It’s no wonder babies grow so quickly. Nonetheless, let’s get straight to the details about your baby’s feeding schedule.
When Should You Start a Feeding Schedule For Your Baby?
In the first two months, your babies will have the desire to fill their little tummies at the most random times.
They can burst out crying for food when the sun comes out while relaxing in the afternoon or in the middle of the night.
Your baby will get random waves of hunger until about two to four months old. When it reaches that age, it will start showing different eating patterns.
So, waking up in the middle of the night to meet your baby’s nutritional needs will be left in the past.
How do I Calculate my Baby’s Feeding Time?
During the first few months, your baby will send you tantrum alarms when it’s hungry.
And when you hear that cry, you’ll immediately let go of whatever you’re doing at the moment and feed your cutie.
After that phase, your baby will start displaying different feeding patterns. When you notice that, start writing down the exact time your baby feels the need to eat.
That way, you can calculate the average time difference between your baby’s meals. And voila! Now you can be prepared for your hungry little creature and avoid panic situations.
What is the Ideal Feeding Schedule for Babies?
After we’ve discussed when to start a feeding schedule for your baby, and how to calculate it, we’ll see what’s ideal for most babies.
Firstly, we can start with newborns. As I remember, I fed my little ones mostly on demand.
However, medical experts state that during the first month, formula-fed babies need feeding every 3-4 hours.
That time difference should increase to 4-5 hours by the time your baby is six months old. As for breastfed infants, they might display hunger more frequently than formula-fed babies.
All things considered, babies like to be treated like royalty. So make sure to prepare their meal on time, or else…
· Can a 1-Month-Old Go 4 Hours Between Feedings?
During the first month, your baby grows a lot and gains many physical and mental abilities. So, it needs tons of food (not literally).
Formula-fed babies can go 3-4 hours between feedings, but breastfed babies might have a food crisis more often.
Remember, these are rough averages! The time between feedings depends on the baby’s needs.
How Much Breastmilk Should a Newborn Eat?
Breastfeeding is a magical moment for most mothers, and it’s special for the baby too. Mothers get to feel the pride of motherhood, while babies fill their tummies. It’s a win-win situation.
So, how much breastmilk is too much? Well, it depends on the baby’s needs, but here are some averages:
- 30ml-60ml (1-2 ounces) per feeding in the first few weeks;
- 90ml-120ml (3-4 ounces) pet feeding after one month;
As mentioned, every baby is unique, so contact your pediatrician if you have dilemmas regarding breastfeeding.
How Long Can a Newborn Go Without Eating at Night?
No one wants to sleep hungry, not even newborns. So, waking up in the middle of the night for a quick snack is common.
Those are the moments when you realize as a parent that you love your little one more than you love yourself.
Nonetheless, you might wonder how long can a newborn go without eating at night. Here are the answers:
- You should feed your baby every few hours between 0-3 months;
- Your baby should sleep for 6-8 hours without eating at 6 months;
- Your baby should sleep for 11-12 hours without eating at 9 months;
ALSO READ: Baby Milestone Chart For the First Year (Development Stages)
