How Often Should The Baby Be Fed?
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Many new moms worry that their baby is not getting enough to eat. Especially when breast feeding, mom is the only source of nutrition for small babies, and that responsibility carries a lot of weight.
In general, you don’t need to keep any sort of a rigid feeding schedule. Your baby will let you know when she is hungry, and when she has had enough. A newborn will likely need to eat between 8 and 12 times a day. As he gains weight, he can eat more each time and go longer and longer between eating. If you are breastfeeding, your milk supply will generally adjust on its own to meet baby’s need.
Signs that your baby is hungry are not limited to crying. Your baby might be hungry if:
- He moves his head from side to side.
- She frequently opens her mouth or sticks out her tongue.
- He puts his fist or his hand into or up to his mouth.
- She puckers her lips in a sucking motion.
- He nuzzles against mom’s breast.
- She moves her mouth toward something that touches her cheek (known as the “rooting reflex).
Signs that your baby is getting enough to eat can be:
- She seems generally satisfied after feeding.
- He produces somewhere between 4 to 6 wet diapers each day.
- She has regular bowel movements.
- He sleeps well.
- She is gaining weight in a steady manner.
- He is alert when he is awake.
Some signs that your baby might not be getting the nutrition that she needs can include:
- Her face doesn’t look as full as it should.
- Even after a feeding, he doesn’t seem to be satisfied.
- Her skin is still wrinkled, even after the first three or four weeks after being born.
Generally, your health care provider will want to check on your baby within 2 to 4 weeks after birth to make sure he is growing and getting the nutrition he needs. If you are concerned that your baby is not eating enough, contact your health care provider, as it may be a sign of another problem.
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