Newborn hunger or feeding cues are the most effective way of knowing when your baby should eat, NOT A CLOCK!!!
As a general rule,
- Breastfed babies should eat 8-12 times in 24 hours
- Formula fed babies roughly 6-8 times in 24 hours.
*** This does not mean every 2-3 or 3-4 hours ***
Feeding cues include:
- Rooting – baby will turn head toward nipple or finger if face is stroked
- Sticking out his/her tongue
- Smacking Lips
- Open and closing mouth
**** CRYING IS LATE FEEDING CUE. TYPICALLY A BABY CRIES AFTER DISPLAYING OTHER FEEDING CUES HAVE GONE UNNOTICED ****
