Nap and Feeding Frequency

If he is awake I would feed him every 3 -4 hours, if he's not hungry he'll let you know. However if he's sleeping I wouldn't wake him, when he is hungry he'll let you know.

I have a 2 year old and a 5 month old. My doctor told me if I fed them every 3 hours during the day they would wake up less at night, and it seemed to work. My baby only woke up once a night to eat and has been sleeping through the night for the past 2 months. It's a lot easier to wake them up to eat during the day then to have them do it to you at 3 a.m.! Good luck!

The short answer is "yes", but I wouldn't wake him to accomplish it.

HI L.,

My son was a 9lb baby when he was born. Right from the start I feed him 4 hourly, much to the horror of the midwivies. He fed well and slept well. I remember in the hospital the midwives made me wake him up to feed him every three hours. He would be cranky and unhappy. I did appreciate it though as I was able to practice breastfeeding with the support of the midwives. At home I chose to stick to a routine, not for everyone I know. It was a routine that seemed to work for both of us. So I fed at 6am, 10, 2pm, 6pm, 10 and 2am. I was able to stop the 2am fed by 9weeks. During the day he slept for 2-2.5hr stretches. He would never be awake for more then 1.5hrs during the day at this age. Remember that 3 hrly feeding is a guide. I am sure you'll find what works best for you both.

You probably got a few feedbacks on this but I just saw your question and thought I'd respond :) Yes, keep the bottles going. With my first child we were told to feed her every three hours but the reality is if you're noticing that the baby's getting really fussy before the 3 hour mark it's ok to feed them and if their not really hungary at the 3 hour mark hold of for a little bit and try again. As long as you're child is having wet and/or soiled diapers between feedings you're doing good. Good luck with your new baby :)

every 2-3 hours if you are breastfeeding. you should be getting in at least 8-9 feedings a day at this point. if you are formula feeding, you can feed on demand and just make sure he's eating enough in a full day (since you can measure and there are guidelines for how much he should get a day based on age and weight.

YES - feed on demand and no more than 3 hours during the day - which will "tank up" baby so they sleep longer at night.

I nursed (even bottlefeed as well) no more than 3 hours during day and as needed at night. Both my daughters adapted to this well. My first slept through about 12 weeks and my 2nd slept through about 5 weeks (she's 4 mos old now, having a growth spurt and is up about 1-3 times a night now for a week, just slept through again last night!).

Hang in there - you're doing GREAT! :)

this routine sounds perfectly normal for your baby's age. If you want to avoid the 1/2AM feeding you could wake the baby up at 11PM and give them a feeding, then they would probably sleep thru to 5am. In the coming months your baby will sleep later and later 5am then 6am then7am. Hang in there, you're doing great!

If you are breastfeeding...you may want to do what they call feed on demand which can vary and you can feed them anywhere from every 2-4 hours. If you are bottle feeding... I would ask your pediatrician.

Are you breastfeeding? If so you should be feeding more often than every 3 hours. Every 2-3 is standard, but feeding on demand (anytime baby shows any signs of hunger or wanting to suckle) is the only way to really keep up your milk supply. If you are formula feeding, I cant help because I have zero experience with FF babies. I breastfed all 3 of mine.

yes you do. just enjoy your time now, it goes by SOOO fast. I nursed my son every 1 1/2 hours for 4 months. you will sleep again, trust me! In reading a response below, i advise NOT to give your baby water yet. Not until 7 months, it dehydrates them. you can ask your PED about that. Good luck!

the nap times seem to be pretty normal for that age. my daughter was on somewhat the same schedule at that time. as for the feedings...you know when he's hungry. i personally didn't have my daughter on a feeding schedule. the 1st week i really paid attention to the difference in how she acted when i fed her, what she did right before and if she was really hungry or not. i noticed that she only did the sucking motions like she was feeding when she was hungry...if not, she'd kinda drink the milk, kinda just suck, then spit it out cuz she wasn't really hungry. after the 1st week i only fed her when she would start sucking on nothing. she wound up sleeping a little better at night when that happened, and would only wake up IF she was hungry. gl and congrats.

Are you breastfeeding? If so, I say nurse whenever he is hungry. This was never on very consistent sched. for my DD. She would just want comfort sometimes.

Yes. Your baby is only 9 weeks and his schedule for feeding and sleeping will keep evolving. Try to feed him whenever he wakes - he'll let you know if he's not hungry.

i fed my son every 3 hours until he started solids, but it depends on your sons mood, youwill know if he is hungry or not!

I would feed every 3 hrs during the day, more if the baby wants more, especially if you are breastfeeding. By feeding this frequently, your baby will start needing less at night and start to get longer stretches at night.

I have found that by nursing every 3 hrs all day until 4 and then every 2 hours from 4-8, my babies were full and slept much better at night. Good Luck!

Hi L.,
My baby turns 3 months on the 10th. Went through the same thing. The doctor advised me that it was ok to dilute the formula a little bit with water to fill her up a little more this way you aren't feeding as frequently. Your baby will grow out of it. My daughter is now eating every 5 to 6 hrs.
I hope this helps.
Almond - mother of ages 3 months, 8, 16, and 18.

Congrats,Ok I have 2 boys and Breastfed both of them. Having said that now there are 2 types of Moms those that schedule the feeds for there child and those that let the child shedule you (Feed on Demand.

Baby's are amazing they always find a way to tell you they need something; however, if they are going a long time with out eating and do not have 6-8 wet diapers per day and dirty diapers regularly then they are not getting enough. the schedule is a good guide line but not the bible. Feel free to contact your Doctor/pediatrician or a Lactation consultant (the care Connection in amherst on Harlem is a great source)You can call them just to ask the feeding time question. If your baby is growing, gaining weight, and is happy he/she is getting plenty to eat and you are doing a great job.

Hi L.,
I did this too with my daughter, sticking to the strict 3 hour feeding thing for the first few weeks and then I realized that wasn't best. Its best to fee anybody when they are hungry, not on a strcit schedule, we all need to sleep and eat when we need to, not based on any other schedule as that really play with your system.

Good luck, S.