How often babies feed

Newborns feed often, day and night, because their stomachs are small. Feeds usually spread out over the first months, but the number that's right varies a lot from baby to baby. Following your baby's hunger and fullness cues matters more than hitting a count.

What's typical

• Breastfed newborns feed about every 2 hours, so 10–12 feeds in 24 hours is the norm (AAP). The CDC gives 8–12 feeds in 24 hours for newborns, and says feeds can come as often as every 1–3 hours in the first days.
• Formula-fed newborns feed every 2–3 hours, with 8 feeds in 24 hours as a general minimum (AAP).
• In the first weeks and months, most exclusively breastfed babies feed every 2–4 hours (CDC), and formula-fed babies about every 3–4 hours (CDC).
• The normal range is wide: in one study of exclusively breastfed babies aged 1–6 months, feeds averaged 11 a day and ranged from 6 to 18 between babies (Kent 2006).
• From 6 to 12 months, as solids start, most babies have formula or solid food about 5–6 times in 24 hours (CDC). Milk feeds and meals both count toward that number.

Times are counted from the start of one feed to the start of the next. In Chickpea, a top-up bottle straight after nursing counts as part of the same feed.

Reading hunger and fullness

Early hunger cues (CDC): hands to mouth, turning toward the breast or bottle, puckering, smacking or licking lips, clenched hands. Crying is a late sign, and a crying baby can be harder to feed. Closing the mouth, turning away or relaxing the hands usually means "done".

Waking a sleepy newborn

In the first weeks, some babies need waking to feed, especially while they are regaining birth weight. Half of babies are back to birth weight by about 10 days, and more than 9 in 10 by 3 weeks (Paul 2016). The AAP advises waking a baby who is having trouble gaining weight. Your pediatrician will tell you whether your baby needs waking and how long to let them sleep. Chickpea's "may be time to wake for a feed" line, shown in the first three weeks after a long gap, is just a prompt to go check.

When to call your pediatrician

• Your baby is too sleepy to feed, or very hard to wake.
• Fewer pee diapers than expected (see the diapers guide), or dark urine.
• Feeds suddenly drop off, or your baby seems unwell.
• Any worry about weight gain.