How often do you feed infants?

Question

Are we supposed to feed infants every 2 hours or 3? What about at night? Also, how many ounces do you feed?

Answer 1

NORMALLY about every 3 hours... it all depends on the child tho... normally infants start on about 4 onces of formula... and day and night dont really matter.. when theyre hungry theyre hungry :)

Answer 2

You feed an infant when it is hungry, and you feed it as much as it will eat in one feeding.

Generally for young infants you feed 2-4 oz every 2 hours. Some babies will sleep through the night and do not require feedings during the time, other will wake hungry a few times during the night and need a bottle or nursing.

After a while you learn the difference between a bored cry, wet cry, and hungry cry. You also gain a feel for knowing that you have just feed the baby and it cannot be hungry again. These little gained bits of knowledge help you avoid long nights and over feeding.

but generally a new born and young infant eats every 2-3 hours until their stomachs grow and they can hold more food over long periods of time.

Answer 3

If you are a stay at home mom let her set her own clock. This is a very old way of doing it and most health professionals disagree but it works. Some pro's say every 4 hrs but I have kids hungry after 3 hrs than cry for an hour than the next feeding they don't want to eat. I have had feedings range from 2 hrs to 5.5 hrs. I find that feeding them when they are hungry and not forcing them when they are not helps them to be content and all around happier. Yes this is more taxing on you, but this time is so short enjoy it. If you are bottle feeding ask your partner to help if you are breast feeding try a pump than put in sterile bottle then in the fridge to use at latter time. It will keep for up to 2 days. And again your partner can help this also lets them have a deeper bond with the baby. Remember everybody will tell what to do so do what you are comfortable. Even though you are tired enjoy this special time it will not come again. Children are indeed a blessing

Answer 4

I never feed any of my 3 children according to a schedule. I always fed on demand and you can start with a 4 ounce bottle and the baby should let you know when she has had enough. I have read that formula fed infants usually eat every 4 hours. Hope this helps.

Answer 5

The answer depends on whether you're breastfeeding or bottle feeding.

If you're breastfeeding, feed the baby every 2.5 to 3 hours. Any less and your body won't have time to make enough of the all-important hindmilk that nourishes baby once the foremilk is gone.

If you're bottle feeding, start out feeding the baby every 3 to 3.5 hours. Once they're older and can take more at a feeding, you can extend the time between feedings to 4 hours. Don't go any longer than that until they're eating solids (around six months).

Answer 6

You feed them when they are hungry...watch the baby, not the clock. A breastfed baby will need to feed about every 2 hours around the clock, at least 8-12 times per day in the early weeks. An artificially fed baby will need to feed about every 3-4 hours at first.

Answer 7

Get that baby on a SCHEDULE!! that is the best advice that i was given and my little one started sleeping through that night at 2 months!! Get a starting time in the morning about 8 a.m. or so or whatever works with you and at first every 3 hours then about a month later or even 2 weeks later go up to every four hours. Then you can have a life and the baby will be SO much happier!! And if you stick with that schedule baby will sleep through the night in bout 3 weeks. Maybe even earlier!!

Answer 8

Depends on the age. Newborns generally want to eat every 2-3 hours but as they get older, there is a bigger space between feedings. Under 6 months I would just say to feed on demand.

Answer 9

My son is 3 weeks and he eats 2 ounceslots of the time each and every 2-3 hours some situations he will eat 3 and intensely rarely he will eat 4. If i grew to become into you i could initiate with 2 then if she continues to be hungry make her yet another 2. My wellbeing practitioner informed me to feed my toddler each and every time he's hungry so i could say enable her help you comprehend even though this is going to possibly be around 2-3 hours.

Answer 10

Every infant is different. Most of the time, when they first come from the hospital it will be every 2 hrs., gradually it will go to 3 hrs. and then 4 hrs. Also it also depends on the size of the baby. They usually start out at 2ozs., then it will also increase. Usually you will be able to tell when they are full.