He was on a feeding tube for the first 10 days. By the time your baby is crying you have already missed the early queues. I’m very much a “do what works for you, as long as it harms none” type of person. After the first few days: Your formula-fed newborn will take from 2 to 3 ounces (60–90 mL) of formula per feeding and will eat every three to four hours on average during her first few weeks. In the early days, if your baby is not put to the breast when hungry, it can have a negative impact on your milk supply. Therefore, to help babies get back to birth weight by 2 weeks of life, we recommend that parents wake their babies to feed at least every 3 hours during the day and at least every 4 hours at night for the first few weeks. Your email address will not be published. This often helps all to get more rest. Scheduled feeding. Required fields are marked *. That’s pretty much a schedule. When my son was born premature, I had to at least try to get him to eat every three hours. Scheduled feeding. Mothers have different storage capacities in their breasts, and all babies take in different amounts - even the same baby will take differing amounts throughout a day. Feeding your baby “on-demand” simply means not worrying about the clock. You do it, then they grow up and eat on their own. I was totally in disagreement with pretty much every word in the book. Some experts recommend that the best time to switch from on-demand to scheduled feeding is when you introduce your baby to solid foods. Feeding on demand simply means feeding your baby whenever he signals that he's hungry – usually by crying or sucking on his hands – rather than according to a set schedule.The terms "on cue" or "ad lib" are a better way to describe feeding according to your baby's needs than "demand" feeding. I love scheduled feeding but that doesn’t happen for a while. Interesting discussion. Others insist that babies should be on scheduled feedings to make life easier for everyone. I personally feel demand feeding is the way to go, but I wouldn’t villainize a mom for choosing scheduled feedings if she’s making sure her baby is happy and healthy. Take a look at a few of the pros cited by those who are for scheduled feedings. No book or advice from other parents can replace your own gut feeling. Scheduled Feeding: Which is Best for Baby. But they told me I had to basically teach him how to eat on his own. Another great solution for the over-tired mom is to bring your baby into your bed at night. Check out how to do that on our YouTube Channel: DIY Breastfeeding. On the other hand, scheduled feeding can sometimes be sabotaging to a breastfeeding relationship, as well as to your baby’s overall health and growth pattern. Whether you’re formula-feeding or breastfeeding, it’s pretty much the agreed-upon “right” way to go. Feeding on Demand The goal of feeding on demand is to let your baby guide you and feed when she feels hungry or thirsty (since breast milk and formula is also their source of water for the first 6-12 months of life). Formula takes longer to digest and babies can go a little bit longer between feedings. One of the biggest challenges we hear from mothers about on-demand feeding is that they feel overworked and tired from being available at all times. Until Dr. Spock came along in the late 1940s, most babies were fed on a strict schedule. This can be very frequent and some new parents are caught off guard. Seems pretty logical, right? Scheduled feeding also doesn’t allow for growth spurts - a time when your baby will ask to feed much more often than normal, helping to increase your milk supply as your baby grows bigger. Early in your baby’s life, it’s best to feed on demand. I used formula with my son. On-demand feeding is also a good way to ensure that baby will get enough milk to grow properly. It’s got to be demand feeding at the start for a good few weeks. *** There is ONE small parameter that we often recommend during the first few weeks postpartum with respect to on-demand feeding. While perhaps not best for your baby in the early months, there does comes a time when scheduled feeding becomes necessary. As pointed out above, when a baby feeds at the breast, we don’t know how much the baby is taking - so there is no way for us to know how long baby can go before he/she needs to feed again. On-Demand vs. When my first was born someone suggested scheduled feeding. My sister in law on the other hand used formula and she scheduled feedings. It’s just what worked for us. It’s life. Another thing parents really like about a feeding schedule is it deters baby from being a snacker, which can be rather inconvenient at times. For the first 6 weeks, it was rough. There are a LOT of benefits to on-demand feeding. If your baby isn’t allowed to feed more frequently during these times, your milk supply may not be able to meet your baby’s growing need. I have no idea when the idea of scheduled feedings popped up. There is not just one answer here to the question of whether you breastfeed / formula-feed on demand or feed on schedule. It was time consuming at first but as they got older they figured out their own schedule. How do you know when you should feed your baby? Still, we’re fair and balanced here, so let’s talk about scheduled feedings a bit. You feed your baby whenever he/she shows you that he/she is hungry. The baby needs it and they’re too young to program initially. Here’s the thing: most experts recommend demand feeding, according to KidsHealth. At 3-4 months old a pattern may develop but the schedule may shift as your baby grows. He didn’t really know how to eat. Let me make something clear: I’m not talking about those of us who had to schedule feedings because of specific issues. My son ate a lot and is a big kid, I hate to think if I fed him less he would have grown up shorter! Sometimes you HAVE to do scheduled feedings to make sure your baby is getting enough, at least for a little while. Helps baby develop his own schedule. The other thing to know is that breastmilk is digested and absorbed easily and quickly. Your mother insists that your newborn should be able to wait a full three hours between feedings, but a neighborhood mom gave you an earful about how scheduled feedings are cruel. When it comes to making sure your baby is getting enough nutrition, some parents say demand feeding is the only way to go. Breastfeeding is supply and demand, not by a schedule. Feeding your baby “on-demand” simply means not worrying about the clock. Baby Feeding and Sleeping Schedule: Formula-Fed Newborn. It’s harder to over or under-feed your baby once you know his personal cues. It just is. When your baby leads the way with demand feeding, he tells you when he’s hungry or full. Plus, breastmilk is easier for babies to digest and need to be fed every few hours to avoid their blood sugar from dropping two low. My youngest is 13 months and is breastfed since birth and feeds on demand, nursing wise. Google can be an amazing resource - but it can also provide WAY too much information for a first-time mom. Don’t let a book, dr, or anyone else determine what is best for your baby and situation as long as your baby’s needs are being met. Demand feeding or schedule feeding: infant growth from birth to 6 months. Journal of reproductive and infant psychology 20(2): 89-99. As a mom, I always tell new moms to do what is best for you and your baby. He was on special formula, but he was a preemie, so I had to at least try every 3 hours. 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