How often should a newborn baby breastfeed?

One of the most common questions parents have been how often their babies should breastfeed and how long a newborn can go without eating. With so much misinformation out there, many people don’t really know what to expect from breastfeeding at all.

Most new parents expect their newborn baby to breastfeed and then sleep for 3-4 hours before needing to breastfeed again. Some parents even expect their baby to sleep through the night or wake very minimal right from the beginning.

It’s rare that new parents know that frequent feedings and nighttime feedings are to be expected, and that it’s normal and healthy.

This is of course not the parents’ fault, there just isn’t enough breastfeeding baby sleep and normal infant behavior information and education easily available, or should I say there is just too much incorrect information out there, especially by the sneaky infant formula and sleep training industries.

How often do babies breastfeed?

Babies should be breastfed on demand and responsively, which means however often the need. Babies tend to breastfeed very frequently. It’s not uncommon or abnormal for a breastfed baby to breastfeed every hour or 2, or to rarely go longer than 2-3 hours between feedings. This is especially true for newborns and younger babies, but is also perfectly normal for older babies, toddlers and older children too.

On average, babies, especially newborns feed around 8-12 times or more in each 24-hour period. Studies have shown that breastfeeding or expressing at least 8-12 times a day while establishing breastfeeding, results in a higher milk supply.

Babies feed during both the day and the night. Nighttime feedings are especially important as prolactin levels are at their highest in the early morning hours, which means more milk for your baby.

Fun fact: Babies in Africa get worn all day and are breastfed very frequently, as often as multiple times in one hour. They also struggle less with reflux and colic and are overall very calm and happy babies. Why? They are with mom at all times, and they get to breastfeed often and keep their tummies filled at all times.

Babies also cluster feed frequently. Cluster feeding is where they feed almost continuously for a few hours at a time. It’s very hard for some mothers, but this is perfectly normal behavior.

Why do babies feed so often?

Many new parents wonder how it’s possible that a baby can be so hungry only an hour after they breastfed. Is it possible that their breast milk is not nutritious enough? Is it possible that they just don’t have enough milk for their baby?

Let me explain, breastmilk will almost always be nutritious enough unless you are severely ill with illnesses such as anorexia nervosa.

Breast milk contains exactly what your baby needs in the exact amounts they need it. The nutrients in breastmilk are highly bioavailable which means your baby’s body will use up all those important nutrients with very little to waste.

The reason why babies feed so often is not only due to the fact that it’s biologically normal to them, but babies are born with an innate reflex and need to constantly suckle at the breast.

Another reason is because breastmilk digests so quickly. This is because of the fact that it’s lower in fats and protein and higher in carbohydrates and lactose.

The main reason is the protein in breastmilk which has a higher ratio of whey to casein. Whey digests much easier and much quicker than casein. This is the very same reason why breastfed babies don’t struggle with constipation either, as Whey also has a natural laxative effect due to being so easily digested.

It’s also one of the reasons why breastfeeding reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Because breastmilk digests so quickly, babies will need to feed more often which keeps them full and prevents them from going into too deep of sleep for too long and being unable to arouse themselves.

Babies under 6 months of age lack sufficient levels of enzymes to help aid digestion which is also one of the reasons it’s suggested to wait until 6 months of age to introduce solids. Breastmilk also contains enzymes such as amylase and lipase that helps break down the milk and help to digest it easier and quicker.

This is all a perfect system. We as humans have lost our way, we as mothers are no longer in tune with our instincts and we struggle to believe in our body’s ability to sustain our babies. But despite us not believing in ourselves, our bodies can still do what it’s supposed to do in any way.

How long does it take breastmilk to digest?

Breastmilk digests within 45-90 minutes. The average gastric half-emptying time for meals of human milk was 48 min, and for meals of infant formula 78 min.

Babies don’t like going hungry for a good reason, too long between feedings can cause a baby’s blood sugar level to drop, especially in those first days and early weeks. Babies can also dehydrate very quickly.

Breastfeeding and sleeping

A newborn baby’s sleep cycle is only 30-45 minutes long and it’s very biologically normal for them to need assistance in going back to sleep. What better way than breastfeeding them back to sleep? It fills their tummies and both you and your baby can peacefully go back to sleep without too much of a struggle.

Breastmilk also contains hormones such as melatonin to help aid sleep in babies. You see how we are supposed to breastfeed our babies to sleep? So never let anyone tell you it’s a bad habit, because it’s not, it’s what we were meant to do. It might be a good idea to learn more about the benefits of safe co-sleeping/bedsharing while breastfeeding too.

You’ve probably heard the saying that you should never wake a sleeping baby, but I’m here to tell you to please wake your sleeping newborn baby if a couple of hours have passed since their last feeding, or if they’ve had much longer stretches of sleep than what is considered safe for their age.

Frequent waking and feeding are important not only for growth and survival but also for brain development. Frequent waking and feeding are also protective against SIDS because babies tend to sleep much lighter and feed more frequently and thus, they arouse more easily.

Babies were designed to feed very frequently. Small meals more frequently, rather than big meals less often.

How often should babies breastfeed?

Well, this is quite simple in most cases, you just have to feed on demand and responsively.

Feeding on demand means you breastfeed your baby whenever they demand to be fed. How do they demand? In the first few weeks they will show hunger cues.

After a few weeks your baby will no longer cue for hunger in the same way they did as a newborn, so you and your baby will have to learn each other’s wants and needs and if you’re unsure, just offer the breast any way. If it’s been a while, offer the breast.

You can’t overfeed a baby directly at the breast, so whether you feed once a day or 20 times a day, your baby will never get too much milk. How awesome is that? When in doubt, whip it out!

Feeding responsively means to feed your baby on demand, but to also be in tune with your needs and instincts. If you feel like it’s been a while, or if your breasts feel full or you just want to snuggle, offer the breast, your baby will probably be very happy that you offered.

Factors that can negatively influence breastfeeding and sleeping

In most cases, babies will wake on their own for a feeding as often as they need to. But some medications during and after labor can cause sleepiness in newborn babies. Some babies may have neurological or physical complications which can cause them to be severely sleepy.

Newborn babies may not wake up on their own and they may not cue for hunger even though they are hungry. So, we offer some recommendations to ensure that all babies receive adequate amounts of milk.

According to research, newborn babies should be fed on demand and responsively. It is recommended to keep to a minimum of 8 feeds per 24 hours. At least 8-12 feedings per 24 hours is recommended as this has shown to positively affect infant milk intake, growth and development, and the milk supply.

Newborns should be fed during both the day and the night as both day and night feedings are equally important. Research shows that the average baby feeds about 11 times in a 24-hour period. Some may feed even more frequently than that and that’s also perfectly normal.

Less than 8 feedings in 24 hours in the first few days and weeks has been shown to affect the milk supply and milk intake in babies negatively. So, as a minimum, you should ensure that your newborn baby feeds more often than this. But in normal circumstances most babies will definitely demand much more often than that.

Breastfeed on demand but do it responsively. Offer a feeding if it’s been a while. Babies don’t mind the offers and they will usually gladly take it. You can’t overfeed a baby directly at the breast, so your baby can go ahead and breastfeed for as much and for as long as they need to.

When can you stop waking your baby to eat?

For the average baby, they will wake by themselves from birth and probably well into toddlerhood. But for those who don’t for whatever reason, will need to be woken up by you to feed.

This is especially important in the first 2-4 weeks until your baby is back at their birth weight and gaining weight and growing as expected.

After around 4-6 weeks, if your baby isn’t waking by themselves, you can start leaving them to sleep until they wake up by themselves. If they’re sleeping for extended periods of time (8+ hours), a dream feeding may be a good idea for another few weeks.

It’s also very important to keep an eye on your baby’s diaper output and weight gain, to make sure they’re still getting enough milk.

Make sure they’re feeding frequently during the day, so they can drink all the milk they require for growth and development and to keep on thriving.

How long is too long for a newborn baby to go without eating

For a newborn, especially in the early days, 4 hours should be the absolute maximum time they go without a feeding. After 4 hours, their blood sugar levels may begin dropping and they may also become very dehydrated which is both very dangerous for a newborn baby.

If you notice that it’s been 3 hours since the last feed, go ahead and offer a feed to your baby.

After 4-6 weeks, they may give a longer stretch once or twice a day (mostly at night), and this is perfectly fine, but if it’s been a while, offer your baby a dream feed. Always monitor your baby for signs of inadequate milk intake and signs of dehydration, especially if they go longer stretches between feedings or sleep for a longer stretch at night.

Signs that your newborn baby is getting enough milk

– They have enough wet diapers

If your baby is having at least 4-6+ wet diapers in a 24-hour period, this is a good sign that they’re probably getting enough milk.

– They have enough dirty diapers

If your baby is having at least 2-5+ poop diapers in a 24-hour period in the first 4-6 weeks, this is a good sign that they’re getting enough milk.

– They are gaining weight and growing as expected

One of the very best ways to tell if your baby is getting enough milk is by looking at your baby’s weight gain.

If your baby is gaining enough weight as expected for their age, and they’re growing in height and head circumference as expected, this is an excellent sign if adequate milk intake.

– Your baby is happy, healthy and content

If your baby is happy, healthy and content most of the time, this is a sign that they’re getting enough milk.

Important notes on feedings

Babies don’t breastfeed just for hunger, they feed for many reasons including thirst, comfort, immunity, bonding with their mom, for pain relief and to go to sleep. All of these are equally valid and important needs.

Babies will want to breastfeed more frequently and also cluster feed during certain periods such as the first few weeks of life while establishing the milk supply, during growth spurts, periods of mental development, teething, illness, separation anxiety, big changes in routine or in everyday life and so much more.

Babies should always be fed on demand, and they should always be allowed to sleep as needed. Never follow a feeding schedule or a sleep schedule as it’s not in the best interest of your baby, their health or your milk supply and the breastfeeding journey. Always parent responsively.

If you ever need more evidence-based information or support related to anything about breastfeeding, consult with an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).