Infant Feeding Schedule

On Becoming Babywise by Gary Ezzo and Dr. Robert Bucknam, [published by Charleston Publishing Group, Inc., 2006] centers around a flexible feeding schedule that when combined with regular naps and wake time will enable your baby to sleep through the night from an early age.

Birth to Two Week Feeding Schedule

Focus these two weeks on making sure that your baby takes a full feeding each time you nurse, instead of developing an early habit of snacking. Feeding every 2.5 – 3 hours is a general guide, but “hunger cues and parental assessment, not the clock, determine feedings” (On Becoming Babywise p. 112).

Two to Four Week Feeding Schedule

Baby should eat every 2.5- 3 hours during these weeks. The goal here, according to Mr. Ezzo and Dr. Bucknam, is to establish milk production in mom, and for baby to learn how to nurse well. The goal is to average 8-10 feedings within a 24 hour period, starting with a first morning feeding that is at the same time (within ½ hour) every morning. This will enable the feedings to fall at about the same times each day and create a sense of routine and predictability for both mom and baby.

Five to Eight Week Feeding Schedule

During weeks 5-8 baby should eat every 2.5-3.5 hours. During the late evening and any nighttime feedings, mom should feed baby and put her back to bed without any wake time. This will help baby learn that nighttime is for sleeping and daytime is for playing. During this time, baby may do well on 7 feedings, or she may require more. Mr. Ezzo and Dr. Bucknam remind parents to watch for growth spurts that will require extra feedings.

Nine to Fifteen Week Feeding Schedule

Nighttime sleep during these weeks should extend to 9-10 hours at a stretch and baby can often do well with between 5-7 feedings a day by the end of week 13. (On Becoming Babywise p. 121).

Sixteen to Twenty-four Week Feeding Schedule

During this time frame, many parents begin introducing solid foods. Continue to nurse or bottle feed your baby 4-6 times a day. By the end of this period of time, mealtimes for baby should be at about the same times as mealtimes for the rest of the family. Nighttime sleep should average 10-11 hours at a stretch.

Sample Feeding Schedule

Each cycle should start with a feeding and include both wake time, and naptime.

1. Early morning feeding
2. Midmorning feeding
3. Afternoon feeding
4. Midafternoon feeding
5. Late afternoon feeding
6. Early evening feeding
7. Late evening feeding
8. (possibly) middle of the night feeding

As baby stretches the time she can go between feedings, the schedule with adjust accordingly, and nighttime sleep should extend naturally as the eat, wake, sleep schedule are followed. Find problem solving tips and suggestions on the babywise philosophy.

Create a Routine for Baby

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