How often should feed 3 month old baby?
Being a parent is no easy feat, especially when it comes to feeding your little one. As a new mom or dad, you’re probably wondering how often you should feed your 3-month-old baby. Fear not, for we have got the answers you need!
Understanding Your Baby’s Hunger Cues
Before diving into the frequency of feeding your baby, let’s talk about understanding their hunger cues first.
Hunger signs:
- Rooting or nuzzling
- Sucking on fingers or fists
- Lip smacking
- Crying (a last-resort sign)
If you notice any of these signs in your baby, then they are surely hungry and ready to be fed. But even if they aren’t showing obvious hunger cues, keep an eye out for slight movements such as sucking sounds or quick breaths that could indicate hunger.
Frequency of Feeding
One thing many parents wonder about is how frequently their 3-month-old needs to eat. Just like adults, every child has unique needs and will indicate when they want food – so there isn’t really one right answer other than “on demand.” Ideally though…
The general recommendation:
Aim for around 8 to 12 feedings per day, averaging at every three hours. Of course, this can vary depending on certain factors such as weight gain patterns and individual habits of the munchkin.
Remember that every newborn is unique! So don’t stress out too much about hitting exact timings – flexibility & patience are key here.
Here’s a breakdown of what a typical daily schedule might look like:
| Time | Feeding |
|---|---|
| 6am | 1stfeeding |
| 9am | 2ndfeeding |
| Noon | 3rdfeeding |
| 3pm | 4thfeeding |
| 6pm | 5thfeeding |
| 9pm | 6thfeeding |
| Midnight | 7thfeeding |
| 3am | 8thfeeding |
And so on!
Breastfed babies:
If you’re breastfeeding your little one, then allowing them to feed as often and for as long as they wish is typically best. This ensures they get the correct amount of nutrients they need – when they need it.
Does this mean night feeding too?
Yes! Newborns are hungry around the clock (and also keep different sleep hours than adults). If your baby is waking up in the middle of the night and wants a feeding, go ahead!
While many parents (including ourselves) prefer their tiny ones sleeping through the night – this can wait until he or she’s big enough!
Bottle-fed babies:
On average, bottle-fed infants will consume 2-4 ounces every three to four hours (we repeat – depending on individual patterns).
Note: As with any dietary advice concerning children please consult with a medical professional for personalised recommendations if you have any concerns regarding weight gain etc…
Bonus Tip: How Do You Know When Your Baby Is Full?
Babies usually signal that they’re full by slowing down how quickly&stronglythey suckle—loose interest or fall asleep/start fussing. And once again just like adults, not all babies eat an equal amounts at each feeding period & may not finish entire bottles/breasts… don’t worry though! Babies know how much food their cute little tummies should hold.
In Conclusion
Feeding your 3-month-old baby isn’t something that has to be stressful. Observe them continuously- whether it’s hunger cues or signs that let you know nourishment time is over&eventually develop healthy eating habits. As we mentioned before – there really are no set timelines here – your newborn knows exactly what &when he/she needs it, so hang in there!