How often should a baby typically feed in the first few months?

In the first few months of life, babies typically feed around 8 to 12 times in a 24-hour period. This frequent feeding is crucial for several reasons.

Firstly, newborns have small stomachs, which means they can only take in a limited amount of milk at each feeding. Frequent feedings help ensure that they receive adequate nutrition to support their rapid growth and development during this critical period.

Secondly, breastfeeding, in particular, often operates on a demand-supply basis; the more frequently a baby feeds, the more milk the mother produces. This aligns with the natural breastfeeding patterns where babies might cluster feed, meaning they may have periods of very frequent feeding followed by longer stretches of sleep.

Moreover, this frequency is also important for ensuring proper hydration and for establishing a good feeding routine. Infants may vary in their feeding needs, but aiming for 8 to 12 feedings in 24 hours is a general guideline that caters to their needs effectively in the early months of life.