Are you concerned about getting yourself and your newborn baby on a regular feeding schedule? Whether you’ve already brought your bundle of joy home or whether you’re simply trying to prepare and learn what to expect, getting into a routine for feeding your baby is important for your child’s nutritional welfare and for your own stress levels as well. Even if you’ve already prepared yourself for potential vitamin deficiencies with key supplements such as infant vitamin D drops and more, it’s important to understand what a healthy newborn feeding schedule looks like and what the signs of a hungry child are. Here’s how you can get your little one onto a regular feeding schedule, and how you can adapt to the new routine as well.
What is A Good Newborn Baby Schedule?
Before you begin researching different formula options or stocking up on Wellements organic gripe water, it’s important to be able to recognize common signs your baby is hungry. It may be time to feed your newborn if he or she is:
- Shifting towards your breast
- Smacking his or her lips
- Placing his or her fist near his or her mouth
- Constantly closing and opening his or her mouth
- Suddenly becoming alert or restless
- Crying after having a diaper changed or being burped
Although every baby’s schedule can vary slightly, there are a few rules of thumb that can help establish a healthy feeding routine for your child. Make sure you:
- Feed your child every two to three hours during the day
- Wake your child up at night for regular feedings as needed
- Use a breast pump if necessary or ensure your formula is heated to the proper temperature
- Write out a regular daily feeding schedule and continue practicing it until your newborn starts to get used to it
Adapting to Your New Routine With Your Child
Part of getting onto a regular routine is learning to adjust to the new schedule. Although it may take some time, you can easily adapt to the new schedule if you:
- Keep a close eye out for potential signs your baby may be hungry, such as constant crying, hearing your baby coughing at night, or fussing
- Try to keep your child awake during feedings to avoid too much daytime napping
- Learn about how much your child eats per feeding to estimate the time each feeding will take
- Keep mealtime routines as consistent as possible to get your child on schedule and avoid confusion
- Practice trial and error for the first several weeks of having your baby at home until you get into a more regular feeding routine
The earlier you can get your newborn baby onto a regular feeding schedule, the easier feeding time will be for both you and your child. Whether or not you’ve already brought your baby home, you can get your little one onto a healthy schedule by learning the most common signs your child is hungry, understanding the components of a typical feeding schedule, and learning the top tips that can help you adjust to the new routine.
