Your Baby’s First Year: An Easy Guide to Feeding Schedules

As a new mum, wanting to know exactly what to expect with a newborn baby is natural. This is especially true when it comes to feeding and feeding schedules. Feeding your baby is one of the major aspects of your baby’s daily routine, particularly in their first year when nutrition plays a vital role in their cognitive and physical growth.

• The World Health Organisation recommends that breastfeeding is best for your baby.
• Having a balanced diet when breastfeeding is also important. Infant Formulas should only be used after you’ve sought advice from a doctor or health practitioner.
• A decision not to breastfeed can be difficult to reverse and introducing partial bottle feeding may reduce the supply of breast milk.
• If you use infant formula, all preparation and feeding instructions must be followed as per the manufacturer’s instructions. This is important for your baby’s health.

Newborn feeding schedules

Most newborn babies feed between 8 and 12 times a day, and often on an unpredictable schedule. This is generally the time when doctors will recommend feeding on demand. This means feeding your baby whenever they signal that they’re hungry, rather than keeping to a set feeding schedule. In their first few months, a baby’s growth is faster than at any other stage of their life, meaning their appetite is very high and they will need frequent feeds. Feeding on demand is usually recommended up until your baby reaches 6 months of age, since newborn schedules are much more variable and their appetites can fluctuate. According to the latest recommendations, feeding on demand involves:

• Initiating feedings when babies show signs of hunger
• Ending feedings when babies show signs of being satiated

There are a lot of benefits when it comes to feeding on demand. For one, it’s a good way to ensure that your newborn baby is getting all the milk and nutrients it needs. Other benefits of feeding on demand include:

• Early initiation of breastfeeding is important for success. The more stimulation, the better mum’s milk supply will be.
• You’re in tune with your baby’s needs.
• You can be assured that your baby isn’t going hungry waiting for a feed.
• It may form healthy eating habits, which can make introducing a feeding schedule easier.

Once your baby has reached the age of 6 months (though this can be earlier – always tune into your baby’s needs and schedule to be sure) their appetite becomes more predictable and it’s at this time that they will begin to benefit from a feeding schedule.

Benefits of a feeding schedule

While feeding on demand is often recommended for newborn babies, many mums will express their preference for scheduled feedings, since the predictability of keeping baby on a schedule makes it easier for them. In some cases, feeding a newborn on a schedule rather than on-demand can make it easier to develop a steady rhythm and keep things predictable up into the later stages of a baby’s first year. However, it’s generally recommended to only introduce a feeding schedule once baby reaches 6 months old or if their appetite becomes predictable. It’s at this time that your baby is likely to shape their own behaviour and schedule, and it will become easier to introduce a feeding schedule. Benefits of a feeding schedule include:

• Makes it easier to determine why baby is crying or cranky since it eliminates the possibility that they could be hungry.
• Keeps a predictable schedule, making it easier to facilitate yours and baby’s daily schedules.
• Helps to keep your supply. If you’re breastfeeding or pumping at scheduled intervals it can help to regulate your supply.
• Gets baby used to a routine and helps them to sleep through the night earlier.

Remember that babies are individuals and will have their own unique schedules, so don’t stress too much if you are unable to stick to a schedule.

Sample feeding schedules

Feeding schedule for 0-3 months

Month 1: 120 mL of milk, 8-12 times in a 24 hour period.

Months 2-3: 120-150 mL of milk, 6-7 times per day.

Because newborns have tiny tummies and because breastmilk is easily digested, they need to be fed more frequently. This usually means you will be feeding them every 2-3 hours around the clock. However, the time between feeds can vary depending on your baby. Newborns are also known to have periods during the day where they feed very frequently (known as cluster feeds) and are followed by a longer period of sleep. During these first 3 months, your baby will often let you know that they’re hungry by crying and on-demand feeding is common. For months 1-3 your baby will only be feeding on breastmilk or formula.

Feeding schedule for 4-6 months

Months 4-5: 120-175 mL of milk, 5 times per day.

Month 6: 175-235 mL of milk, 5 times per day. Introduction of baby food.

Continue feeding your baby milk or formula for the first 6 months to ensure they are obtaining the vital nutrients they need. At 6 months, you are then able to introduce solids in the form of baby food. Baby food has more liquid in it which makes it easier for the baby to digest and makes for a smoother transition into hard foods.

Feeding schedule for 7-12 months

Months 7-9: 210-235 mL of milk, 4-5 times per day; 1-2 jars of baby food.

Months 10-12: 235 mL of milk, 3-4 times per day; 1-2 jars of solids/finger foods.

Now is the time to start introducing baby foods and solids! It is around these months that your baby will begin to wean off milk and consume more solid foods. These include:

• Meats. Chicken and turkey are always good options to start introducing meats to baby.
• Vegetables. Celery sticks, squash, spinach, pumpkin, potato, etc.
• Fruits. Oranges, bananas, strawberries, apples, etc.
• Cereals. Rice, barley, wheat, oats, breakfast cereals.
• Protein-rich foods. Peanut butter (carefully monitor in case of allergy), tofu, soy-based yoghurt, beans, soft cheeses.

Figuring out the right feeding schedule for your baby

Feeding your baby in their first year can be both a confusing and exciting time! Listening to and monitoring your baby will help you to figure out whether feeding on demand or scheduled feeding works best for you. Some babies will eat more and more frequently, while others will eat less frequently than others. It’s just a case of feeling your way through and figuring out what’s best. Keeping baby on milk or formula for the first 6 months of their life is essential and should be followed by soft and strained solid foods from 6 months onward. Introducing your baby to one food at a time will help you to monitor for allergies or any food intolerances.

Organic baby food

For the best organic baby food for the first year of your baby’s life and beyond, check out Bellamy’s range of products.

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