Whether from breast or bottle, be sure to feed your baby on demand and not according to the clock.

Babies show signs of hunger long before they start to cry. Their breathing changes, their eyes, mouth and face begin to move, their limbs and body become tense and restless, legs waving, hands touching their face and mouth. Next comes sucking action. These are all signs that your baby is hungry. It’s a good time for the bottle. You will both relax and feeding will go easily.

Daily feeding schedules vary widely from one baby to the next. Like adults, babies are all different. Some have regular schedules while others are unpredictable, feeding more or less often and at different times of day. This depends on your child’s sucking ability, temperament, appetite, mood and the volume flowing through the nipple. Newborns usually feed 8 to 12 times every 24 hours. Some very efficient babies need only 6 feedings a day. Feeding will become quicker and less frequent as your baby grows older.

How much should I feed my baby?

Introducing formula to my baby

Reference:
Doré, Nicole; Le Hénaff, Danielle. From Tiny Tot to Toddler, Practical Guide for Parents from Pregnancy to Age Two. Québec, Institut national de santé publique du Québec, 2008. Pages 367.