Newborn Feeding Schedule: A Gentle Guide for New Parents

In short: From birth to 3 months a baby needs feeding about every 2–3 hours, day and night, and naps last from 40 minutes to three hours. This article gives a model daily schedule for feeding and sleep, with the reminder that every baby is different and the routine should be adapted to the baby’s needs, and that formula allows longer gaps between feeds than breast milk.

So, you’re a new mother! Congratulations! Your baby is undoubtedly the apple of your eye. As you look to take care of your little one, there are a number of things to be watchful for. One of the most important is your baby’s feeding and sleep schedule. During the first few months, a baby is extremely sensitive to sleep patterns. They also need to be fed often, usually 8 to 12 times in 24 hours, and the best guide is your baby’s hunger signs (rooting, sucking on hands, stirring) rather than the clock. Crying is a late sign of hunger. That’s why it helps to build a gentle feeding schedule for your baby — it supports your little one’s wellbeing and gives you, the mother, adequate rest too.

It’s important to remember that every baby is different. Some babies need a little extra sleep, while others need more frequent feeds. It’s best to shape your plan around your baby’s own needs to get the most benefit from it. A good schedule can also work for parents, giving both of you a chance to plan some personal time — whether that’s a hobby or catching up with friends. This helps prevent burnout, which matters when you’re caring for a newborn day and night.

This early period is described in our parents’ guide to newborn characteristics.

A baby in the first 4 weeks of life is called a newborn. In the first months your baby’s needs change from day to day, so follow your baby’s cues; a more regular routine usually develops gradually from around 3–4 months. Newborn babies typically nap anywhere from 40 minutes to three hours at a time. They also aren’t yet tuned in to day versus night, so for the first few months you may find yourself up at odd hours to feed and soothe them. Feeding will be frequent at first and will gradually space out as your baby grows. At about 6 months (not before 4 months), you’ll introduce more varied foods like iron-rich cereals and porridges, mashed vegetables, fruit and meat, while continuing breastfeeding. You may also hear people say never to wake a sleeping baby — but in the very first weeks, it’s perfectly fine to gently wake your newborn for a feed if it’s been too long.

A sample feeding schedule for your newborn might look something like this (use it as a starting point, not a strict rule):

In the first weeks, feed your baby whenever they show hunger, even if it is earlier than the schedule, and do not let more than 3 hours pass between feeds during the day or 4 hours at night; wake your baby for a feed if needed, especially if they are jaundiced or sleepy. Once your baby is gaining weight well, your doctor may tell you it is fine to let them sleep longer at night.

9:00 AM – Wake your baby and feed

10:00 AM – Allow them to nap for up to an hour

11:00 AM – Wake your baby and feed again

12:30 PM – Another hour long nap

1:30 PM–Wake and feed baby

3:30 PM – Longer nap up to two hours

4:30 PM–Wake and feed your baby

6:00 PM – Nap for up to 90 minutes

6:30 PM–Feed

7:30 PM – Quick 30-minute nap

8:00 PM – Feed

9:30 PM – Another short 30-minute nap

10:00 PM–Feed

11:30 PM – Feed and sleep

3:30 AM – Wake after long nap and feed

6:30 AM – Feed followed by a long nap

As mentioned, this is only a sample schedule and should be gently adjusted to fit your baby’s own needs. Keep an eye on your breastmilk supply, as some babies need more than others. If you’re feeding your baby formula, you may be able to space feeds a little further apart, since formula tends to take longer to digest and can keep babies full for longer. If you’re using formula, it’s wise to keep enough in stock, since once your baby settles into a routine, they may find it harder to adjust to sudden gaps in feeding times.

As your child grows, this kind of routine can give you, as parents, a little more predictability and freedom. It helps your baby get the nutrition and rest they need to grow strong and healthy, and it helps mothers settle into breastfeeding more comfortably. What does your ideal feeding and sleep schedule look like? If you have questions about your baby’s feeding routine or your own postpartum recovery, the team at

What to expect month by month is set out in our guide to the stages of infant development.

Dr. Najeeb Layyous’s clinic is here to help guide you with compassionate, experienced care.

Written by: Aradhana Pandey

Author Bio

Aradhana is from India. She is a veteran writer on topics concerning parenting, child nutrition, wellness, health and lifestyle. As a regular contributor to popular sites like Huffington Post, Natural news, Elephant journal, Thehealthsite, Naturally Savvy, Curejoy and MomJunction.com, Aradhana writes to inspire and motivate people to adopt healthy habits and live a stress-free lifestyle.

Dr Najeeb Layyous F.R.C.O.G

Consultant Obstetrician, Gynecologist and Infertility Specialist