The primary question keeping every new mum awake at 3:00 AM, aside from the actual crying baby, is simple: "Am I feeding them enough?" It is easy to spiral into a world of ounces, milliliters, and minute-tracking. You want a predictable newborn feeding schedule, but your baby seems to have other plans.
A baby feeding chart is a fantastic tool to give you a baseline. It provides peace of mind when you are wondering if that "milk drunk" state is normal. However, remember that a chart is a guide, not a legal contract. Your baby has a unique appetite that changes daily. Use this guide to find your rhythm, but always let your baby’s cues have the final say.
Feeding Chart for Newborns and Babies (From Birth to 12 Months)
This newborn feeding chart outlines the typical volumes and frequency for the first year. If you are wondering “how often do you feed a newborn,” the answer in the early days is "frequently."
| Age | How Much average amount of milk per day |
How Often expected number of feedings per day |
|---|---|---|
| 0-24 hours | 5 to 7 ml per feed (Colostrum) |
8 to 12 times |
| 24-48 hours | 10 to 15 ml per feed | 8 to 12 times |
| 48-72 hours | 15 to 30 ml per feed | 8 to 12 times |
| 1 week | 45 to 60 ml per feed | 8 to 12 times |
| 2-3 weeks | 60 to 90 ml per feed | 7 to 9 times |
| 1 month | 90 to 120 ml per feed | 6 to 8 times |
| 2 months | 90 to 120 ml per feed | 5 to 7 times |
| 4 months | 150 to 180 ml per feed | 5 to 6 times |
| 6-12 months | 150 to 180 ml per feed | 3 to 5 times |
Newborn and Baby Feeding Schedule by Age
As your baby grows, their feeding schedule shifts from a constant cycle of "is it time yet?" to a more predictable routine. This feeding guide for newborns helps you navigate those transitions.
0-3 Months
During the "Fourth Trimester," feeding is your main occupation. If you are asking “how much milk should a baby have,” the answer is usually as much as they want.
- Breastfed babies: Expect to feed on demand. This often looks like 8 to 12 sessions in 24 hours. Your body and baby are working together to establish supply.
- Formula-fed babies: When considering how much formula for newborn babies is right, start with small amounts. Most take about 60 to 90 ml every three to four hours in the first few weeks.
- Hunger Cues: Look for rooting, sucking on hands, or smacking lips. Crying is actually a late hunger cue.
- Mum's Comfort: You spend hours sitting while feeding. This is a great time to wear your SRC Recovery Shorts or Leggings. They provide the abdominal and pelvic floor support you need while your body heals, making picking up your baby, bathing and feeding sessions much easier and more comfortable.
4-6 Months
This is the transition period. You will notice the feeding amount for newborn babies increases while the frequency might slightly decrease.
- The Stretch: Babies often start taking longer stretches between feeds, especially at night.
- Readiness for Solids: You might see your baby watching your fork with intense interest. While some babies show interest now, the World Health Organization recommends waiting until around 6 months.
- Keep the Milk: Even if you start a few tastes of food, breastmilk or formula must remain the primary nutrition source. Do not let "tastes" replace a full milk feed yet.
6-9 Months
At 6 months, starts to include solid foods.
- First Foods: Focus on iron-rich foods like iron-fortified cereals, pureed meats, or legumes.
- Texture Shift: Start with smooth purees and quickly move to roughly mashed or minced textures.
- Finger Foods: As they develop the "pincer grasp," soft finger foods like steamed carrot sticks or banana pieces become a fun (and messy) part of the day. Breastmilk or formula still provides the bulk of their calories.
Baby food - DIY or Buy from Store?
Whether you should whip up batches of sweet potato mash at home or stock up on jars from the supermarket depends entirely on your current tolerance for mess versus your budget. Neither choice makes you a better parent, but each has a distinct set of trade-offs.
Most parents find success with a hybrid approach. You might make bulk batches of simple staples like carrots or apples at home and freeze them in ice cube trays, but keep a few high-quality baby food pouches in the pantry for emergencies or outings.
9-12 Months
At this stage, your baby is becoming a pro at eating. They can handle more texture and might even try to "help" with the spoon.
- Family Meals: Their food can start looking like yours, provided it is soft, safe, and has no added salt or sugar.
- Rhythm: They might move to three small "meals" a day alongside their milk. Milk is still the main event until the first birthday.
12+ Months
Solids become the main source of nutrition
Provide a feeding schedule for breastfed babies vs. formula-fed babies
The big switch. At one year, solids become the main source of nutrition. You can transition to full-cream cow's milk, and breastfeeding can continue for as long as you and your baby desire.
Feeding Guide for Newborns: What a Flexible Day Can Look Like
A newborn feeding schedule is really more of a rhythm than a clock-based routine. The Australian Breastfeeding Association emphasises that early feeding should stay flexible and cue-led. [1]
- Morning Feeding: Often a "catch-up" period where they feed frequently after a longer sleep.
- Daytime Cluster Feeding: It is normal for babies to want to feed every hour for a few hours. It doesn't mean your supply is low. It means they are growing.
- Evening Feeding: Often the most chaotic time. Many babies cluster feed in the evening to "tank up" for the night.
- Overnight Feeding: Necessary for small tummies. These feeds are usually quieter and more functional.
When Do Infants Start Eating Baby Food?
You don't need a calendar to tell you when to start solids. Look for these signs of readiness:
- They can sit up with little or no support.
- They have good head and neck control.
- They have lost the "tongue-thrust reflex" (they don't automatically push food out of their mouth).
- They reach for your food or show intense interest in what you are eating.
Safe first foods include pureed vegetables, fruits, and iron-fortified rice cereal.
How to Know Your Baby Is Getting Enough
It can be difficult to assess whether your baby is getting enough milk, especially when you’re exclusively breastfeeding. Thankfully, there are simple signs that can tell you if your baby is feeding well.
- Wet Nappies: 6 to 8 heavy wet cloth nappies or 5 to 6 disposable nappies in 24 hours.
- Stools: Soft and easy to pass.
- Alertness: They are active and alert when awake.
- Weight Gain: A steady upward trend on their growth chart.
When to Ask for Help
Trust your gut. If you feel something is off, it is always worth a conversation with a professional. Reach out to your Child and Family Health Nurse, a Lactation Consultant, or your GP if you notice:
- Consistent poor weight gain.
- Your baby is excessively sleepy and difficult to wake for feeds.
- Painful latch or damaged nipples.
- Concerns about low milk supply.
Feeding your baby is one of the biggest tasks of early motherhood. While a newborn feeding chart is a helpful guide, your baby is the real expert on their appetite. Stay flexible, watch for their cues, and remember that you are doing a great job. Whether you are using a newborn feeding guide for formula or breastfeeding on demand, the goal is a happy, growing baby and a mum who feels supported.
FAQs
1. Should I keep breastfeeding if my baby is eating solid food?
Yes. Breastmilk or formula should be the main source of nutrition for the first 12 months. Solids are "complimentary" until then.
2. How long is too long for a newborn to not feed?
In the first few weeks, most professionals suggest not letting a newborn go longer than 4 hours without a feed to ensure they maintain blood sugar levels and gain weight.
3. What is the 5-3-3 rule for feeding babies?
This is a sleep training concept where you don't feed for the first 5 hours of sleep, then 3 hours, then another 3. This is generally for older babies, not newborns.
4. What is the 4-4-4 rule for breastfeeding?
This often refers to milk storage: 4 hours at room temperature, 4 days in the fridge, and 4 months in the freezer.
5. How often should I wake my newborn to feed?
If your baby hasn't regained their birth weight, you may need to wake them every 3 to 4 hours. Once they are growing well, you can usually let them set the pace.
6. Is it normal for my baby to feed more on some days?
Absolutely. Growth spurts often lead to "cluster feeding," where the baby seems hungry constantly for 24 to 48 hours.
7. Should I follow a strict feeding schedule or feed on demand?
In the early months, feeding on demand (following cues) is widely recommended to establish milk supply and ensure the baby's needs are met. Routine usually develops naturally over time.
