Newborn feeding schedule by age
What a typical feeding rhythm looks like from birth through six months — and how to tell whether your baby's pattern is on track. Every baby is different; this is a general reference, not medical advice.
Feeding frequency at a glance
| Age | Feeds per day | Typical gap |
|---|---|---|
| 0–1 week | 8–12 feeds / 24h | Every 2–3 hoursWake to feed if baby sleeps past 3–4 hours |
| 2–4 weeks | 8–12 feeds / 24h | Every 2–3 hoursCluster feeding in the evening is common |
| 1–2 months | 7–9 feeds / 24h | Every 2.5–3.5 hoursSlightly longer night stretches appear |
| 3–4 months | 6–8 feeds / 24h | Every 3–4 hoursGrowth spurts temporarily increase demand |
| 5–6 months | 5–7 feeds / 24h | Every 3–4 hoursSolids may begin alongside milk feeds |
Count start to start
Feeding intervals are measured from the beginning of one feed to the beginning of the next — not from when the feed ended.
Follow hunger cues
Rooting, hands to mouth, and stirring come before crying. Responsive feeding beats a rigid clock in the early weeks.
Nights change slowly
Longer night stretches usually arrive once birth weight is regained and your pediatrician says on-demand night feeds are no longer required.
Signs feeding is going well
- Steady weight gain at pediatrician visits after the normal early dip
- Six or more wet diapers a day once your milk is established
- Baby settles or seems satisfied after most feeds
- Diaper output matching the ranges in our newborn diaper count guide
When to call your pediatrician
Reach out if your baby is consistently sleeping through feeds, has fewer wet diapers than expected, is not back to birth weight by about two weeks, or feeding suddenly becomes painful or difficult. A written feeding log makes that conversation much faster.
Track the schedule automatically
Nestli shows time since the last feed and when the next one is due, shared with your co-parent in real time.
Start tracking now!