During a childbirth education class, what is the recommended frequency for feeding a newborn?

Feeding a newborn every 2 to 3 hours or on demand is the most commonly recommended practice for ensuring adequate nutrition and promoting healthy growth. Newborns have small stomachs and require frequent feedings to meet their nutritional needs, as their feeding patterns can vary widely. Feeding on demand, meaning when the baby shows signs of hunger, allows parents to respond to their infant's needs effectively, which can vary from every 2 to 3 hours depending on the individual baby's appetite and growth requirements.

Offering scheduled four-hour intervals starting from birth may lead to missed feeding opportunities, especially in the early days when babies often wake up to feed every few hours. Newborns typically need to feed more frequently than every four hours to get a sufficient intake of calories and hydration.

Feeding every hour may seem to ensure adequate nutrition, but this approach can lead to the infant being overfed or the caregiver becoming overwhelmed, especially if the baby is comfort nursing rather than feeding for nourishment.

Relying solely on the baby showing signs of hunger might neglect the recommended frequency of feedings for optimal nutrition in the early weeks. It’s essential for caregivers to establish a balance between recognizing hunger cues and adhering to general feeding guidelines to support newborn health effectively.