How often should a newborn be fed? NHS advice on breastfeeding and using formula

Having a newborn baby, especially for first-time parents, presents a huge challenge, no matter how much you’ve prepared for it. A new mouth to feed – a little human who will let you know very quickly if they are unhappy.

There is so much to learn as a new parent – from feeding to sleeping, and from colic to crawling.

Getting feeding right is one of the trickiest parts of looking after a newborn baby. Whether you are breastfeeding or bottle feeding, there is so much to learn.

Read more: What time should children go to bed and how much sleep do they need?

So how often do newborns need to be fed? And how can you tell whether they are getting enough food?

The NHS says that in the first week, your baby may want to feed very often. It could be every hour in the first few days.

It recommends that you feed your baby as often as they want and for as long as they want. They'll begin to have fewer, but longer feeds after a few days.

As a very rough guide, your baby should feed at least eight to 12 times, or more, every 24 hours during the first few weeks. It's fine to feed your baby whenever they are hungry, when your breasts feel full or if you just want to have a cuddle.

It's not possible to overfeed a breastfed baby. These are the signs that your baby is hungry:

It's best to try and feed your baby during these early feeding cues as a crying baby is difficult to feed.

The NHS says that you should be guided by your baby. It also says that you should remember that all babies are different.

Your baby will know how much milk they need. Some want to feed more often than others, so just follow your baby's lead. Feed your baby when they seem hungry and do not worry if they do not finish the bottle.

How much formula?

The NHS says