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Newborn Babies Develop Their Own Regular Feeding Times

Last Updated: August 31, 2009

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Prenatal Tips for Your Newborn

Some babies may like to eat every 3 or 4 hours and some prefer eating more often than that. Newborn babies drink only breast milk or formula. Keeping track of when your baby is hungry may give you an idea of your baby's feeding pattern. It may help to write down the times that your baby eats for several days to see what her pattern of eating is. Newborns change and grow quickly, so a flexible but predictable schedule is best. Remember, your baby may not be hungry every time she is fussy. She may need burping, a diaper change, or may just want to be held.


Learn more about Your Newborn Baby from Just In Time Parenting. You can also go to our Resource Links for additional information on child care and development.


Note to Parents: When reading this newsletter, remember: Every baby is different. Children may do things earlier or later than described here. This newsletter gives equal space and time to both sexes. If he or she is used, we are talking about all babies.
References: These materials were adapted by authors from Extension Just in Time Parenting Newsletters in California, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Tennessee, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, and Wisconsin.

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