Most newborn babies need to eat every 2 to 3 hours in the first few weeks of life. However, when babies reach 4-6 weeks of age, they often start naturally spacing out their feedings and can go 4 hours between feeds. This is an important milestone, as it shows babies are able to take in more milk at each feeding and their tummies can hold larger amounts. When babies reach this point, parents may notice longer stretches of sleep at night as well.
What is the normal frequency for newborn feedings?
In the early days after birth, newborns need to eat very frequently, generally every 2-3 hours around the clock. This equals about 8-12 times in 24 hours. Newborns have tiny bellies that can only hold 1-2 ounces at a time. Frequent feeding helps them get the nutrition they need to grow and develop. It also helps establish a healthy milk supply for breastfeeding mothers. The frequency helps stimulate the breasts to produce more milk.
While every baby is different, a typical feeding schedule for a newborn is:
- Feed on demand whenever showing early hunger cues like sucking noises, rooting, etc.
- Breastfeed about 8-12 times per day.
- Formula feed about 8-10 times per day.
- Go no longer than 2-3 hours during the day between feeds.
- Have 1 or 2 longer sleep stretches, usually at night, of 3-4 hours.
New parents should watch for signs of hunger and feed their newborn whenever they are showing cues. Crying is a late sign of hunger, so try to feed before the baby becomes distressed. Feed on demand, rather than on a strict schedule.
When do feedings start spacing out?
Around 4-6 weeks, babies will start lasting a bit longer between feeds. Their stomach capacity grows and they become more efficient at feeding, allowing them to take in more milk at each feeding. At this point, babies may go 3-4 hours between feeds during the day and have one longer sleep stretch of 4-5 hours at night.
Signs your baby may be ready for longer intervals between feeds:
- Having longer naps during the day.
- Going 3-4 hours between feeds during the day.
- Sleeping 4-5 hour stretches at night.
- Seeming satisfied after feeding.
- Gaining weight appropriately.
While 4 hours between feeds is common at this age, some babies will achieve this milestone sooner and some later. Premature babies may take longer. Every baby is different, so continue feeding on demand but watch for these signs your baby is ready to naturally space out feedings.
Daytime Feedings
Around 4-6 weeks, it is common for babies to start going 3-4 hours between feeds during the day. However, some babies, especially breastfed babies, will still feed more frequently. Feed on demand, watching baby for hunger cues. But expect that baby can likely last 3-4 hours during the day without becoming overly hungry.
Nighttime Feedings
Many parents look forward to that first longer stretch of sleep at night! Around 4-6 weeks old, babies will often start spacing out night feeds as well, giving one stretch of 4-5 hours sleep. After this first long stretch, expect the baby will need to feed a couple more times overnight.
While not all babies will sleep this long this early, it is a positive sign of development when they can go 4-5 hours stretching out a night feeding. Make sure baby is gaining weight well and discuss with your pediatrician.
Why do feedings space out at this age?
There are a few reasons babies are able to go longer between feeding around 4-6 weeks old:
- Bigger stomach capacity – Babies’ stomachs grow as they mature, allowing them to take in more milk at each feed. This keeps them satisfied longer.
- More efficient feeding – Babies get better at feeding, latching on better and extracting milk more efficiently. This helps them get more milk faster.
- Need less calories – Around 6 weeks, babies’ calorie needs start to stabilize. They no longer need to eat quite as frequently to meet those needs.
- Developing sleep/wake cycles – Babies start developing more predictable periods of sleep and wakefulness, allowing them to go longer between feeds.
All these factors work together to help babies start spacing out feedings around this age. It’s an important developmental milestone.
Tips for handling 4 hour feeds
When your baby starts going 4 hours between feeds, try these tips:
- Watch baby’s cues – feed on demand when showing early signs of hunger like rooting or sucking motions.
- Wake baby to feed if they sleep longer than 4-5 hours, until weight gain is established.
- Extend daytime feeds if baby seems hungrier.
- Take advantage of the longer night sleep!
- Tell your pediatrician at your next visit.
- Offer a pacifier when it’s not quite time to eat.
- Provide plenty of stimulation and play during awake periods.
While 4 hours between feeds is great progress, babies this young still need to eat frequently. Make sure your baby is gaining weight appropriately and discuss their feeding schedule with your pediatrician.
When to watch for issues
Contact your pediatrician if:
- Your baby is not gaining weight well.
- You are breastfeeding and more than 4 hours between feeds decreases your milk supply.
- Your baby sleeps longer than 4-5 hours but wakes up hungry and irritable.
- Your baby falls asleep and won’t wake up to eat after 4 hours.
- Your baby won’t eat after sleeping 4+ hours.
While spacing out feeds is normal developmental progress, make sure your baby continues gaining weight appropriately and that feedings don’t get spaced too far apart.
FAQs
What if my breastfed baby won’t go 4 hours between feeds?
Some breastfed babies, especially in the early weeks, will need to feed more frequently than every 4 hours. This is normal, as breast milk digests faster. Feed on demand, allowing baby to nurse at least 8-12 times per day. The frequent feeding helps maintain your milk supply as well.
Why does my 4 week old wake up to eat after only 3 hours at night?
Some babies will continue needing night feeds every 3 hours until closer to 6 weeks old. Growth spurts can also cause them to need extra feedings. Make sure baby is gaining weight well and eat when showing cues at night. If sleeping too long between feeds, try adding in a “dream feed” before you go to bed.
What if my baby goes 6 hours between feeds, is that OK?
At 4-6 weeks old, most babies still need to feed at least every 4-5 hours, especially during the day. Going 6 hours between feeds risks baby becoming overly hungry. Try waking baby to feed after 4-5 hour stretches if needed until weight gain is established.
How do I get my baby on a 4 hour feeding schedule?
It’s best not to put a young baby on a strict schedule. Feed on demand when they show hunger cues. Around 4-6 weeks, babies will naturally start going about 4 hours between feeds on their own. Forcing a schedule too soon can lead to poor weight gain.
Should I wake my 4 week old for night feeds?
Once babies reach 4-6 weeks, it’s usually fine to allow one longer sleep stretch of 4-5 hours at night if they sleep that long. However, you’ll still want to wake them if they exceed 5 hours through the night to feed until consistent weight gain is established.
Conclusion
Going 4 hours between feeding is an important milestone that shows babies around 4-6 weeks old are maturing. Their stomach capacity increases, they get better at feeding, and need less frequent calories at this point. While all babies progress differently, be on the lookout for this pattern as a sign your baby is developing well. Enjoy those longer sleep stretches at night! But make sure to follow your pediatrician’s guidance on ensuring adequate weight gain and nutrition.