Newborn feeding pattern

[ladymelo]

When baby was first born we were advised to feed every three hours due to jaundice, even if he was asleep to wake him for a feed. Now it's gone were feeding him when he's hungry which is around about three hours (apart from at night). My question is would do you keep to the same hours of feeding in the day? A few friends of mine will be regimented and feed at 8am 11am 2pm 5pm 8pm etc ... I've not kept to a routine like this and fed when baby tells me he's hungry which does differ every day e.g. 7.30am 1030am and so on and then some days 6am 9am etc would I need to keep to a more of a routine?

There's no need to keep to a routine if you don't want to. If you are breastfeeding, feeding on demand is recommended to establish supply.

My "newborn feeding pattern" was shove a boob in every time they squeaked as I didn't know what else to do.

Worked fine :)

You don't need to keep to a routine if you don't want to, and tbh with bf it's all but impossible unless you're going to let the baby scream for milk until it's time for a feed, or try and force them to feed when not hungry. They do evolve into a rough routine eventually.

Were you advised to feed every three hours for the jaundice, or at least every three hours?

I'm no longer breast feeding due to various reasons so now formula feeding would it be the case with formula too?

Midwives advised to feed every three hours when I was breast feeding?!

It's best to feed according to the baby's hunger cues at this stage. When they are so tiny they will often cluster feed in the evenings, and frequently have days where you seem to do nothing but feed. This is totally normal and helps establish a good milk supply.

Sorry just noticed you are using formula - still best to feed according to demand, not the clock. Google on responsive bottle feeding for some good tips.

I'd do what suits your personality / lifestyle. I fed by the clock and it worked brilliantly for all of us. It wouldn't have worked for lots of people I know - depends how you're wired.