Newborn Feeding Patterns
Not long now before baby arrives! Once your little one is here, you’ll get to experience that magical first latch—followed by many more. Newborns have tiny stomachs, about the size of a cherry (5-7 mL), which means they’ll need to feed frequently, often in small, snack-like sessions. Their digestive systems are still adjusting, so they’ll give hunger cues like crying, lip smacking, or turning their heads even shortly after feeding.
This is completely normal behavior, but it can feel overwhelming at first. Establishing a feeding routine and planning for your own meals and rest during these early days can make a big difference for your physical and emotional well-being.
Tips for You This Week
- Learn Baby’s Cues: Understanding feeding cues can help reduce stress and make feeding sessions smoother. Watch for rooting, lip smacking, and hand-to-mouth movements.
- Prioritize Rest and Nutrition: Prepare easy-to-eat meals or snacks in advance so you can fuel yourself while caring for baby. Rest whenever possible.
- Expect Cluster Feeding: Newborns may feed back-to-back during certain times of the day. This is normal and helps stimulate milk production.
Build a Support Plan: Whether it’s a partner, family member, or friend, enlist someone to help with household tasks so you can focus on feeding and recovery.
Fun Fact:
A newborn’s stomach grows rapidly in the first few days, expanding from the size of a cherry on Day 1 to the size of a walnut by Day 3 and a ping-pong ball by Day 10! This is why their feeding patterns adjust so quickly during the first weeks.
