Newborn Feeding Patterns

by Lo Mansfield

07/11/2023

The first week with a newborn can feel a little wild, right? Though NO newborn is perfectly predictable, there is a little bit of a “pattern” to the ways they feed the first few days and knowing these newborn tips might help you feel a little more ready when you’re in it.

✛ First 24 Hours: The Birthday Nap
Many babies come out, eat well once or twice and then crash. They can be super sleepy - and yes we want them eating every 2-3 hours. Just keep waking them and trying!

✛ 24-48 Hours: The Second Night
This night can be SO hard (I teach about it often). You may think you’re doing something wrong - but you’re not. Baby has simply “woken up,” your milk is not quite in yet, and they probably will not leave the boob or your skin. Keep feeding. Keep trying. Take shifts if you can. This will pass.

✛ 48-96 Hours: All Day Buffet
Days 3 and 4 baby is probably eating very often/cluster feeding. Transitional milk is often in (the milk between colostrum and mature milk) and that baby wants to be on the breast and getting it. All day and all night.

✛ Days 5+: The Night Owl
For some, milk comes in towards the end of the week. Our babies enjoy eating all night and being awake all day. Eventually, these rhythms adjust, but it takes some time.

I really want you to know about the first few days because it can often feel like something is wrong. Usually - there isn’t. The baby is intended to be on the breast “helping” our milk come in. Until you see signs that baby isn’t getting enough (poor output, weight loss, unresolved uric acid crystals, etc.) try to trust your body and your baby and while you figure it out together.

👉🏼 By the end of the first week, you may feel like you can take a bit of a breath. But also know that day/night confusion, cluster feeding, irregular rhythms - it’ll all continue. You’re going to get better and better at all of this - and so will they. ♥️

Do you remember any of these? Which one?