Home > Your baby 0 - 3 months > Feeding your baby at 0 - 3 months
Within the first 3 months your baby’s feeding needs will change dramatically. It’s such an intense phase of growth and development that, even when it’s eventually time to establish a routine, your efforts can go right out of the window once they experience a growth spurt! As long as they’re putting on weight, it’s a case of going with the flow, but if you have any questions about your baby’s feeding routine, we’re on hand to help.
Christine, baby feeding advisor and mum
Babies need lots of energy and nutrients - all from milk! Learn about your feeding choices and their changing appetite.
0 - 3 months: how your baby's growing
Your baby is growing before your very eyes! Learn about the physical changes to expect as they gain weight and grow.
0 - 3 months: what your baby's doing
There’s a lot more happening than just feeding and sleeping. Discover the new skills they're quietly learning.
0 - 3 months: what your baby's saying
Learn how your baby expresses their needs and feelings through sounds from day one!
0 - 3 months: what your baby's seeing
Learn how your baby's eyesight is changing, from recognising mum and dad to showing more interest in their surroundings.
0 - 3 months: your baby's bones
Learn how your baby's bones start to change and harden after birth, becoming stronger as they grow.
0 - 3 months: your baby's brain
Sights and sounds all contribute to your baby's early brain development. Learn why good nutrition is important too.
0 - 3 months: your baby’s digestion
Babies need milk little and often and it's common for them to posset. Learn all about their digestion to discover why.
Bathing your baby
Feeling nervous about bath time with your baby? We've got plenty of useful tips and advice to help you feel more relaxed.
Changing a nappy
Nappy changing can take a little practice. We've got plenty of helpful tips and advice to help you prepare.
Breast feeding positions
Unsure about breast feeding positions? We'll help you find one that's right for you and your baby.
Sterilising your feeding equipment
There are a number of ways to sterilise feeding equipment. We've got plenty of practical advice to share with you.
You will no doubt have discussed your feeding options with your midwife by the time your baby arrives. Your newborn baby will get all of their nutritional needs from milk whether you are breastfeeding or bottlefeeding.
Breastfeeding - your newborn baby will need frequent feeds every two to three hours in the early days. This is because breastmilk is very easily digested and their stomachs are quite small. But don’t try to stick to a schedule yet, just feed your baby on demand. They’ll let you know how much they need! Generally, if your baby is feeding well, they will let go of your breast once they’re full. But if you’re worried about whether your baby is getting enough milk, try feeding them more regularly. It’s also worth holding them close to you; if they want to feed they’ll move towards your breasts.
As your baby grows they’ll probably take more milk but less often. At around 6 weeks of age, many babies go through a growth spurt which can mean a hungrier baby for a few days. The feeding schedule you had may go straight out the window! It is worth knowing that this may occur so you can just increase the frequency of the feed and then allow the pattern to settle back after a few days.
If you’re breastfeeding, the more you feed, the more milk you’ll produce, so don’t panic if your baby seems to be guzzling all the time; your body will adapt to cope with their demands.
At 2 months it’s important to keep up the night feeds, especially in the early weeks, as they are essential for your baby’s nutritional requirements and for maintaining your milk supply.
At this stage feeding problems are also common amongst babies, for example, colic occurs in 1 in 4 young babies. It is comforting to know that colicky babies do not have any lasting problems once the colic stops, but it can be very hard to listen to the long periods of crying every day. To discover some tips on soothing a colicky baby, take a look at our article on colic.
Your baby’s nutritional needs are changing as they grow so they will probably be feeding for longer now but might be taking less feeds per day. You should still be guided by your baby but by now a feeding pattern may be starting to show.
At 3 months old your baby may seem much hungrier but don’t be tempted to start weaning as it’s more than likely that they’re going through a growth spurt. It’s important not to confuse this with the real signs of weaning because their digestive system needs time to develop before you introduce solids, however puréed they are! Milk should still be supplying all their nutrients until about 6 months when they start weaning.
Lots of mums feel concerned about whether their baby is getting enough milk and if they’re still hungry after a feed. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly how to tell, as there’s no hard and fast rule but generally, hungry babies tend to cry for a feed more often and will take more when you do offer them their milk.
Did you know?
Your newborn’s tummy is the size of a marble. It’s not surprising then that they need to feed little and often.
