#asktheexperts what is the best feeding pattern for babies. feed every 2hrs or feed when baby is hungry?

A. you must feed the baby every 2 hours at this stage. sometimes it may be sooner than 2 hours. that is also ok as they drink very little each time. eat well and frequently breastfeed. From birth to 15 days baby needs 10-12 feeds per day. From 15 days to 2 months : switch to demand feeding. before you plan the next feed watch out for feeding cues like moving lips, making suckling movements, rooting, getting agitated and finally crying. Feed every 2-3 hrs for 25-45 min per feed. If baby sleeps awaken him to complete it. From 2 months to 6 months: 8-10 feeds per day. Each feed for 15-25 min. Your baby's tummy is growing and can hold more milk. Baby can feed faster also now. At this age baby will be more playful so try and feed in a quiet room to encourage the baby to complete the feed. At 6 months plus : Start with one semi solid meal at a time.  This means that you will be eliminating only one breast feed at a time as BM is still the chief source of nutrition to the baby. At 9 months plus 50% of the nutrition must be from solids and the remaining 50% from breast milk. At 12 months plus baby must have 4-5 solids meals and the rest should be breast milk.