Scheduled vs. On-Demand Feedings
Knowing the Difference and Finding Balance When Nursing Your Baby
It’s fascinating how parenting theories and opinions can evolve over time. For example, for decades, parenting books suggested scheduled feedings as key for ensuring well-fed babies and confident parents. However, evidence-based research now highlights the benefits of on-demand feeding for both parents and babies. In this blog post, we’ll address the difference between scheduled feedings and on-demand feedings, as well as the importance of striking a balance that works for you and your little one.
Before we dive in, let’s clarify what sets scheduled feedings apart from on-demand feedings. Scheduled feedings are typically spread out over the course of a day in specific increments, such as once every three hours. Babies are often encouraged to nurse for a consistent length of time, or perhaps they are provided with a bottle that they are expected to finish during the feeding.
On-demand feeding is more open-ended. As its name implies, babies are offered the breast or bottle any time they exhibit signs of hunger, regardless of when or how much/little they last ate. On-demand feeding helps babies to trust their innate instincts when they’re feeling hungry. If you’re practicing on-demand feeding with your baby, you will likely be looking out for one or more of the following cues as signs that they’re ready to eat:
“Rooting”, a newborn behavior that involves turning their head and attempting to suckle
Rubbing their stomach
Opening and closing their mouth
Touching their mouth
Putting fingers or other objects inside their mouth
Licking their lips
Note that crying is also a feeding cue, but it’s typically a “late stage” cue that babies resort to if other, earlier cues haven’t been noticed. While it’s nearly impossible to note every single cue prior to crying - especially for night feedings - growing more attuned to your baby’s cues will increase the number of times they can start eating before becoming frustrated, resulting in a more pleasant feeding experience for both of you.
The other part of feeding on demand is knowing when to stop. Caregivers often get concerned if a baby doesn’t finish a bottle or appears to nurse less than they did at a previous feeding time. It’s important to normalize letting babies stop eating when they’re full, as this is a crucial skill they will need to carry into adulthood.
Obviously there are exceptions to this rule. If your baby is rapidly losing weight, has stopped wetting their diapers, or exhibits other concerning behaviors or symptoms, don’t hesitate to reach out to your pediatrician to see if there is an underlying issue. However, healthy babies who have simply had their fill of milk may exhibit one or more of the following cues:
Pushing away the breast or bottle
Closing their mouths
Becoming increasingly more distracted
Falling asleep
Fidgeting
On-demand feeding is not a new or unresearched concept. In fact, it is encouraged by The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The AAP has even coined the term “you provide, your baby decides”, meaning that parents and caregivers should trust their babies to know when they’re hungry AND when they’re full. The AAP also created this helpful video that explains responsive feeding as it applies to both breast and bottle feeding. https://youtu.be/Ha16Hvoh6c4?si=wrjTvscjy0m6RB3P
While on-demand feeding is a great goal, it is of course not always feasible. Many caregivers work during the day, and childcare centers tend to be more schedule-oriented. Sometimes emergencies or illnesses come up that require you to be away from your baby during typical on-demand feeding stretches. On other occasions, a medical professional may encourage scheduled feedings if they are concerned about calorie intake or other health issues. In these circumstances, it may be necessary to find a balance between scheduled feedings and continuing to pay attention to your baby’s cues when you’re together.
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As with all parenting decisions, the bottom line is to take advantage of the resources and professional support available and then figure out a routine that works for you and your baby. As parents, we’re all doing the best we can. If you find a plan that works with your baby’s needs and personality and leaves you both feeling comfortable and happy, then go with it! And if you need support, IBCLCs like me are always here to help.