Newborn care: Should I wake my baby for feedings?

I've read that newborn babies should eat every two to four hours. Should I wake my son to feed him every two to four hours or wait until he wakes up and fusses first?

- Alisha / Kansas

Mayo Clinic pediatrician Jay Hoecker, M.D., and colleagues answer select questions from readers.

Answer

Yes, you should wake him. In the first few days of life, babies lose as much as 10 percent of their birth weight. However, they usually regain this weight by the time they are about 10 days old — sometimes sooner if a newborn is bottle-fed. Until your baby has regained this "lost" weight and demonstrated a steady weight gain of 1 ounce a day, it is best to wake him for feedings every two to four hours. Premature babies often require more frequent feedings for a longer period. So check with your doctor.

After your baby reaches this weight milestone, he will wake and cry when feeding is needed — which is usually every four to six hours, depending on the age and size of your baby.