How Often Do Babies Need to Eat During the Night?

Breastfed Babies

• During the first several months of your breastfed baby's life -- up until he's able to sleep through the night without a feeding -- you can expect to nurse him at least a few times per night. According to KidsHealth, a breastfed newborn will need to feed 8 to 12 times per day. Even if you feed him just before going to bed and again first thing in the morning, you'll likely need to nurse him at least three or four times during the night. After his first month, his stomach will be able to hold more and he'll need to be fed slightly less often, or about seven to nine times per day. No two babies are the same, so while one 2-month-old might only need one overnight feeding, another might require three. During these first few months, don't let him go more than 4 hours without nursing.

Formula-fed Babies

• A formula-fed baby tends to eat more than one who's breastfed, and as such, generally doesn't need to eat quite as frequently. According to HealthyChildren.org, your formula-fed little one should develop a fairly consistent eating routine within the first few days of life. Expect a typical baby to need to eat every 3 to 4 hours, meaning you'll likely need to feed him only one or two times during the night. However, if he doesn't eat much at a time he might need more frequent feedings. Expect your baby to drink 2 to 3 ounces of formula at a time during his first few weeks, 4 ounces at a time by the end of his first month and to gradually increase his intake from there. If in his first several months your formula-fed baby doesn't wake up on his own for night feedings, wake him after five hours, suggests HealthyChildren.org.

Sleeping Through the Night

• Though it may seem you'll never again be well-rested, your baby will start sleeping through the night eventually. By 3 months, he may be able to sleep 10 hours at night with only one or two wakings, says KidsHealth. Some babies this age will even sleep for a full 6 or 7 hours without waking up at all. This rest will be a relief for you, but it's always wise to talk to your pediatrician about your baby's sleep; if he's underweight, she might advise you continue waking him for night feedings. It's impossible to predict when your infant will sleep for a full 9 or more hours without waking. Some infants will do so at 6 months. According to the National Sleep Foundation, 70 to 80 percent of babies sleep through the night by 9 months of age.

Handling Night Feedings

• Despite your zombie walk and blurry eyes, night feedings can be blissful. Keep everything you need set up at your nighttime feeding area, whether that's a rocking chair in your baby's room or your own bed. A nursing pillow for baby and back and neck pillows for you, a low lamp or bright nightlight and burping cloth should always be within reach of your spot. This is a prime chance for bonding, but it shouldn't be play time for your little one; remain as quiet and non-stimulating as possible to help him learn that night is for sleeping. Everything you do should be geared toward comforting him and getting him back to sleep. Take this tip from AskDrSears.com: change your infant's diaper before his feeding (unless he tends to poop immediately after eating). If he dozes off while eating, you won't have to disturb him for a diaper change.