When to Switch From On-Demand to Scheduled Feeding

There is no doubt that on-demand feeding can be really tiring for mums. Yet research now indicates that it is also beneficial for babies at least up to six months old. So determining when to make the switch from on-demand to scheduled feeding is important for many families.

On-demand feeding

Babies have actually been fed on demand for most of human history. And research conducted in non-Western societies has found that babies were and still are fed with this strategy.

It was, in fact, only in recent years that some experts decided that on-demand feeding was not the way to go. Instead, they advocated set meal times to encourage babies to sleep through the night as early as possible. The idea was that this was better for mums, because they reported feeling less tired and stressed as a result.

Yet new research shows that feeding on demand makes babies feel more secure, less stressed and can even lead to better cognitive outcomes, including higher IQs. And scheduled feeding at an early age has now been linked with the possibility of poorer nutrition, as human breast milk is actually found to become richer and more nutritious when demanded frequently by a baby.

Scheduled feeding

While perhaps not best for your baby in the early months, there does comes a time when scheduled feeding becomes necessary. Some experts recommend that the best time to switch from on-demand to scheduled feeding is when you introduce your baby to solid foods. This is because when your baby starts on solid foods many families begin to have their baby join them in a highchair at set mealtimes. Of course, your baby may still require the breast or bottle on demand, but introducing your little one to the idea of an eating routine is a good idea at this stage. Not only does it make life easier for mum, but it also gives your baby a sense of security, because they’ll know that they can always count on being fed at these times.

When babies are around 6 months old and transitioning to solids, it is often most effective to offer them the breast or bottle first and solids second. Then, when you’re ready to start the full transition to solids, switch the process and offer the solids first and the breast or bottle second. Eventually the second option will no longer be necessary.

What has been your experience with on-demand and scheduled feeding?

Important Notice

Thanks for reading our blog. We hope you found this information interesting.

• The World Health Organisation recommends that breastfeeding is best for your baby.

• Having a balanced diet when breastfeeding is also important. Baby formulas should only be used after you’ve sought advice from a doctor or health practitioner.

• A decision not to breastfeed can be difficult to reverse and introducing partial bottle feeding will reduce the supply of breast milk. It is also wise to consider the cost of infant formula.

• If you use infant formula, all preparation and feeding instructions must be followed as per the manufacturer’s instructions. This is important for your baby’s health.