You may need to wake the baby every 3–4 hours for feeding during the first weeks, especially if the baby has not regained birth weight. Later, you can let the baby wake naturally once they begin to gain weight steadily.
Frequent feeds are important not just to satisfy the baby’s hunger, but also to help increase the mother’s milk supply.
Crying is a late sign of hunger; pay attention to early hunger cues such as lip-smacking, sucking hands, or increased movement during sleep.
If your baby is premature (born before term) and does not show clear hunger signs, consult your doctor to determine an appropriate feeding plan.