An infant feeding schedule template you can hand over
By The Baby Care Cards teamUpdated 4 min read
Short answer
A usable feeding schedule lists each feed by clock time with an exact amount in ounces or grams, names the formula or food and where it is stored, states any snack allowance, lists foods to avoid, and says what to do if the baby does not feed. Amounts should never be described as "a bit" or "however much they want."
Feeding is the instruction a babysitter follows most often, so it is worth making it precise.
The template
- Feed 1 — time — formula/food — amount — with or without medication
- Feed 2 — time — formula/food — amount
- Snacks — which ones — maximum per day
- Water — cup or bottle — how much is normal
- Foods to avoid — including known allergens and choking hazards
- If they do not feed — what to try, and when to call you
Use measurable amounts
Ounces or millilitres are best. If you use a scoop for formula, say exactly how many scoops per ounce of water and whether they are level.
Pre-portion for an evening out
Pre-measuring formula into containers, or pre-portioning solid meals, removes every possible mistake and lets you see at a glance whether feeds were given.
Multi-child households
Say which child eats what, especially if one has an allergy. Note which foods must never cross between children's plates.
When a baby will not feed
Give one simple fallback, such as trying again in twenty minutes, and a clear threshold for calling you or the pediatrician. A baby who refuses two feeds in a row, or seems unusually sleepy, needs a call.
Frequently asked questions
- Should I introduce a new food before leaving my baby with a sitter?
- No. Introduce new foods when you are present, in case of an allergic reaction, and keep the diet familiar while a sitter is in charge.
- How do I handle a baby who feeds on demand rather than a schedule?
- Give a daily total range and typical spacing between feeds, and ask the sitter to note times and amounts as they go, so you still know how much was taken.