The first question on the minds of new parents, one of the most important questions that you will have to manage, is how much your newborn baby will eat? Knowing how many ounces of milk — breast milk or formula — is ideal can feel daunting, especially with all the conflicting advice that exists out there. But don’t worry, you are not alone in this. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the most important question on every new parent’s mind, “How many ounces should a newborn eat?” and offer an all-in-one feeding guide helping you to feel secure in your baby’s nutrition.
Whether you’re breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, or doing a combination of both, understanding how much your newborn should eat and whether they’re thriving will help them flourish and grow at a healthy pace.
Table of Contents
1.Feeding Newborns: A Key to Their Health and Well-being
2.How Much Should a Newborn Eat During Those First Few Days?
3.Feeding a Newborn: Birth Through 2 Weeks
4.Newborn Feeding Schedule (2 Weeks to 1 Month)
5.How Many Meals Should a 2-Month-Old Baby Have?
6.Managing Your Child’s Milk Intake: Breastfeeding vs. Formula Feeding
7.Understanding Cues of Hunger: Why You Don’t Want to Install “The Food Police”
8.Feeding Challenges and Solutions: The Most Common Reasons
9.FAQ: Every Question You Have About Feeding Newborns, Answered
10.Final Thoughts: Keeping Your Baby on a Healthy Feeding Schedule
1.Feeding in Newborns: The Need for Appropriate Feeding
Their metabolisms are ramped way up and their stomachs are so small, so babies need regular nutrition. In the first three months, feed not only hunger; it also promotes critical growth and development. Feeding correctly in those early days provides a foundation for your baby’s physical, cognitive and emotional development.
Every baby is different, so be sure to listen to your baby’s hunger cues and feeding patterns. However, there are guidelines to follow that can help ensure your baby’s getting enough nourishment. Here’s a guide on how much to feed your newborn at different points in their development.
2.How Much Should My Newborn Eat in the First Few Days?
Newborns often only need 1 to 2 ounces of feed in the first few days after birth. It may sound like a small volume, but your baby’s stomach is tiny, about the size of a marble. Immediately after birth, your body produces colostrum (the first milk), which is nutrient-dense but in small quantities, making it ideal for your baby’s needs in the first few days.
Day 1 to Day 3
Breastfed babies: Usually nursed every 2-3 hours but the amount they drink can vary. In the beginning, they might drink about 1/2 oz (15 ml) at each feed.
For formula-fed babies: You can try about 1 to 2 ounces per feeding. This tends to grow with the individual and the stomach capacity.
Discover days of growth and come across your baby’s directed milk intake will be starting to increase by the third day. You’ll find that their feeding time might be longer and they might be able to tolerate more milk.
3.Birth to 2 Weeks — Newborn Feeding
As your newborn moves through the transition from colostrum to mature milk their feeding needs increase. In the first couple of weeks, an average newborn will suck down 2 to 3 ounces each feeding. At this point, you may have observed that your baby is still feeding on demand — every 2 to 3 hours during the day, with longer stretches possible at night.
Feeding a Newborn in Weeks 1 to 2:
Breastfed babies: They may eat more as the breast milk comes in bigger supply and they also feed for longer.
Formula-fed babies: You can expect the amount to go up to about 2-3 ounces each feeding, and the frequency will probably still be around 8-12 times a day.
Sample Newborn Feeding Schedule for the First 2 Weeks:
Age
Amount per Feed
Frequency
Days 1-3
1-2 ounces
Every 2-3 hours
Days 4-7
2-3 ounces
Every 2-3 hours
Week 2
2-3 ounces
Every 2-3 hours
4.Feeding Schedule for Newborns (2week to 1 Month)
At 2 weeks old, your baby’s stomach has expanded slightly, so they can begin to take a little more milk during each feed. At this point, your baby will likely drink around 3-4 ounces of milk at a time. They will continue to feed approximately every 8-12 times per 24-hour period, but may start to stretch longer between feeds at night.
Feeding Your Newborn Age 2 to 4 Weeks:
For breastfed babies: As babies mature, they may breastfeed for a longer period of time, or they may nurse more often.
Formula-fed babies: Now eating 3–4 ounces every 3 to 4 hours.
For example, here is a feeding schedule from 2 to 4 weeks:
Age
Amount per Feed
Frequency
2 Weeks
3-4 ounces
Every 3-4 hours
3-4 Weeks
3-4 ounces
Every 3-4 hours
How Many Ounces Should a 2-Month-Old Eat?
When your baby is 2 months old, their feeding needs will be far more predictable. Typical feed amounts per session for a 2-month-old baby will be about 4-5 ounces. As we explained before, your baby’s stomach is expanding, so great, they’ll begin to eat less often—every 4 hours during the day and maybe another stretch of 5-6 hours at night.
5.How Much Should a 2-Month-Old Eat?
When breastfeeding: They will still nurse when they want to but if they are older they may not need to nurse at all.
Formula fed babies: Expect to feed your baby 4-5 ounces every 4 hours, totaling 24-32 ounces of formula in a 24 hour period.
Feeding Schedule for 2-Month-Olds Example:
Age
Amount per Feed
Frequency
2 Months
4-5 ounces
Every 4 hours
6.Breast Milk vs. Formula Feeding: Tracking Your Baby’s Intake
Both breastfeeding and formula feeding are valid choices and can provide what your baby needs nutritionally. Here’s a quick guide to help you decide how much your baby is eating:
Breastfeeding: It’s more difficult to know precisely how much your baby is getting, but if your baby is gaining weight and your baby has wet diapers regularly, they are likely well-fed.
Formula feeding: It is easier to keep track of how much formula your baby is taking. Formula-fed infants average 2-3 ounces per feeding during the initial weeks, with amounts eventually reaching 4-5 ounces by the time they are two months old.
Concerned that your baby isn’t eating enough? Check with your pediatrician or a lactation consultant, who can help you evaluate your baby’s needs.
Interpreting Indicates for Appetite: The Way to Inform When Your Toddler Is Full
Your baby may not yet be able to speak, but they can definitely speak through their actions. Understanding what it feels like when your newborn is hungry and what it feels like when they are full will help guide you and prevent overfeeding or underfeeding.
7.Hunger Cues:
Rooting (turn head and open mouth)
Alternative styles suck on their hands or fingers
Making sucking noises
Fullness Cues:
Refusing the breast or bottle by turning their head away
Decrease sucking or stop sucking
Pulling your foot on rainy void // closing their mouth or becoming distracted
Being aware of these cues will enable you to react to your little one’s needs without making your baby eat more than they want.
8.Frequent Feeding Issues and Their Solutions
Getting a newborn to eat is not always easy. Many parents encounter bumps in the road. Here are some common problems and suggestions:
Gassiness or fussiness: Burp your baby often during and after feeds to minimize discomfort.
Nipple confusion (for combination-feeding parents): If your baby is having trouble switching between the breast and bottle, try introducing a bottle with a slower-flow nipple or pump breast milk.
Sleep problems: Overfeeding or underfeeding may interfere with your baby’s sleep routine. Monitor what they’re eating and ensure they’re consuming enough in the daytime.
9.FAQ: Everything You Need to Know About Feeding Your Newborn
Q1: How can I tell if my baby is getting enough to eat?
A: Signs include weight gain, lots of wet diapers and general satisfaction after feeds.
Q2: What is the recommended frequency of feeding a newborn?
A: In those early weeks, newborns tend to eat every 2-3 hours, but this is not universal.
Q3: Is it possible to overfeed my newborn?
A: It’s hard to overfeed a newborn, as their stomachs are tiny. “The goal of responsive feeding is to watch for these cues to avoid overfeeding.
Q4: Do I need to wake a newborn to feed?
A: You will want to make sure to feed your baby every 2-3 hours in the first few weeks, even if they’re sleeping. Beyond that, your pediatrician will recommend when it is appropriate to allow longer stretches of sleep.
Final Thoughts: How to Feed Your Baby Right
Feeding your baby is how they will grow to be strong and healthy. No matter how you’re feeding your baby, the most important thing is to listen to your baby and adapt to their hunger cues and growth. Although guidelines can serve as good directions, every baby is more individual than the last and their requirements may alter day to day. With patience, observation, and support, you can know your baby is getting the right amount of nutrition to grow strong and healthy.
