How Much Should a Newborn Eat? Feeding Amounts by Week

Figuring out how much your newborn should eat is one of the first challenges of parenthood. Whether you are breastfeeding, formula feeding, or doing a combination of both, it helps to have a general idea of what to expect during those early weeks.

The amounts below are general guidelines. Every baby is different, and your pediatrician is the best person to advise you on your baby's specific needs.

Understanding Newborn Stomach Size

One of the most helpful things to know as a new parent is just how small a newborn's stomach really is. On day one, it is roughly the size of a marble and holds about 5 to 7 milliliters. By day three, it is closer to the size of a ping-pong ball. By the end of the first week, it is about the size of a large egg.

This is why newborns eat such small amounts but eat so often. Their stomachs simply cannot hold very much at once, and breast milk and formula digest relatively quickly.

Week 1 to 2

The first two weeks are all about establishing feeding and helping your baby regain their birth weight. Most babies lose some weight in the first few days and typically regain it by around 10 to 14 days.

• Formula-fed babies: About 1 to 2 ounces per feeding, every 2 to 3 hours, for a total of roughly 8 to 12 feeds per day.
• Breastfed babies: Feed on demand, which is usually every 1.5 to 3 hours. In the first days, your body produces colostrum in small amounts, which is exactly what your baby needs.

If your baby has not regained their birth weight by two weeks, talk to your pediatrician.

Week 3 to 4

By the third and fourth week, most babies are eating a bit more at each feeding and may start to go slightly longer between sessions.

• Formula-fed babies: About 2 to 3 ounces per feeding, every 3 to 4 hours.
• Breastfed babies: Nursing sessions may become somewhat shorter as milk supply is better established. Expect about 8 to 10 feeds per day.

Growth spurts are common around the 3-week mark. Your baby may want to feed more frequently for a day or two. This is normal and usually passes quickly.

Week 5 to 8

By this stage, feeding often starts to feel a bit more predictable. Your baby is growing rapidly and taking in more at each feed.

• Formula-fed babies: About 3 to 4 ounces per feeding, every 3 to 4 hours. Daily intake often totals around 24 to 32 ounces.
• Breastfed babies: About 7 to 9 sessions per day. You may notice your baby seems more efficient at the breast, finishing feeds more quickly.

Another common growth spurt happens around the 6-week mark, so do not be surprised if your baby suddenly seems hungrier than usual for a few days.

Breastfeeding vs. Formula Differences

One important thing to understand is that breastfed and formula-fed babies can have different feeding patterns, and both are completely normal.

Breastfed babies tend to eat more frequently because breast milk is digested faster than formula. They may also vary the amount they take from feed to feed more than formula-fed babies do. With breastfeeding, it is harder to measure exact ounces, which is why tracking the number and duration of feeds can be helpful.

Formula-fed babies may go slightly longer between feeds and take more consistent amounts. It is important to follow the preparation instructions on the formula packaging and to use paced bottle feeding to help your baby eat at a comfortable pace.

Signs Your Baby Is Getting Enough

Since you cannot always measure exactly how much a breastfed baby is eating, look for these signs that your baby is getting the nutrition they need:

• Wet diapers: After the first week, at least 6 wet diapers per day.
• Bowel movements: Regular stools, though the frequency can vary quite a bit between babies.
• Weight gain: Steady gain after the initial drop. Your pediatrician tracks this at checkups.
• Contentment: Your baby seems satisfied and relaxed after most feeds.
• Alertness: Active and alert during awake periods.

If you notice your baby is unusually sleepy, hard to wake for feeds, or not producing enough wet diapers, contact your pediatrician.

Tracking Feeds in the Early Weeks

In the blur of the newborn period, keeping track of feeds can feel like a lot. But having a record of when and how much your baby eats is incredibly useful, especially when talking to your pediatrician or when you are too tired to remember when the last feed was.

With Remi, tracking is as simple as saying what happened. No complicated forms or menus to navigate while you are holding a baby in one arm. Just a quick voice note, and it is logged.