As a new parent, you might find yourself anxious about your newborn feeding schedule. Questions like “How much should a newborn eat?” and “How often do newborns need to eat?” are common concerns.
It’s crucial to provide the right nutrition during this vital growth phase, as babies grow faster in their first year than at any other time in their lives—doubling their birth weight by 5 months and tripling it by the end of the first year.
Whether you choose breast milk or formula, understanding your baby’s nutritional needs is essential.
How Much Breast Milk Should a Newborn Eat?
If you’re wondering how much your newborn should be eating, the general advice is to feed on demand.
According to Dr. Jennifer Trachtenberg, a pediatrician at The Mount Sinai School of Medicine, breastfeeding is a natural and adaptable system.
When your baby suckles, it signals your body to produce the perfect amount of milk for their nutritional requirements.
If your baby experiences a growth spurt and needs more milk, they’ll suckle more, prompting an increase in milk production.
It can be challenging to quantify how much a newborn eats while breastfeeding, but guidelines can help ensure they’re getting enough.
Start by recognizing your baby’s hunger cues, which may include rooting, lip-licking, bringing their hands to their mouth, and fussiness, as noted by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
Feeding Amounts for Breastfeeding
In the first few days post-birth, newborns consume about half an ounce of colostrum (the early form of breast milk) at each feeding.
This gradually increases to 1 to 2 ounces within a few days. By the time your mature breast milk comes in, typically around two weeks, your baby will likely consume 2 to 3 ounces per feeding and can reach 4 to 5 ounces by two months.
A quick formula to estimate how much milk your baby needs is to multiply their weight by 2.5. For example, an 8-pound baby should drink approximately 20 ounces of breast milk daily. However, this calculation is easier to apply if you’re bottle-feeding.
How Often Should a Newborn Eat While Breastfeeding?
Feeding frequency can vary from baby to baby. Newborns typically breastfeed every 2 to 3 hours, which can add up to 8 to 12 times a day.
Each session might take between 20 to 45 minutes or longer. This duration is crucial as the suckling stimulates milk production.
As your baby grows and their stomach capacity increases, they’ll be able to go longer between feedings, reaching about 3 to 4 hours between sessions by two months.
How Much Formula Should a Newborn Eat?
One of the advantages of formula-feeding is the ability to measure each ounce your baby consumes.
However, it can come with its own set of challenges. On average, the formula amount required is about 2.5 times your baby’s weight in pounds, similar to breast milk.
Feeding Amounts for Formula Feeding
In their first week, newborns typically consume 1 to 2 ounces of formula per feeding, gradually increasing to 3 to 4 ounces by the end of their first month.
Expect to increase the feeding amount by about 1 ounce per month until your baby reaches 6 to 8 ounces per feeding, usually around 6 months of age.
Most babies won’t require more than 32 ounces of formula a day, according to the AAP.
If your baby seems consistently hungry after feedings—smacking their lips or fussing—consult your pediatrician.
They may just need to suck, which can be soothed with a pacifier, or they might be ready for solid foods around the 6-month mark.
How Often Should a Newborn Eat While Formula Feeding?
Formula-fed babies generally digest milk more slowly than breastfed babies, which allows for longer intervals between feedings. As a result, formula-fed infants usually eat every 3 to 4 hours.
What If You’re Breastfeeding and Formula-Feeding?
If you are combining breast milk and formula, there are no strict rules for how much or how often to feed.
Aim for at least eight feedings per day of either breast milk or formula, decreasing frequency as your baby grows.
Since both types of milk provide similar nutrition, it’s about finding the right balance that works for you and your baby.
Baby Feeding Chart: How Many Ounces Should Baby Eat?
Still uncertain about how much your newborn should eat? Refer to this helpful feeding chart based on guidelines from the AAP and CDC.
Remember, as your baby approaches 4 to 6 months, you can start introducing solid foods.
This introduction is primarily for exposure to new tastes and textures, with breast milk or formula remaining the main source of nutrition.
The chart provides a general feeding schedule, but be aware that individual feeding patterns may vary.
Signs Baby Is Eating Enough
How often to feed your baby depends largely on their hunger cues. Look for signs like active suckling and audible swallowing during feedings. If they stop suckling and appear relaxed, it’s likely they’re full.
Monitoring your baby’s diapers can also indicate if they’re eating sufficiently. After the first month, expect at least one wet diaper every three to four hours (or five to six wet diapers per day).
Stools may vary, with some babies pooping after each feeding while others may do so once daily. This can depend on whether they primarily consume breast milk or formula.
Ultimately, observing your baby’s behavior and growth is crucial. Regular weight checks will help your pediatrician ensure your baby is thriving.
Typically, babies gain about 0.5 to 1 ounce daily during their first three months. Remember that overall growth patterns are more important than any single measurement. As Dr. Meryl Newman-Cedar emphasizes, your baby’s growth should follow their own curve.
