Swaddle
In the first weeks, a feeding “schedule” is really a rhythm set by your baby. Newborns have tiny stomachs and grow fast, so they eat often, day and night. Here is what is typical, and how to tell your baby is getting enough.
How often newborns eat
| Breastfed | Formula-fed | |
|---|---|---|
| First days | 8-12+ times in 24 h | Every 2-3 hours |
| Weeks 1-4 | 8-12 times in 24 h (every 2-3 hours) | Every 3-4 hours |
| 1-2 months | 7-9 times in 24 h | Every 3-4 hours |
Time between feeds is counted from the start of one feed to the start of the next. So “every 2 to 3 hours” might mean only an hour or so of break after a long feed.
How much newborns eat
| Age | Per feed (formula or pumped milk) |
|---|---|
| Day 1-2 | About 0.5-1 oz (15-30 mL) |
| Day 3-7 | About 1-2 oz (30-60 mL) |
| Weeks 2-4 | About 2-4 oz (60-120 mL) |
| 1-2 months | About 4-5 oz (120-150 mL) |
Breastfed babies regulate their own intake, so you will not usually know the ounces. Use our formula calculator or breast milk calculator for bottles.
A sample first-month day
This is only one example. Real days are messier, and evenings often bring cluster feeding.
- 6:00 am feed, diaper, back to sleep
- 8:30 am feed, short awake time
- 11:00 am feed
- 1:30 pm feed
- 4:00 pm feed
- 6:00 pm and 7:30 pm cluster feeds
- 10:00 pm feed
- 1:00 am feed
- 3:30 am feed
Hunger cues
Feed when you see early cues, before crying:
- Early: stirring, opening the mouth, turning the head to look for the breast (rooting)
- Active: hands to mouth, sucking on fists, smacking lips, fidgeting
- Late: crying, frantic movements. Calm your baby first, then feed.
How to know they are getting enough
- Enough wet and dirty diapers for their age
- Back to birth weight by about 10 to 14 days, then steady gain
- Content for a while after most feeds
- You can hear swallowing during breastfeeds
When to call your pediatrician
Call if your baby is too sleepy to wake for feeds, feeds poorly, has fewer wet diapers, has yellow skin or eyes that are getting worse, vomits forcefully, or if you are worried about feeding at all.