How Much Should Your Baby Eat? A Feeding Guide by Age
"Is my baby getting enough to eat?" It's one of the most common worries new parents have—and for good reason. Your baby can't tell you if they're satisfied, and what comes out the other end is a poor gauge of what went in. Let's break down what normal feeding looks like and how to know your baby is getting what they need.
Understanding Your Baby's Stomach Size
Here's something that helps put feeding in perspective—your newborn's stomach is remarkably tiny: AAP
| Age | Stomach Size | Approximate Capacity |
|-----|-------------|---------------------|
| Day 1 | Cherry | 5-7 mL (1-1.5 tsp) |
| Day 3 | Walnut | 22-27 mL (0.75-1 oz) |
| Week 1 | Apricot | 45-60 mL (1.5-2 oz) |
| 1 Month | Large egg | 80-150 mL (2.5-5 oz) |
This explains why newborns need to eat so frequently—their tiny stomachs empty quickly and need constant refilling.
Feeding Guidelines by Age
### Newborn (0-2 Weeks)
Breastfed babies: AAP
- Feed 8-12 times per 24 hours (every 2-3 hours)
- Sessions typically last 10-20 minutes per breast
- Nurse on demand—don't watch the clock
- Frequent feeding helps establish milk supply
Formula-fed babies: AAP
- Start with 1-2 ounces per feeding
- Feed every 2-3 hours
- By end of week one: 2-3 ounces per feeding
- Don't force baby to finish a bottle
### 2 Weeks to 2 Months
Breastfed babies:
- Still feeding 8-12 times per day
- May go slightly longer between some feeds
- Should be back to birth weight by 2 weeks
- One longer sleep stretch (4-5 hours) at night is fine
Formula-fed babies:
- 3-4 ounces per feeding
- 6-8 feedings per day
- Total: approximately 24-32 ounces per day
### 2-4 Months
Breastfed babies: AAP
- Feeding patterns become more predictable
- 7-9 feedings per day is typical
- May cluster feed in evenings
- Growth spurts around 3 weeks, 6 weeks, and 3 months may increase demand
Formula-fed babies:
- 4-6 ounces per feeding
- 5-6 feedings per day
- Total: approximately 24-36 ounces per day
- Don't exceed 32-36 ounces daily without consulting your doctor
### 4-6 Months
Breastfed babies:
- 5-7 feedings per day
- Sessions may be shorter and more efficient
- Baby is more easily distracted during feeds
Formula-fed babies:
- 6-8 ounces per feeding
- 4-5 feedings per day
- Total: approximately 24-36 ounces per day
- This is typically the peak of formula intake
### Important Note
These are averages—your baby is an individual. Some healthy babies eat more, some less. Growth and wet/dirty diapers are better indicators than ounce counts.
Signs Your Baby Is Getting Enough
Stop worrying about measurements and look for these signs instead: AAP
Reliable signs of adequate intake:
- Weight gain: Baby regains birth weight by 10-14 days and gains 5-7 ounces per week for the first few months
- Wet diapers: At least 6 wet diapers per day after day 5 (8-10 is common)
- Dirty diapers: At least 3-4 yellow, seedy stools per day in the first month (breastfed babies may poop less after month 1)
- Contentment: Baby seems satisfied after feeds, not frantically hungry
- Energy: Baby is alert and active during awake times
- Meeting milestones: Baby is developing normally
Signs of adequate breastfeeding specifically:
- You can hear swallowing during feeds
- Breasts feel softer after nursing
- Baby spontaneously releases the breast when done
- Nipples look normal (not pinched or misshapen) after feeding
Feeding Cues: When to Feed
Rather than watching the clock, learn to read your baby's hunger cues: AAP
Early hunger cues (best time to feed):
- Stirring or waking from sleep
- Opening and closing mouth
- Rooting (turning head and opening mouth when cheek is touched)
- Bringing hands to mouth
- Lip-smacking or sucking sounds
Active hunger cues (still a good time to feed):
- Moving head side to side
- Stretching
- Increasing physical movement
- Putting hand to mouth repeatedly
Late hunger cues (baby may need calming first):
- Crying
- Agitated body movement
- Color turning red
Crying is a late sign of hunger. It's easier to feed a calm baby, so try to catch those early cues.
Feeding Cues: When to Stop
Your baby also tells you when they've had enough: AAP
Fullness cues:
- Slowing down or stopping sucking
- Turning head away from breast or bottle
- Releasing the breast or pushing bottle away
- Relaxed hands (instead of clenched fists)
- Falling asleep at the breast/bottle
- Spitting out nipple
For bottle-fed babies: Never force baby to finish a bottle. This can override their natural hunger/fullness cues and contribute to overfeeding.
Common Feeding Concerns
### "My baby wants to eat constantly—is something wrong?"
Cluster feeding—frequent feeds grouped together, often in the evening—is completely normal, especially in breastfed babies. AAP It helps boost milk supply and is often followed by a longer sleep stretch.
Growth spurts also cause temporarily increased feeding. Common growth spurt times:
- 7-10 days
- 2-3 weeks
- 4-6 weeks
- 3 months
- 6 months
### "My baby seems hungry but fights the bottle/breast"
This could indicate:
- Overtiredness
- Overstimulation
- Gas or reflux discomfort
- Flow issue (too fast or too slow)
- Illness or ear infection
If it persists, consult your pediatrician.
### "My breastfed baby doesn't poop every day anymore"
After the first month, breastfed babies may poop less frequently—anywhere from several times a day to once every 7-10 days can be normal if the stool is still soft and baby isn't in discomfort. AAP
Formula-fed babies typically continue to poop 1-2 times daily.
### "Should I wake my baby to eat?"
For newborns (first 2-3 weeks): Yes—wake baby every 3 hours during the day and 4 hours at night until they've regained birth weight. AAP
After birth weight is regained: You can let baby sleep, but don't let them go more than 4-5 hours at night until your pediatrician gives the okay for longer stretches.
When to Call Your Doctor
Contact your pediatrician if you notice: AAP
- Baby isn't regaining birth weight by 2 weeks
- Fewer than 6 wet diapers per day after day 5
- Fewer than 3 stools per day in the first month (breastfed)
- Dark or concentrated urine
- Persistent jaundice (yellow skin/eyes)
- Baby is too sleepy to feed or very difficult to wake
- Refusing to eat for more than 4-6 hours
- Vomiting (not just spitting up) after most feeds
- Signs of dehydration (dry mouth, no tears, sunken soft spot)
What Other Parents Ask
"How do I know if my breastfed baby is getting enough if I can't measure it?"
Trust the output: wet diapers, dirty diapers, and weight gain. If those are on track, baby is eating enough. Weight checks at your pediatrician's office provide reassurance.
"My baby spits up a lot—are they not keeping anything down?"
Most babies spit up, and it usually looks like more than it is. As long as baby is gaining weight, having enough wet diapers, and not in distress, spitting up is usually not a concern. AAP
"Should I supplement with formula if I'm breastfeeding?"
Only if there's a medical reason or you choose to. Unnecessary supplementation can reduce your milk supply. If you're concerned about supply, consult a lactation consultant before adding formula.
The Bottom Line
Feeding your baby is about more than just ounces and schedules—it's about learning your baby's unique cues and responding to their needs. Some babies are big eaters, some are grazers. Some feed quickly, some like to linger. All of this is normal.
If your baby is growing, producing plenty of wet diapers, and seems content most of the time, you're doing great. And if you have specific concerns, that's what your pediatrician and Clara are here for.