2 - 3 week old baby feeding schedule: How much should a 2 - 3 week old eat?
Updated Oct 30, 2024
At 2 - 3 weeks old, your baby is still a newborn and everything is, you guessed it, new! While this is exciting, it can also be exhausting and fraught with worry. But have no fear — we’ve got you covered when it comes to feeding your 2 - 3 week old baby. In this article, we’ll let you know how much your little one may eat at this age, give you tips for feeding your newborn, and answer frequently asked questions about 2 - 3 week old eating expectations.
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2 to 3 week old baby sample feeding schedule
At 2 - 3 weeks old, the American Academy of Pediatrics [] recommends babies are fed “on demand,” meaning parents should watch their baby for hunger cues, rather than feed solely by the clock. Most babies will look to feed about every 2 - 3 hours, which equates to around 8 - 12 times in a 24-hour period. Remember every baby is different and it’s normal if your little one’s eating times vary. Their sleep times will differ too! At this age, sleep and feeding are very intertwined — it’s common for babies to wake because they’re hungry.
How much to feed a 2 to 3 week old
Newborn babies will eat roughly every 2 - 3 hours. Within this range, formula-fed babies can typically go longer between feedings than breastfed babies. This is simply because breast milk typically digests faster than formula. At this age, babies will typically drink 1 - 3 ounces per feeding with about 8 - 12 feedings over 24 hours.
5 tips for feeding your 2 to 3 week old baby
Tip #1: Stick to breast milk or formula
Breast milk, formula or a combination of both provides your baby with all the nutrition they need for the first several months of life. The World Health Organization [] recommends introducing additional food or water at around 6 months of age.
Tip #2: Follow baby’s hunger cues
The most reliable way to build a feeding schedule at 2 - 3 weeks old is to follow your baby’s hunger cues. Signs of hunger include:
Baby licking lips
Putting their hand to their mouth
Opening their mouth, sticking their tongue out
Attempting to suck on anything nearby
Crying is a late signal of hunger and may make it hard to settle down and eat, so watch for those clues early on!
Tip #3: Watch diapers to assess intake
Many parents wonder if their newborn is eating enough, especially if they are nursing. The best way to determine if your baby is eating enough is to watch their diapers. A 2 - 3 week old baby who is drinking enough should have at least 5 - 6 wet diapers in a 24-hour period. Check with your child’s pediatrician if you’re seeing fewer wet diapers or have concerns about how much your newborn is eating.
Tip #4: Consider vitamin D supplements
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics [], all babies less than 12 months old should receive 400 IU of vitamin D each day (unless formula-fed babies consume 32 ounces of infant formula per day).
Tip #5: Know schedules may vary
Wouldn’t it be nice if babies were a bit more predictable?! Since they typically aren’t, it’s best to set your expectations accordingly. Keep in mind that a 2 - 3 week olds’ feeding schedule will probably fluctuate from time to time. Many babies eat more and more frequently during . Some may also go through periods of cluster feeding where they eat more frequent, yet potentially smaller meals for part of the day.
With the free , you can track your newborn’s feedings and sleep, which may help you identify patterns and more easily navigate this period of unpredictability.
Night feedings at 2 to 3 week olds
Night feedings for a 2 - 3 week old baby are essential. Babies at this age have tiny tummies — roughly the size of an egg — so they can’t hold very much. Stomach size combined with how rapidly newborns grow means they need to be fed around the clock to stay hydrated and keep their energy levels up. It’s expected that newborns will wake frequently overnight to eat and for comfort, as their , and they typically sleep in short cycles of 2 - 4 hours between feeds at night.
Takeaway
Feeding takes up a lot of time when you have a 2 - 3 week old baby. And for good reason: They need to eat frequently to grow and develop, which are a baby’s most important jobs!
One of the best things you can do at this age is get to know your baby and their hunger cues. Feed on demand, keep an eye on wet diapers in a 24-hour period, and do your best to enjoy the sweet bonding time that feeding can bring.
Expect that your baby’s feeding schedule will ebb and flow during this time. Changes in appetite, illness, discomfort or distraction may all impact how your baby feeds. Remember, it’s all a normal part of the learning process!
2 to 3 week old feeding schedule FAQ
Q: How often should a 2 - 3 weeks old eat?
A:
Babies at this age are primarily feeding on demand, usually around every 2 - 3 hours during the day and overnight. Watch your baby for hunger cues (like licking their lips or attempting to suck on anything nearby) to determine when they are hungry and need to eat.
Q: How long between feeds can a 2 - 3 week old go?
A:
At 2 - 3 weeks of age, babies should be fed based on their hunger cues. Many babies at this age go around 2 - 3 hours between feeds. Breastfed babies usually go closer to 2 hours whereas formula-fed babies may go closer to 3 hours.
Q: Can you drop night feeds at 2 - 3 weeks?
A:
No, you cannot drop night feeds at 2 - 3 weeks old. Babies at this age have very small stomachs and cannot eat enough at one time to last them through the night. Additionally, the American Academy of Pediatrics [4] recommends waking your baby to feed if it’s been more than 4-5 hours since they last ate.
Q: Why is my 2 - 3 week old eating less than usual?
A:
Babies may go through phases where they eat more or less than usual. Typically it is not a cause for concern and simply reflects where they are in their growing pattern. A baby may eat less due to illness or discomfort (gas, constipation, or reflux). If you have concerns about your baby’s eating, it’s usually best to err on the side of caution and reach out to their healthcare provider.
Q: What is a 2 - 3 weeks nursing strike?
A:
Sometimes babies who were breastfeeding just fine stop nursing for some reason. However, it is usually temporary [5] and only lasts a few days. Try to determine the cause to find a proper solution — sometimes illness, discomfort, stress, or feeding in a distracted environment can lead to a nursing strike. If your baby’s nursing strike lasts longer than a couple of days or you have concerns about their eating and/or growth, consider consulting their doctor.
Q: Is 30oz too much for a 2 - 3 week old?
A:
While every baby is different, a newborn at 2 - 3 weeks of age typically consumes about 12 - 16 oz a day/over a 24-hour period. This means that 30oz is likely too much for a newborn at this age.
Q: Is 4 feeds a day enough for a 2 - 3 week old?
A:
Babies who are 2 - 3 weeks old have small stomachs, roughly the size of an egg, so they aren’t able to drink much at once. Typically, they will consume 1 - 3 ounces at a feeding and need to eat every 2 - 3 hours or so. Therefore, 4 feeds a day is not enough for a newborn at this age.
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Note: The content on this site is for informational purposes only and should not replace medical advice from your doctor, pediatrician, or medical professional. If you have questions or concerns, you should contact a medical professional.
