As newborns, babies seem to eat, sleep, and poop all day – every day. But, as your baby gets older, you may be wondering how much your baby should be eating, how often, and how many ounces by age. Keep in mind that milk should be your baby’s primary form of nutrition for the first year. Even after you’ve begun to offer solid foods, your baby’s milk intake should not decrease much, if at all. Also, babies are very good at self-moderation, so it is usually unnecessary to limit your baby’s milk intake for fear of him or her becoming overweight. Your baby’s growth and development depend on a large consumption of fat and calories.
These baby feeding charts for breastfeeding babies, formula-fed babies, and solids will help guide you to know if your baby is eating enough and how to help your baby sleep through the night sooner rather than later. You may want to bookmark this page for future reference or pin it on Pinterest.
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Breastmilk Amounts by Age
Formula Amounts by Age
Solid Food Amounts by Age
Breastmilk Feedings and Amounts by Age
All breastfed babies need between 20-35 ounces of breast milk per day, on average. In younger newborns and up to 2-3 months old, your baby should breastfeed on-demand, which usually means every 2-3 hours.
If you are pumping, breastmilk bottles vary in size from 3 to 6 ounces, usually, with 4 ounces being the average size once a baby is at least 3-4 months old. Keep in mind that some babies simply have larger appetites than others. The most important aspect is that your baby’s weight gain stays on his or her growth curve. Do not withhold milk from your baby in fear he or she will become overweight. Babies are very good at self-moderation and should be fed when hungry.
Keep in mind that the number of times your baby breastfeeds in a 24-hour period will depend on the combination of:
a) how much milk your baby can hold in their stomach (i.e. stomach capacity).
b) how much milk you can store in your breasts (which has nothing to do with breast size).
c) your baby’s personality as well as if they have any digestion issues such as reflux.
We find babies who have reflux tend to eat more frequent, smaller meals. Also, some baby’s personalities are to overfill themselves while others eat until content and stop. My two boys were different than one another. While my first son would only ever eat 4-ounce bottles when we weren’t breastfeeding, his brother would take up to 5 to 5 1/2 ounce bottles at times. They were just different and even as my first son got older, he would simply NOT overeat or overfill his stomach and is still this way to this day.
Here is a handy baby feeding chart with breastmilk amounts by age, though keep in mind that many breastfeeding mothers feed their babies on-demand throughout their breastfeeding journey. This is just a rough guide to consider, especially if you feel like you are having to feed your baby excessively given his or her age.
If you ever have any concerns about your baby and your baby’s feeding habits, please be sure to seek out a healthcare provider and/or lactation consultant.
| Age | # of feedings per day / 24 hours | Feeding Frequency | Average Bottle Sizes (if applicable) | Night Feedings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-4 weeks | on-demand | on-demand* | ~2-3 ounces / 60-90 ml | on-demand |
| 5-8 weeks | on-demand | every 2-3 hours** | ~2-4 ounces / 60-120 ml | 3-4 |
| 9-12 weeks/3 months | ~8-10 | every 2-3 hours | 3-4 ounces / 90-120 ml | 2-3 |
| 13-16 weeks/4 months | ~6-10 | every 2-3 hours | 3-4 ounces / 90-120 ml | 2-3 |
| 5 months | ~6-10 | every 2-3 hours | 3-4 ounces / 90-120 ml | 2, maybe 3 |
| 6 months | ~6-9 | every 3 hours | 4-5 ounces / 120-150 ml | 1-2 |
| 7 months | ~5-8 | every 3-4 hours | 4-6 ounces / 120-180 ml | 1-2 |
| 8 months | ~5-8 | every 3-4 hours | 4-6 ounces / 120-180 ml | 1, maybe 2 |
| 9 months | ~5-8 | every 3-4 hours | 4-6 ounces / 120-180 ml | 1 |
| 10 months | ~4-6 | every 3-4 hours | 4-6 ounces / 120-180 ml | 0-1 |
| 11 months | ~4-6 | every 3-4 hours | 4-6 ounces / 120-180 ml | 0 |
| 12 months | ~4-6 | every 3-4 hours | 4-6 ounces / 120-180 ml | 0 |
* If your baby goes longer than 4 hours without eating, be sure to wake him or her to feed them.
** Many newborns cluster feed in the evenings, which means they may nurse every hour for several hours or practically remain on the breast for several hours. Some say they are “tanking up” for the night.
You may also be interested in:
- Baby Night Feedings By Age Chart
- Baby Sleep and Breastfeeding Series
- Breastfeeding and Sleep Training – Can They Go Together?
Formula Feeding Amounts by Age
Formula fed infants typically need 2 1/2 ounces or 74 ml of formula for each pound of weight, on average. Some babies have larger appetites than others, though. I have worked with a lot of families, personally, and some babies take small bottles and consume around 24 oz a day total while others consume over 30 oz. The most important thing to remember is that your baby should stay on his or her own growth curve.
In the newborn days, it’s important to feed your baby on-demand whenever he or she shows signs of hunger. As your baby grows older, you can consider putting your baby on a schedule.
While some parents and babies thrive on schedules, some people prefer to allow the daily routine to be flexible. Keep in mind that the more your baby eats during the day, the sooner your baby will sleep through the night.
Here is a formula-feeding chart to tell you the average frequency and bottle sizes of formula by age, but keep in mind that some babies eat a variable amount at different times of the day. You should use this chart simply as a guide while also adapting your daily routine to fit your unique baby.
If you ever have any concerns about your baby and your baby’s feeding habits, please be sure to seek out a healthcare provider and/or lactation consultant.
| Age | # of feedings per day / 24 hours | Feeding Frequency | Average Bottle Size | Night Feedings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-4 weeks | on-demand | on-demand* | ~2-4 ounces / 60-120 ml | on-demand |
| 5-8 weeks | 6-7 | every 3 hours | ~4 ounces / 120 ml | 2-3 |
| 9-12 weeks/3 months | 5 | every 3 hours | 4-6 ounces / 120-180 ml | 2, maybe 3 |
| 13-16 weeks/4 months | 5 | every 3-4 hours** | 4-6 ounces / 120-180 ml | 1-2 |
| 5 months | 4-5 | every 3-4 hours | 6-7 ounces / 180-210 ml | 1-2 |
| 6 months | 4-5 | every 3-4 hours | 6-8 ounces / 180-240 ml | 0-1 |
| 7 months | 4-5 | every 3-4 hours | 6-8 ounces / 180-240 ml | 0*** |
| 8 months | 4-5 | every 3-4 hours | 6-8 ounces / 180-240 ml | 0 |
| 9 months | 4-5 | every 3-4 hours | 6-8 ounces / 180-240 ml | 0 |
| 10 months | 3-5 | every 3-4 hours | 6-8 ounces / 180-240 ml | 0 |
| 11 months | 2-4 | every 3-4 hours | 6-8 ounces / 180-240 ml | 0 |
| 12 months | 2-3 | every 3-4 hours | 6-8 ounces / 180-240 ml | 0 |
* If your baby goes longer than 4 hours without eating, be sure to wake him or her to feed them.
** Not all babies get to 4 hours between milk feedings by this age or ever. Some babies will always eat every 3 hours until 9-10+ months old.
*** Some formula-fed babies still eat at night even past 6 months old, especially if they have reflux.
You may also be interested in:
- Baby Night Feedings By Age Chart
- Baby Feeding Schedule: Rigid, Flexible, or On-Demand?
- How to Put Your Baby on a Schedule
Solid Foods by Age
As you start solids, your baby’s milk intake should not decrease much, if at all, until 10+ months old when he or she is eating 3 solid meals per day plus one snack. For the first year, solid food is a lot about practice and introducing a variety of flavors and textures. Keep in mind that until your baby is consuming significant amounts of solid food, starting solids won’t necessarily help your baby sleep. In fact, so many sleep problems have nothing to do with hunger that starting solids doesn’t change sleep whatsoever.
Here is a baby feeding chart for solid foods. Keep in mind that if you are practicing baby led weaning, whether by choice or because your baby doesn’t like pureed foods, your baby will likely consume a lot less solid food than other babies his or her age. That is just fine as milk should still be your baby’s primary source of nutrition.
| Age | Grains (per day) | Fruit (per day) | Vegetables (per day) | Meat and Dairy (per day) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birth-5 months | None | None | None | None |
| 6 months (1 solid feeding per day) | 1-2 tablespoons dry infant cereal, mixed with breastmilk or formula | 1-2 tablespoons pureed fruit | 1-2 tablespoons pureed vegetables | None |
| 7-8 months (2 solid feedings per day) | 1-6 tablespoons dry infant cereal, mixed with breastmilk or formula | 1-6 tablespoons pureed/mashed fruit | 1-6 tablespoons pureed/mashed vegetables | Meat: 1-2 tablespoons pureed/mashed protein (offer at 8 months) Dairy: 1/4-1/2 cup yogurt or cottage cheese; 1 oz. shredded cheese |
| 9-10 months (3 solid feedings per day) | 2-4 tablespoons dry infant cereal, mixed with breastmilk or formula. 1-2 servings other grains* | 4-8 tablespoons mashed/chopped fruit | 4-12 tablespoons mashed/chopped vegetables | Meat: 2-6 tablespoons mashed/chopped protein Dairy: Same as 7-8 month recommendations. |
| 11-12 months (3 solid feedings per day) | Same as above, except increase “other grains” to 2 servings | 6-8 tablespoons mashed/chopped fruit, or 1/2 cup diced | 6-12 tablespoons mashed/chopped vegetables, or 1/2 – 3/4 cup diced | Meat: 2-6 tablespoons mashed/chopped protein, or 1/4 cup diced Dairy: Same as 7-8 month recommendations. |
* 1 serving of “other grains” = 1/2 slice of bread, 2 crackers, 1/2 cup Cheerios, or 1/2 cup whole wheat pasta
You might also be interested in:
- When to Start Solids
- How to Feed Your Baby Solids
- Your Baby’s Start On Solid Foods: A Comprehensive Guide
Share your experience with feeding your baby!
Related posts:
- The Best Ways to Introduce New Foods To Your Baby
- Baby Night Feedings By Age – An Easy Reference Chart from The Baby Sleep Site®
- How Many Hours Can Baby Sleep Without Feeding?
- How To Make Homemade Baby Food: 5 Great Recipes
FAQs
How many ounces should a baby eat chart? ›
| Age | Amount per feeding | Feeding frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Newborn | 2 to 3 ounces | Every 3 to 4 hours |
| 1 month | 4 ounces | Every 4 hours |
| 2 months | 4 ounces | 6 to 7 feedings/24 hours |
| 4 months | 4 to 6 ounces | 5 feedings/24 hours |
Take your baby's weight in pounds and multiply that number by 2.5 (8.25 x 2.5 = 20.6 ounces). This figure represents how many ounces of breast milk your baby should be getting in one day. Based on the example above, the baby should be taking in about 20.6 ounces of breast milk in a 24-hour period.
When should I feed my baby 4 oz? ›At about 2 months of age, babies usually take 4 to 5 ounces per feeding every 3 to 4 hours. At 4 months, babies usually take 4 to 6 ounces per feeding. At 6 months, babies may be taking up to 8 ounces every 4 to 5 hours.
How many Oz does my baby need based on weight? ›On average, your baby should take in about 2½ ounces (75 mL) of infant formula a day for every pound (453 g) of body weight. But they probably will regulate their intake from day to day to meet their own specific needs, so let them tell you when they've had enough.
Can you overfeed a baby? ›Do not worry about feeding your baby whenever either of you wants to. You cannot overfeed a breastfed baby, and your baby will not become spoiled or demanding if you feed them whenever they're hungry or need comfort.
Can my 2 week old drink 4 oz? ›Feeding Baby At Two Weeks Old
Feeding should take about 30 minutes. If bottle feeding, a ballpark amount is 3-4 ounces.
Bottle-fed babies
Newborn: every 2 to 3 hours. At 2 months: every 3 to 4 hours. At 4 to 6 months: every 4 to 5 hours. At 6+ months: every 4 to 5 hours.
A 2-month-old baby should consume about 2 to 4 ounces of formula or breast milk per feeding, and should eat about every three to four hours. This amount will increase as your baby grows.
How do I calculate how much formula my baby needs? ›To determine how many ounces per bottle, divide the ounces needed in a 24-hour period by the number of feedings your baby takes during that time. So, if your 12-pound baby needs 30 ounces a day and takes 6 bottles in a 24-hour period, then each bottle would need to be approximately 5 ounces.
Why is my baby constantly hungry? ›Your baby will go through days or weeks of bigger than normal growth spurts during their first year. Like tiny teenagers, this is when they might be even more ravenous and want to feed more. This kind of feeding is called cluster feeding, and it's completely normal.
How long does a newborn drink 4 oz? ›
20 - 40 minutes for newborn to 3 months. 15 - 30 minutes for babies 3 months to 6 months.
Should my 4 week old be eating 4 oz? ›During the first 2 weeks, babies will eat on average 1 - 2 oz at a time. By the end of the first month they eat about 4 oz at a time. By 2 months, increase to 6 oz per feed, and by 4 months, about 6-8 oz per feed.
Is 4 feeds a day enough for 4 month old? ›How much formula for a 4-month-old? Typically four ounces about four to six times a day.
How long can a 6 week old go between feedings at night? ›Feedings should be spread out to every three to four hours or so (and maybe even more spread out at night), though demand feeding is still generally the way to go, especially for the breastfed set. Of course, with all that eating comes lots of pooping. Your baby will still be averaging a few bowel movements each day.
Is 6 pounds 3 oz small for a baby? ›A baby is estimated to be due (the due date) at 40 weeks of gestation. At a gestational age of 40 weeks, boys who weigh less than about 6 pounds 9 ounces (3 kilograms) are small for gestational age. Girls who weigh less than about 6 pounds 3 ounces (2.8 kilograms) are small for gestational age.
Is 5 lbs 3 oz small for a baby? ›If your baby weighs less than 2,500 grams (5 pounds, 8 ounces), he or she has a low birth weight. Babies weighing less than 1,500 grams (3 pounds, 5 ounces) at birth are considered very low birth weight. Babies who weigh less than 1,000 grams (2 pounds, 3 ounces) are extremely low birth weight.
Is 8 lbs 3 oz a big baby? ›What is a big baby? The medical term for big baby is macrosomia, which literally means “big body.” Some researchers consider a baby to be big when it weighs 4,000 grams (8 lbs., 13 oz.) or more at birth, and others say a baby is big if it weighs 4,500 grams (9 lbs., 15 oz.) or more (Rouse et al. 1996).
What are the signs of overfeeding? ›- Gassiness or burping.
- Frequent spit up.
- Vomiting after eating.
- Fussiness, irritability or crying after meals.
- Gagging or choking.
- Pushes food away.
- Closes his or her mouth when food is offered.
- Turns his or her head away from food.
- Uses hand motions or makes sounds to let you know he or she is full.
Offer your baby a feeding after they've stopped throwing up. If your baby is hungry and takes to the bottle or breast after vomiting, go right ahead and feed them. Liquid feeding after vomiting can sometimes even help settle your baby's nausea.
Is 5 oz too much for a 2 week old baby? ›
In the first few weeks, give 2- to 3-ounce (60- to 90-milliliter) bottles to your newborn. Give more or less depending on your baby's hunger cues. Here's a general look at how much your baby may be eating at different ages: On average, a newborn drinks about 1.5–3 ounces (45–90 milliliters) every 2–3 hours.
How long should 2 week old sleep? ›Two-week-old babies can: Be expected to sleep a large portion of the day – about 16 - 20 hours. Raise their heads slightly. When your baby is awake, give him or her supervised time on his or her tummy so he or she can develop upper body muscles.
Is 2 oz too much for a 4 day old? ›In the first few weeks, give 2- to 3-ounce (60- to 90-milliliter) bottles to your newborn. Give more or less depending on your baby's hunger cues.
How often should you bathe a newborn? ›How often does my newborn need a bath? There's no need to give your newborn baby a bath every day. Three times a week might be enough until your baby becomes more mobile. Bathing your baby too much can dry out your baby's skin.
Can a 1 month old go 4 hours between feedings? ›First Weeks and Months
On average, most exclusively breastfed babies will feed about every 2 to 4 hours. Some babies may feed as often as every hour at times, often called cluster feeding. Or may have a longer sleep interval of 4 to 5 hours. How often your baby feeds might change depending on the time of day.
But they may not sleep more than 1 to 2 hours at a time. Most babies don't start sleeping through the night (6 to 8 hours) without waking until they are about 3 months old, or until they weigh 12 to 13 pounds. About two-thirds of babies are able to sleep through the night on a regular basis by age 6 months.
Should I wake my 2 month old to feed? ›Breastfed babies feed often, about every 2–3 hours. Bottle-fed babies tend to feed less often, about every 3–4 hours. Newborns who sleep for longer stretches should be awakened to feed. Wake your baby every 3–4 hours to eat until he or she shows good weight gain, which usually happens within the first couple of weeks.
How much should a 2 month old weigh? ›Your 2-month-old baby's growth
The average weight of a 2-month-old baby girl is 11.3 pounds; the average baby boy at 2 months weighs in at 12.3 pounds. Height averages are 22.5 inches for girls and 23 inches for boys.
But you may still wonder if they're getting enough to eat or if they might even be eating too much. A 3-month-old needs to eat about 4 to 6 ounces of breast milk or formula every 3 to 4 hours.
Can I overfeed formula? ›Do not add extra formula powder. Using too much can make your baby constipated and may cause dehydration. If your baby is under 8 weeks old and has not done a poo for 2 to 3 days, talk to your midwife, health visitor or GP, particularly if your baby is gaining weight slowly.
Is 3 oz of formula too much for a newborn? ›
During the first few weeks: 1 to 3 ounces of formula every three to four hours (closer to 2 to 3 ounces a feeding after the first few days or week). Wake your baby for a feeding if he sleeps longer than five hours. By the first month: At least 4 ounces every four hours.
How many scoops of formula do I use for 3 oz? ›If you want 3 ounces of formula, make 6 ounces (6 ounces water plus 3 scoops formula) and split it into two bottles. Save one (or both) in the fridge until your baby is ready. Read more: Preparing Formula: What Type of Water should I Use?
Should you feed baby every time they are hungry? ›Health professionals recommend "responsive" or "on demand" feeding – this means following your baby's cues and feeding them when they are hungry. Although most babies gradually settle into a feeding routine, they vary in how often they want to feed. Feed your baby when they show signs that they are hungry.
What are 3 signs that your baby is hungry? ›Signs Your Baby is Hungry
Head turning to look for the breast. Becoming more alert and active. Sucking on hands or lip smacking. Opening and closing mouth.
Babies burp more often than adults. Once a baby burps, it is a sign that you must not feed him further. In some cases, there is a wet burp i.e, few drops of milk come out of the baby's mouth and it is a very clear indication.
How long should you burp a baby? ›Support your baby's head and neck, make sure their tummy and back is nice and straight (not curled up), and rub or pat their back gently. You don't need to spend ages burping your baby, a couple of minutes should be enough.
How long does it take to burp a baby? ›How long does burping take? Burping usually only takes a minute or two. Sometimes a burp will come up as soon as you move your baby upright, and sometimes you have to wait a little while and help things with a gentle pat or tummy pressure.
When can a newborn drink 2 oz? ›You can start by offering your baby 1 to 2 ounces of infant formula every 2 to 3 hours in the first days of life if your baby is only getting infant formula and no breast milk. Give your baby more if he or she is showing signs of hunger. Most infant formula-fed newborns will feed 8 to 12 times in 24 hours.
Can a 2 week old baby eat 4 oz? ›Feeding Baby At Two Weeks Old
Feeding should take about 30 minutes. If bottle feeding, a ballpark amount is 3-4 ounces.
A good rule of thumb is to feed newborns every 2 to 3 hours. This frequency becomes every 3 to 4 hours in two to three months. Newborns should eat between 1 and 2 ounces per feeding, then 3 to 4 ounces per meal by 2 to 3 months old. 1 Learn more about how much to feed your baby in the first three months of life.
Is 2 oz too much for a newborn? ›
In the first few weeks, give 2- to 3-ounce (60- to 90-milliliter) bottles to your newborn. Give more or less depending on your baby's hunger cues. Here's a general look at how much your baby may be eating at different ages: On average, a newborn drinks about 1.5–3 ounces (45–90 milliliters) every 2–3 hours.
Can a baby eat more than 32 oz a day? ›The most amount of formula advised per day is 32 ounces (1 liter). Over-feeding can cause vomiting, diarrhea or too much weight gain. If your baby needs over 32 ounces (1 liter), talk to your doctor about starting solids.