How Often and How Much Should Your Baby Eat? A Feeding Guide by Age (0–12 Months)

babytimecentral

Oct 8

6 min read

This post shares general information from the AAP, CDC and WHO. It isn't medical advice. Every baby is different, so check with your pediatrician, especially if your baby was born early or has a health condition.

It's 3 a.m. The baby just ate (again), and you're both wondering the same thing: is this enough? Is it too much?

Good news: there's no perfect number to hit, and your baby is pretty good at telling you what they need. Here are simple ranges by age from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the CDC and the World Health Organization (WHO).

The quick answer • Newborns eat often, about 8 to 12 times a day. Formula-fed newborns usually start with 1 to 2 ounces every 2 to 3 hours. • Around 1 month, breastfed babies often eat every 2 to 4 hours. Formula-fed babies take at least 3 to 4 ounces, about every 3 to 4 hours. • By 6 months, formula-fed babies may take 6 to 8 ounces, 4 or 5 times a day. • Around 6 months, solids start, but milk is still the main food. • Always: watch your baby, not the clock.

Watch your baby, not the clock

The AAP says babies "should be fed whenever they seem hungry." You might hear this called "responsive feeding." It just means feeding when your baby seems hungry and stopping when they seem full.

One exception: if your baby was born early or has a health condition, the AAP says a feeding schedule from your pediatrician is best.

The first few days: tiny tummy, lots of feeds

Your newborn's belly is tiny, so they don't need much per feed, the CDC explains. In the first few days, a breastfed baby needs only "about a teaspoonful" of that first milk (colostrum) at each feed, according to the NHS.

That's why newborns eat so often. A breastfed baby may want to eat every 1 to 3 hours at first.

Using formula? The CDC suggests starting with 1 to 2 ounces every 2 to 3 hours, and offering more if your baby still seems hungry.

Sleepy baby? The CDC says you may need to wake them to feed, so ask your pediatrician how long is too long between feeds.

How often and how much, by age

Baby feeding chart at a glance from newborn to 12 months: how often breastfed babies eat and how much formula-fed babies take at each age, with solids joining in at 6 to 12 months.

Around 1 month. Breastfed babies usually eat every 2 to 4 hours. Most take about 1 ounce per feed in the first few weeks, and that slowly goes up. Formula-fed babies take at least 3 to 4 ounces, about every 3 to 4 hours.

2 to 4 months. Feeds slowly spread out. Many formula-fed babies stop needing a middle-of-the-night feed somewhere in here, and sometimes go 4 or 5 hours between daytime feeds.

4 to 6 months. The AAP and WHO recommend only breast milk for about the first 6 months. By 6 months, formula-fed babies may take 6 to 8 ounces, 4 or 5 times a day.

6 to 12 months. Solids join in, but breast milk or formula is still the main source of nutrition. Most babies this age need formula or food about 5 to 6 times a day. Breastfeeding? Keep following your baby's lead. The AAP says the amount per feed tops out at roughly 4.5 ounces by a year.

A quick formula check. On average, babies take about 2½ ounces of formula a day for every pound they weigh, and usually no more than about 32 ounces in 24 hours. If your baby always wants a lot more or less, mention it to your pediatrician.

Bottle tip: bottles flow fast, so the AAP suggests offering a little less, since you can always give more. And your baby doesn't need to finish the bottle.

Is my baby hungry or full?

Hungry or full? Hungry signs include hands to mouth, turning toward the breast or bottle, and lip smacking. Full signs include closing the mouth, turning away and relaxed hands.

Crying is often a late hunger sign, says the CDC. Try to catch the earlier signals.

Hungry: hands to mouth, turning toward the breast or bottle, smacking or licking lips, sucking on everything nearby, and fussing (AAP, CDC).

Full: closing the mouth, turning the head away and relaxed hands (CDC), or pushing the bottle away and falling asleep at the end (NHS). If a bottle-fed baby splays their fingers and toes or stops sucking, they may just need a little break.

Not every cry means hunger, either. Sometimes your baby "just needs to be cuddled or changed," the AAP says.

When your baby wants to eat nonstop

Some evenings your baby may want to eat nonstop. Babies may feed as often as every hour at times, which is often called cluster feeding. The NHS says it usually happens in the first 3 to 4 months, that it's "very normal," and that it can last a few days during a growth spurt.

It's tiring, so tag-team: one of you feeds, the other brings water and snacks.

Signs your baby is getting enough

Signs a breastfed newborn is getting enough: 6 or more wet diapers a day by day 5, back to birth weight by 10 to 14 days, 8 to 12 feeds a day, and a content baby, plus when to call your pediatrician.

You can't see ounces when you breastfeed, so look for these clues in the first weeks:

Wet diapers: 6 or more a day by 5 to 7 days old, with pale yellow pee.
Weight: a little weight loss in the first week is normal, but your baby should be back to birth weight by day 10 to 14. Your pediatrician will track weight on a growth chart.
Feeds: breastfeeding 8 to 12 times a day, swallowing you can see and hear, and a baby who seems content afterward.

Starting solids around 6 months

The CDC and AAP recommend starting foods at about 6 months. The CDC adds that starting before 4 months isn't recommended.

Signs your baby is ready (CDC): sits up alone or with support, holds their head steady, opens their mouth when you offer food, swallows food instead of pushing it back out, and brings things to their mouth.

Start small, with a spoonful or two, and go slowly. At first, your baby still gets most of their nutrition from breast milk, formula or both.

Why you might see different numbers

Trusted sources round things a little differently, and that's okay. Here's where they don't quite match:

Newborn feeds: most say 8 to 12 a day, but one AAP page says 10 to 12 is the norm. For formula, the CDC says 8 to 12, while the AAP calls 8 the minimum.
The first day or two of formula: the AAP says some babies take only half an ounce per feed at first. The CDC suggests starting with 1 to 2 ounces.
Wet diapers: 6 or more by the end of the first week, or "at least 5 to 6" on another AAP page. Poop counts vary more, so ask your pediatrician.
First bites of food: "a teaspoonful or two" (AAP) or "1 or 2 tablespoons" (CDC).
How early solids can start: everyone says about 6 months. The AAP adds that some babies may be ready around 4 months if they've doubled their birth weight and weigh about 13 pounds. Your pediatrician can help you decide.
Meals at 6 to 12 months: the WHO suggests 2 to 3 meals a day at 6 to 8 months and 3 to 4 from 9 months, plus 1 to 2 snacks. The CDC describes about 3 meals and 2 to 3 snacks.

Think of these as ranges, not rules. Your pediatrician knows your baby best.

When to call your pediatrician

Call anytime something feels off. The CDC and AAP say to reach out if your baby:

breastfeeds fewer than 8 times a day, most days
is still losing weight after day 5, or is under birth weight at 2 weeks
has fewer than 6 wet diapers and fewer than 3 poops a day by day 5
has dark yellow pee, or pee with red specks, after the first week
has skin that looks a bit yellow
still seems hungry after most feeds

And if you're simply worried? The CDC says to talk to your baby's provider right away.

Your one next step

Save the chart and talk it over tonight: who's covering which feeds, and where you'll jot down feeds and diapers for that first checkup. A small plan makes long nights lighter. You've got this ♡

More support: our Breastfeeding 101 guide and free checklists.

Baby Time Central shares general information only. This post isn't medical advice and doesn't replace your pediatrician. Always check with your baby's doctor about feeding, especially if your baby was born early or has a health condition.