Newborn feeding schedule by week (with a free tracker)
In the first weeks, "is my baby eating enough?" is the question that keeps new parents up at night. Here's a simple, week-by-week guide to how often and how much newborns feed — plus the diaper counts that quietly tell you things are going fine.
How often should a newborn feed?
Most newborns feed 8–12 times in 24 hours — roughly every 2–3 hours, counting from the start of one feed to the start of the next. Breastfed babies tend to feed more often than formula-fed babies because breast milk digests faster. In the early days, you usually feed on demand rather than by a strict clock: watch for hunger cues like rooting, hands to mouth, and lip-smacking, and try to feed before crying starts.
Rough feeding amounts, week by week
Every baby is different, and breastfed babies regulate their own intake — so these are general reference ranges for bottle feeds, not targets. Always follow your baby's cues and your paediatrician's advice.
| Age | Feeds / 24h | Approx. per bottle feed |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1–3 | 8–12 | 5–15 ml (colostrum is tiny & enough) |
| Week 1 | 8–12 | 30–60 ml |
| Weeks 2–4 | 7–10 | 60–90 ml |
| 1–2 months | 6–8 | 90–120 ml |
The real "is baby getting enough?" check: diapers
Output is the most reassuring signal. After the first few days, a well-fed newborn usually has:
- 6+ wet diapers a day (pale, not deep yellow)
- 3+ dirty diapers a day in the early weeks (this slows down later, which is normal)
- Steady weight gain after the normal early dip, back to birth weight by about 2 weeks
If diaper counts drop, your baby seems unusually sleepy or hard to wake, or you're worried about weight — call your paediatrician. Counts on paper (or in an app) make that conversation much easier.
Stop counting feeds in your head
Oh My Baby logs every feed, side, and diaper in one tap — and syncs in realtime across your family's phones, so whoever's holding the baby keeps the count.
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Why tracking the first weeks actually helps
Sleep-deprived memory is unreliable. "Did she feed at 2 or 3?" "Which side last time?" "When was the last wet diaper?" A quick log answers all of it — and turns scattered moments into a pattern you (and your paediatrician) can read at a glance. It also ends the 2 a.m. detective work when two people are sharing care: partner, grandparent, or nanny all see the same timeline.
A few gentle tips
- Feed on cues, not the clock — especially while establishing breastfeeding.
- Alternate sides so each breast gets stimulated; logging "last: left/right" removes the guesswork.
- Cluster feeding is normal — many babies bunch feeds in the evening. It doesn't mean you're short on milk.
- Track output, not just intake — diapers are the honest signal.
Related guides
- How many wet & dirty diapers should a newborn have?
- Going back to work: how to stay on top of baby care
This guide is general information to help you notice patterns — it is not medical advice and not a substitute for your paediatrician. Every baby is different. For any concern about feeding, weight, or health, contact your doctor.