Weeks 2–4.
Bigger feeds, the first growth spurts, and a baby who is suddenly very interested in milk. The under-2-months rules for water and sanitizing still apply.
Every answer here is checked by an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, the clinical credential for infant feeding. Where our IBCLC’s guidance differs from a published source, the answer says so.
Weeks 2–4: 5 things, in order.
About 3 minutes. Read it top to bottom, or tap the one you need. The short version is at the end.
- By one month
- 3–4 oza feed (90–120 ml), about 24–32 oz a day
- How often
- 8+feeds in 24 hours, every 2–3 hours, settling to 3–4
- Wet diapers
- 6+a day, every day
Step 1: How much, how often
Feeds get bigger. Gaps get longer.
- Day 71–2 oz
- 1 month3–4 oz
By the end of the first month, most babies take 3–4 oz (90–120 ml) a feed.
That adds up to about 24–32 oz a day. For a bigger or smaller baby, a rough guide is about 2½ oz a day for every pound of body weight.
Sources: AAP; Nemours KidsHealth
Every 2–3 hours, settling to every 3–4 hours by the end of the month.
For the first few weeks, yes, if they sleep past 3 hours and start missing feeds.
When you can stop depends on weight gain. When to stop waking
Sources: AAP; Mayo Clinic 3 hours: guidance from our IBCLC
Step 2: Growth spurts and weight
Suddenly hungry all the time? Probably a growth spurt.
7–10 days3–6 weeks
Probably a growth spurt. Feed more when they ask.
Growth spurts commonly show up around 7 to 10 days and again between 3 and 6 weeks. Babies feed more often to keep up. These stretches don’t last longer than 2 to 3 days.
Sources: AAP; Nemours KidsHealth 2–3 days: guidance from our IBCLC
Yes, by about 2 weeks, and almost always by 3.
Babies usually start gaining steadily from about day 5. Not back to birth weight by 2 weeks? Check in with your pediatrician.
About an ounce (28 g) a day through the first month.
Length usually grows 1½–2 inches (3.8–5 cm) over the month, and head size from about 13¾ inches (35 cm) to about 15 inches (38 cm).
Source: AAP
Step 3: Diapers
6 wet a day. 2 dirty a day.
Wet
At least 6 a day
Dirty
About 2 a day for the first 6 weeks, then at least 1
At least 6 wet diapers a day. About 2 poops a day for the first 6 weeks, then at least 1.
Wet diapers are steadier than poops, which vary more. The same goes for formula-fed and breastfed babies.
Step 4: Water and sanitizing
Boil the water. Sanitize once a day.
Yes. Distilled water, boiled, for every bottle, at every age.
Powdered formula isn’t sterile. Skip tap water: it can carry lead. Formula & water
Yes. Boil it the same way.
It’s a better choice than tap water, but it isn’t sterile.
Yes, while your baby is under 2 months.
Also wash the basin and bottle brush after every use, and let them air-dry. Most guides leave that part out. How to sanitize
Source: CDC
Step 5: Spit-up
A little milk coming back up? Very normal.
Yes, very. It’s common enough to have three names: spitting up, posseting, reflux.
Source: NHS
The short version.
Weeks 2–4 in 5 lines.
How much, how often By the end of the month, most babies take 3–4 oz a feed, every 2–3 hours, settling to every 3–4.
Growth spurts and weight Suddenly hungry all the time? Probably a growth spurt. Feed more when they ask.
Diapers At least 6 wet diapers a day. About 2 poops a day for the first 6 weeks.
Water and sanitizing Still under 2 months: distilled water, boiled, for every bottle, and sanitize once a day.
Spit-up A little milk coming back up is very normal.