Baby Food Portions: Newborn Nutritional Needs Explained

Figuring out how much to feed a newborn can be challenging for new parents. The amount of food a baby needs depends on several factors, including their body weight, appetite, and age. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), babies should be fed when they seem hungry. Newborns eat very frequently, with feedings every two to three hours. As they grow older, the time between feedings increases. For example, by two months, babies will feed every three to four hours, and by six months, the time between feedings stretches to every four to five hours.

How much baby food does a newborn need in the first few weeks?

Newborns eat frequently and in small amounts. In the first few days, newborns generally need about half an ounce to one ounce during each feeding. This gradually increases over time.

Formula-fed newborns or babies fed from bottles are able to take in more during feeding than breastfed infants. This allows you to space out feedings by about three to four hours. On the other hand, breastfed babies will eat every two to three hours.

In the first few weeks, give 2- to 3-ounce bottles to your newborn. Give more or less depending on your baby's hunger cues. On average, a newborn drinks about 1.5–3 ounces every 2–3 hours. This amount increases as your baby grows and can take more at each feeding.

By the end of the first month, formula-fed newborns will take about 3 to 4 ounces at each feeding. At this stage, newborns will only take in up to half an ounce of colostrum (early breast milk) at each feeding. Over the next few days, they'll take in 1 to 2 ounces at each feeding.

A couple of weeks after birth, once your mature breast milk comes in, babies will likely take in 2 to 3 ounces at each feeding, working their way up to 4 to 5 ounces by the time they're 2 months old.

As a rule of thumb, you should aim to feed your baby 2.5 ounces of formula per pound of body weight daily.

How much baby food does a newborn need in the first month?

Newborns rely on breast milk or formula to meet their nutritional needs. In their first month, newborns eat very frequently, often every two to three hours. This amounts to about eight to twelve feedings per 24 hours.

In the first few days, newborns generally only need about half an ounce to one ounce during each feeding. This gradually increases over time. By the end of the first month, newborns will need at least four ounces per feeding to get the nourishment they require.

Formula-fed newborns are able to take in more during feeding than breastfed infants. This allows you to space out feedings by about three to four hours. On the other hand, breastfed newborns will feed more frequently, but less at a time.

It's important to keep in mind that every baby is different and has different feeding needs. Some may like to feed more often and take in less milk, while others may like to feed less frequently but take in more milk.

How much baby food does a 2-month-old need?

A 2-month-old baby's feeding schedule should be based on their hunger signs. You can expect your baby to feed whenever they are hungry, which is usually about six to eight times a day. This is a slight decrease in frequency compared to the first month of life, when newborns eat every two to three hours.

It is important to pay attention to your baby's signals of being hungry or full. A baby who is getting enough food might slow down, stop sucking, or turn away from the breast or bottle. You can also look out for other signs such as whether they are alert, content, and active between feedings, and whether they are gaining weight and growing.

The amount a 2-month-old baby will eat at each feeding will depend on whether they are being breastfed or formula-fed. A breastfed baby will eat as much as they like, whereas a formula-fed baby will have a more predictable schedule. A formula-fed baby will typically take around 4 to 5 ounces at each feeding during the second month, increasing to 5 to 6 ounces by the end of the third month.

It is best to focus on your baby's signs of fullness to know when they are done feeding, rather than worrying about how much they "should" eat.

How much baby food does a 4-month-old need?

A 4-month-old baby is not yet ready for solid foods. Their diet should consist only of breast milk or formula, which they should be consuming around 28 to 32 ounces of per day. At this age, babies will feed every three to four hours, and it's important to listen to their hunger cues rather than sticking to a strict schedule.

If you are formula feeding, your baby will likely be taking around 3 to 4 ounces at each feeding by the end of their first month. If you are breastfeeding, it can be harder to measure your baby's intake, but you can gauge it by monitoring their weight and the number of wet diapers they have per day.

Solid foods should not be introduced before the age of 4 months. This is because breast milk or formula provides all the nutrients your baby needs for growth, and their digestive system is not yet ready to handle solid food. Introducing solid food too early can also lead to overfeeding and increase the risk of being overweight.

Once your baby reaches the age of 4 months, you can start to introduce solid foods in addition to their regular breast milk or formula feedings. When first introducing solids, offer your baby around 1 to 2 tablespoons of food twice a day. It's important to introduce new foods one at a time and to wait 3 to 5 days before offering another new food to check for any allergic reactions.

How much baby food does a 6-month-old need?

A 6-month-old baby's nutritional needs are still largely met by breast milk or formula. However, at this age, solid foods can be introduced to supplement their diet.

The amount of solid food a 6-month-old baby needs will vary, but it is generally recommended to start with a small amount and gradually increase. Initially, a baby may only eat a few teaspoons of solid food, but this can be slowly increased to a few tablespoons. It is important to follow the baby's hunger cues and not force feed them.

A 6-month-old baby will typically still be having four to six breast milk or formula feedings per day. In addition, they can start having one solid meal a day, gradually increasing to two solid meals as they get older.

Sample feeding schedule for a 6-month-old

7:00 a.m.: Wake and nurse or bottle (6 to 8 ounces breast milk or formula)

7:45 a.m.: Breakfast (2 to 4 tablespoons of infant cereal, mashed banana, or other soft foods)

8:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.: Nap

10:45 a.m.: Wake and nurse or bottle (6 to 8 ounces breast milk or formula)

12:00 p.m.: Nurse or bottle (6 to 8 ounces breast milk or formula)

12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.: Nap

2:30 p.m.: Nurse or bottle (6 to 8 ounces breast milk or formula)

4:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.: Nap

5:00 p.m.: Nurse or bottle (6 to 8 ounces breast milk or formula)

5:45 PM: Dinner (2 to 4 tablespoons of mashed vegetables or fruits)

6:45 PM: Nurse or bottle (6 to 8 ounces breast milk or formula)

Tips for feeding a 6-month-old

• Continue to offer breast milk or formula as the main source of nutrition.
• Start with one solid meal a day and gradually increase the amount and frequency.
• Offer a variety of soft, mashed, or pureed foods, such as fruits, vegetables, meats, and infant cereals.
• Ensure the baby is safely seated in a high chair and never left unattended during mealtimes.
• Focus on priority nutrients such as iron, zinc, and protein.
• Introduce potential allergens early and often, unless advised otherwise by a pediatrician.
• It is common for 6-month-olds to still have one to two night feedings, but there is no need to wake a baby to feed them unless directed by a pediatrician.

Frequently asked questions