Most 3-month-old babies need to eat every 2 to 3 hours during the day. This means they can typically go 2 to 3 hours between feedings when they are awake. At night, 3-month-olds may be able to go a bit longer between feedings, around 4 hours or so. However, each baby is different, so it’s important to follow your baby’s cues and not go solely by the clock. Here is a quick overview of how often 3-month-olds need to eat:
- During the day: Feed every 2-3 hours
- At night: May go 3-4 hours between feedings
- Amount per feeding: 4-6 ounces (or breastfed on demand)
How can you tell when your 3-month-old is hungry?
At 3 months, babies become better at signaling when they are hungry. Here are some signs your baby may be ready to eat:
- Putting hands to mouth
- Sucking motions
- Rooting (turning head looking for food)
- Fussiness or crying
It’s important not to wait until your baby is crying from hunger to feed them. Try to offer the breast or bottle when you first notice early signs of hunger. This helps prevent them from becoming overly upset.
Why does my 3-month-old want to eat so often?
There are a few reasons why 3-month-old babies need to eat so frequently:
- Small stomach capacity: A 3-month-old has a very small stomach, only around 5-7 oz capacity. They can only take in a few ounces at a time before feeling full.
- Fast digestion: Babies digest breastmilk or formula very quickly, often within 1-2 hours. This means they need refueling more often.
- Growth spurts: Frequent feedings help fuel growth spurts that are common around 3 months.
- Comfort sucking: Babies find sucking soothing. Frequent feeds comfort and reassure them.
While it may seem like your 3-month-old wants to eat around the clock, try to remember that this frequent feeding is normal and helps support their rapid growth and development at this age.
Tips for managing frequent 3-month-old feedings
Feeding a 3-month-old baby every few hours can be tiring for parents. Here are some tips to make the frequent feedings more manageable:
- Take feedings in shifts with your partner so you can get small blocks of uninterrupted sleep.
- Wear your baby in a front baby carrier during feedings so you can be hands-free.
- Pump breastmilk or prepare formula bottles in advance so feeds are quick and easy.
- Cluster feed before bedtime so baby may sleep longer at night.
- Nap when the baby naps to catch up on rest.
- Accept help from family/friends with meals, chores, errands.
Having an action plan and extra support can make a big difference in handling the frequent feeding schedule of a 3-month-old.
How feedings change around 4-6 months
While 3-month-olds need frequent feedings, this starts to change around 4-6 months as babies grow. Here’s what to expect:
- Longer intervals: Babies can go 3-4 hours between feeds during the day.
- Bigger appetite: They take in more ounces per feeding, around 6-8 oz.
- Longer night sleep: Can go 6-8 hours at night without feeding.
- Fewer night feeds: Reduce to 1-2 feedings per night.
As babies get older and solids are introduced after 6 months, feedings continue to drop to 3-4 per day. But at 3 months, frequent breastmilk or formula feedings are still needed to fuel growth and development.
Reasons to call the doctor about feedings
While frequently feeding a 3-month-old is normal, sometimes changes in feeding patterns can signal an underlying issue. Contact your pediatrician if your 3-month-old is showing any of the following:
- Refusing to eat or difficulty feeding
- Not gaining enough weight
- Excessive spit up or vomiting
- More than 4 hours between daytime feeds
- New onset of fussiness, diarrhea, fever, etc.
Your pediatrician can help determine if there is a problem and the best way to get your baby feeding well again. Don’t hesitate to reach out if anything concerns you.
Setting a feeding schedule
While you don’t want to strictly clock-watch, having a loose routine for when you offer your baby feedings can help make days flow easier. Here is a sample feeding schedule for a 3-month-old:
| Time | Feeding |
|---|---|
| 7 am | Wake up and breastfeed/bottle feed |
| 9 am | Feeding |
| 11 am | Feeding |
| 1 pm | Feeding |
| 3 pm | Feeding |
| 5 pm | Feeding |
| 7 pm | Cluster feed before bedtime |
| 10 pm | Dream feed |
| 2 am | Night feeding (if needed) |
Keep in mind this is just a guide. Always follow your baby’s hunger cues over the clock. The number of feeds and timing will vary.
How much a 3-month-old eats at each feeding
At 3 months, babies take in around 4-6 ounces per feeding session if bottle feeding. Here are the typical amounts for a feeding:
- Breastfed baby: Nurse on demand until satisfied, around 10-15 minutes per breast
- Formula-fed baby: 4-6 ounces per feeding
If your baby seems hungrier, offer another 1-2 ounces. And never force a baby to finish a bottle if they show signs of fullness like slowing sucking or turning away.
Paced bottle feeding
To make bottle feeding easier for a 3-month-old, practice paced feeding. This involves:
- Holding baby semi-upright
- Keeping the bottle horizontal to reduce air intake
- Gently wigging the bottle to mimic suck-swallow-breathe pattern of breastfeeding
- Burping halfway through and at end of feeding
Paced feeding prevents overeating and helps minimize spit up and gas.
How to know your baby is eating enough
To make sure your 3-month-old is getting adequate nutrition, look for these signs:
- Steady weight gain and growth
- 6-8 wet diapers per day
- Regular bowel movements
- Content and alert after feeding
- Meeting developmental milestones
If you are concerned your baby is not eating enough at 3 months, contact your pediatrician. They can weigh your baby and assess if any adjustments need to be made.
Nighttime feedings
Many 3-month-olds still wake 1-2 times at night for feedings. Here are some tips for managing night feeds:
- Do a dream feed right before your bedtime.
- Keep lights dim and avoid playing with baby at night.
- Go right back to crib after feeding.
- Split night duties with your partner.
- Sleep when the baby sleeps during the day.
As baby gets older and takes in more milk during the day, they will start naturally dropping night feeds. Hang in there, the sleepless nights won’t last forever!
Common feeding challenges
While frequent feedings are developmentally normal at this age, here are some common feeding challenges parents face:
Distractions
The world is still very new and interesting to a 3-month-old! It’s normal for them to get distracted and pop off the breast or bottle to look around. Try feeding in a dim, boring room or wear a nursing necklace to keep their interest.
Gas
Babies often swallow extra air while feeding, leading to gas pain. Help reduce gas by burping halfway through feeds and keeping baby upright for 30 minutes after eating. Bicycling legs, tummy massage, and gas drops can also provide relief.
Reflux
Spitting up is common after feeds. But if your baby is in pain and spitting up large amounts, they may have acid reflux. Talk to your doctor about safe reflux medications if needed.
Slow weight gain
Consult your pediatrician if your baby is not gaining around 1 pound per month. They may recommend supplementing with formula after breastfeeding or temporary use of a feeding tube.
Introducing a bottle
If you are exclusively breastfeeding, around 3 months is a good time to introduce one bottle per day of either expressed breastmilk or formula. This helps your baby learn to use a bottle before you return to work. Here are some tips for bottle introduction:
- Start with just 2-3 oz to avoid preference for bottle.
- Try when baby is calm, not overly hungry.
- Offer the bottle between breastfeeds.
- Have someone other than mom offer the first bottles.
- Stick with slow-flow nipples to mimic breast.
With a gradual approach, most breastfed babies will adapt well to combo feeding when the time comes.
Transitioning from breastmilk to formula
While exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for 6 months, some moms may want or need to switch to formula around 3 months. If you plan to transition from breastmilk to formula, here are some tips:
- Do it gradually over 2-3 weeks, replacing one feeding at a time.
- Find a formula with nutrients similar to breastmilk.
- Pay attention to potential constipation with formula.
- Offer more frequent bottle feedings if needed.
- Watch weight closely to ensure adequate intake.
Consult your pediatrician if you need guidance finding the right formula and transitioning without upsetting baby’s stomach. With a gradual approach, the switch can go smoothly.
Feeding tips for working parents
Heading back to work while breastfeeding a 3-month-old can be challenging. Here are some tips that can help:
- Build up a freezer stash of expressed milk.
- Feed right before and after work.
- Arrange your schedule for pumping at work.
- Room share at night to allow night feedings.
- Use bottles on weekends so others can help.
- Communicate with your caregiver about amounts/schedule.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to a lactation consultant if you need help maintaining your milk supply after returning to work. Pumping logistics can be tricky but with the right support, you can make it work.
Signs your 3-month-old is ready for solids
While exclusive milk feedings are sufficient at this age, your baby may start showing interest in solid foods around 3-4 months. Signs of readiness include:
- Good head and neck control
- Opens mouth for spoon
- Interest in watching you eat
- Sits with support
- Doubled birth weight
Wait until 6 months to start solids, but you can try spoon feeding breastmilk or formula to get them used to the motions.
Conclusion
Feeding a 3-month-old around every 2-3 hours is completely normal and helps them grow. While it may be exhausting for parents, remember this stage doesn’t last forever. Stay attentive to your baby’s hunger cues, make use of support from others, and know that you’re giving your little one the nutrition they need by responding to their needs.
