How many ounces should a 3 day old newborn eat?

Quick Answer

Most experts recommend that a 3 day old newborn eat about 1-2 ounces per feeding every 2-3 hours. This equals about 8-12 feedings and 8-24 ounces total in a 24 hour period. However, all babies are different and may eat more or less than this amount. It’s best to feed on demand and allow your newborn to eat until satisfied at each feeding.

How Often Should a 3 Day Old Eat?

Newborns need to eat frequently because their stomachs are very small, only holding about 2-3 ounces at a time during the first week of life. Most newborns need to eat every 2-3 hours, which equals about 8-12 feedings per day.

Some signs that your 3 day old is hungry include:

  • Moving head from side to side
  • Bringing hands to mouth
  • Puckering or rooting (turning head towards breast/bottle)
  • Increased alertness or activity
  • Crying

It’s best to feed your newborn whenever you notice early signs of hunger, rather than waiting until crying, which is a late hunger cue. This helps prevent your baby from becoming overly frantic while feeding.

How Much Should a 3 Day Old Eat Per Feeding?

As a general rule of thumb, most newborns will eat about 1-2 ounces per feeding in the first weeks of life. However, every baby is different. Your 3 day old may eat less or more than this at each feeding.

Signs your baby is full during a feeding include:

  • Slowing down sucking
  • Releasing suction on the nipple/bottle
  • Spitting out or refusing nipple
  • Formula leaking from mouth
  • Closing mouth
  • Turning head away
  • Pushing nipple out with tongue
  • Becoming drowsy or falling asleep

It’s best to feed your newborn on demand, allowing them to eat until exhibiting signs of fullness, rather than sticking to a rigid amount per feeding. This ensures your baby is getting adequate nutrition during this critical growth and development phase.

What is an Average Daily Feeding Amount for a 3 Day Old?

Based on eating 1-2 ounces every 2-3 hours, the average daily feeding amount for a 3 day old is generally around 24 ounces:

  • Low end: 8 feedings x 1 oz per feeding = 8 ounces/day
  • Average: 12 feedings x 2 oz per feeding = 24 ounces/day
  • High end: 12 feedings x 3 oz per feeding = 36 ounces/day

However, each baby is different. Yours may need more or less than 24 ounces in 24 hours. The key is paying attention to your baby’s hunger and fullness signals to ensure they are getting enough milk.

What If My 3 Day Old Eats Less Than 24 Ounces?

It’s common for newborns to eat less than 24 ounces on some days, especially in the first week as they adapt to feedings. Reasons your 3 day old may eat less include:

  • Sleeping more and missing feeds
  • Difficulty latching or sucking effectively
  • Too distracted or sleepy to finish feeding
  • Colic or reflux making feeding uncomfortable
  • Jaundice making them excessively sleepy

As long as your baby is having 6 or more wet diapers and gaining weight, eating fewer than 24 ounces on some days is usually not a concern. But if intake doesn’t increase after a couple days or weight gain stalls, contact your pediatrician. They can check for any issues interfering with feeding.

Tips for Feeding a 3 Day Old 24+ Ounces

If your 3 day old is having trouble reaching 24 ounces, try these tips:

  • Unwrap or undress baby to wake for feedings every 2-3 hours
  • Change diaper or use cool cloth to rouse sleepers
  • Offer breast for 10-15 minutes per side
  • Pump after nursing to increase supply
  • Use slow-flow nipples if bottle feeding
  • Swaddle for comfort and pacing during feeds
  • Burp frequently if spitting up
  • Gently rub cheek or tickle feet to re-interest in feeding

See your pediatrician if intake doesn’t improve or weight gain is inadequate after trying these tips. They can check for medical issues interfering with feeding.

Introducing a Bottle to a Breastfed Newborn

If breastfeeding exclusively, you may want to introduce an occasional bottle around 3-4 weeks to have feeding options. Follow these tips:

  • Start with small amounts like 0.5-1 oz in slow flow nipple
  • Try when baby is calm but not overly hungry
  • Have someone else give first bottles so baby doesn’t associate mom with bottle
  • Aim for 1 bottle per day max to maintain breastfeeding
  • Only use breastmilk in bottles if under 6 months
  • Try different nipple flows if resisting – may prefer slow or medium flow

With patience and consistency over a few weeks, most breastfed babies will accept at least an occasional bottle. This provides flexibility for mom to leave baby for short periods.

How to Store and Warm Breastmilk

Properly storing and warming breastmilk helps preserve nutrients and prevent bacteria growth. Follow these guidelines:

Storing Freshly Pumped Breastmilk

  • Room temp (up to 77°F): Up to 4 hours
  • Insulated cooler bag: Up to 24 hours
  • Refrigerator: Up to 4 days
  • Freezer compartment inside fridge: Up to 2 weeks
  • Standalone freezer: 6-12 months

Thawing and Warming Tips

  • Thaw frozen milk overnight in fridge or hold container under warm running water
  • Gently swirl or rock milk to mix separated cream after thawing
  • Warm to room or body temp by running container under warm water or placing in warm water bath
  • Avoid microwaving bottles which creates hot spots that can burn baby
  • Test temp by shaking onto inside of wrist before feeding
  • Use thawed milk within 24 hours; do not refreeze

Proper storage and warming helps preserve the nutritional and immunological properties of breastmilk to best nourish your newborn.

Signs Baby is Getting Enough Milk

It’s common for new moms to worry their baby isn’t getting enough milk. Here are reassuring signs your 3 day old is getting sufficient ounces at each feeding:

  • 6+ wet diapers and 3+ dirty diapers in 24 hours
  • Soft, seedy yellow poop (not hard pellets)
  • Pees clear or pale yellow, not dark or orange
  • Feeds actively for 10-15 minutes per breast session
  • Seems satisfied and content after feeding
  • Sleeps peacefully between feeds
  • Has good color and muscle tone
  • Producing expected dirty/wet diapers for age

Consult your pediatrician if concerned about dehydration, which causes dark concentrated urine, yellow skin, dry mouth/lips, fewer wet diapers, etc. But otherwise, feeding on demand is the best way to ensure your baby gets enough ounces.

Tips for Nursing a Newborn

The first few days of breastfeeding can be challenging as both mom and baby learn. Try these tips for easier nursing:

Proper Latch

  • Hold baby tummy-to-tummy in football hold
  • Tickle lips to root; wait for wide open mouth
  • Pull baby onto breast, aiming for deep latch
  • More areola visible above than below mouth
  • Lower lip curled outward
  • Rhythmic suck/swallow heard

Prevent Sore Nipples

  • Start feeding on least sore side
  • Ensure proper latch and position
  • Keep nipples dry between feeds
  • Express milk to let nipples air dry after feeds
  • Use pure lanolin or gel pads to soothe
  • Adjust baby’s position periodically during feed

Increase Milk Supply

  • Nurse on demand whenever baby shows hunger cues
  • Offer both breasts at each session
  • Pump after or between nursing sessions
  • Massage breasts gently while nursing
  • Stay hydrated and eat a balanced diet

Don’t hesitate to consult a lactation consultant for additional tips and hands-on help getting comfortably situated with breastfeeding.

How Much Formula Should a 3 Day Old Eat?

For formula-fed newborns, the same feeding guidelines apply:

  • Feed every 2-3 hours on demand
  • Offer 1-2 ounces per feeding
  • Aim for 24+ ounces per day
  • Let baby signal when full

Types of infant formula include:

  • Cow’s milk formula – Most commonly used, dairy-based
  • Soy formula – Made from soybeans, for babies intolerant to dairy
  • Hypoallergenic – Broken down proteins for babies with food allergies
  • Specialty – For babies with health conditions needing extra nutrients

When switching formula types or brands, check with your pediatrician and transition slowly by mixing old and new over a few days.

Tips for Formula Feeding

  • Always prepare and store according to instructions
  • Hold baby semi-upright during feeds
  • Gently pace feeding to avoid overeating
  • Offer cooled boiled water between feeds if still hungry
  • Burp halfway through and at end of each feed

With paced, on demand feedings, formula provides complete nutrition for healthy growth and development.

Tracking Feedings and Diapers

Keeping a log of feeding times, amounts, wet/dirty diapers, and sleep can help you:

  • Identify baby’s natural rhythms and patterns
  • Know when to feed based on last time
  • Determine if baby is getting adequate nutrition
  • Share details accurately with pediatrician
  • Notice early if intake or diapers decrease

Tools like apps, charts, journals, or notepads can help organize feeding/diaper data. Some key details to record include:

  • Time of each feeding session
  • Amount eaten each session
  • Pee and poop diapers
  • Sleep periods
  • Spitting up/reflux issues
  • Any feeding concerns or challenges

Tracking intake and outputs takes some diligence but provides helpful insight on baby’s routine and health.

Reasons a Newborn Won’t Eat

It’s common for babies to miss or refuse some feedings, especially in the first few weeks. Reasons include:

  • Sleeping – It can be hard to rouse a sleepy newborn
  • Difficulty latching/sucking – Stressful process for a tired or overwhelmed baby
  • Digestive issues – Reflux can make eating uncomfortable
  • Overstimulation – Lights, noise, handling might be overtaxing
  • Illness – Colds or infections may sap energy/appetite
  • Normal fluctuation – Milk intake often varies day to day

Try the following if your newborn is uninterested in feeding:

  • Undress to wake baby and do diaper change
  • Offer breast first then bottle
  • Try different nipple flows
  • Express milk before feeding to stimulate appetite
  • Move to quiet setting with minimal stimulation
  • Consult doctor if intake doesn’t improve within a day or two

The first weeks are a period of major adjustment for babies as they adapt to life outside the womb. With patience and care, feeding will get easier as you both gain experience.

When to Call the Doctor About Feeding Issues

Call your pediatrician promptly if your newborn:

  • Won’t eat at all for more than 8 hours
  • Goes >5 hours regularly between feeds
  • Has very few wet/dirty diapers
  • Has dark, concentrated urine
  • Loses >10% birth weight
  • Doesn’t regain birth weight after 2 weeks
  • Doesn’t gain 1+ oz per day after regaining birth weight
  • Has fever, vomiting, or other concerning symptoms

Otherwise, give your doctor a quick call or email if:

  • You’re concerned baby isn’t getting enough oz per day
  • Weight gain seems inadequate
  • Trouble establishing breastfeeding
  • Ongoing nipple pain or damage
  • Baby falls asleep repeatedly during feeds
  • You need help timing and tracking feedings

Your pediatrician can offer tips, check baby’s health, and ensure all is well or recommend specialists like lactation consultants as needed.

Conclusion

Feeding a newborn is tiring but rewarding work! The first few days bring major adjustments for babies and parents alike. Know that 1-2 ounces every 2-3 hours is the general feeding guide for a 3 day old, but your baby’s needs may be a little different. Nurse or bottle feed on demand whenever you notice early hunger cues, offer both breasts if nursing, burp well if bottle feeding, and track feedings/diapers to ensure adequate intake. With time and experience, you’ll both become pros! Don’t hesitate to call your pediatrician for any concerns or extra support.

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