How many Oz should 2 week old eat per day?

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Quick Answers

The amount of milk a 2 week old baby needs can vary, but here are some general guidelines:

Breastfed babies will eat around 1-2 oz per feeding every 2-3 hours (8-12 times a day). This equals about 16-24 oz per day.
Formula fed babies will eat around 2-3 oz per feeding every 3-4 hours (6-8 times a day). This equals about 16-24 oz per day.

Don’t force a baby to finish a bottle – let them decide when they are full.
Look for 6-8 wet diapers and 3-4 dirty diapers per day to ensure baby is eating enough.
Weight gain and growth are the best measures of whether feeding is adequate.

How Much Should a Breastfed Baby Eat?

For exclusively breastfed babies, milk intake can vary quite a bit, especially in the early weeks as mom’s milk supply is still regulating. Here are some general guidelines for breastfed babies:

Newborns will take in very small amounts of colostrum in the first few days after birth, sometimes just a few teaspoons per feeding.
By week 2, a breastfed baby will start to eat around 1-2 oz per feeding.

They will feed 8-12 times or more in 24 hours, meaning they get 16-24 oz per day on average.
Some babies, especially smaller ones, may eat on the lesser end around 16 oz per day.
Other babies, like those going through a growth spurt, may eat up to 30 oz some days.

The key is to feed on demand and allow your baby to fully drain each breast. Switch breasts when baby slows down sucking or releases breast. Offer second breast even if baby only takes a little. This helps build milk supply. Allow baby to feed for as long and as often as they want.

How to Know if Baby is Getting Enough Milk

Since amounts can vary so much for breastfed babies, other signs are important clues that your 2 week old is eating enough:

Weight gain: After an initial loss in the first few days, breastfed babies should regain birth weight by 2 weeks and gain 4-8 oz per week.

Dirty diapers: Expect 3 or more poopy diapers per day by the end of the first week. Poop will transition during week 2 from meconium to yellow seedy stools.
Wet diapers: There should be at least 6 heaving wet diapers per day by the end of the first week.
Satisfaction: Baby should seem satisfied, content and relaxed after feedings.

Alertness: Your milk contains just the right nutrition to help baby stay alert during awake periods.

If you are concerned your baby is not getting enough milk, talk to a lactation consultant. Supplementing with a little formula or pumped breast milk may help while your supply increases. The key is ensuring baby is fed often to boost milk production.

How Much Formula Should a 2 Week Old Eat?

For formula fed newborns, intake is generally higher than breastfed babies. Here are some guidelines:

Most 2 week olds will eat around 2-3 oz every 3-4 hours.
Multiply this by 6-8 feedings per day for a total of 16-24 oz daily.
Some smaller babies will be on the lower end around 16 oz per day.

Bigger babies may eat up to 30 oz some days.
Aim for the middle ground of around 24 oz per day on average.

Tips for Formula Feeding

Here are some tips for formula feeding your 2 week old baby:

Always prepare and handle formula safely. Follow instructions for mixing with water.
Offer 2-3 oz per feeding and let baby decide when full. Don’t overfeed.
Feed on demand whenever showing hunger cues like rooting or sucking.

Pace feedings for 5-10 minutes to avoid overfilling. Burp halfway through.
Throw out any unfinished formula left sitting for over an hour.
Use vented bottles to limit air swallowing and gassiness.

Try different nipples if baby seems frustrated (slow, fast, Y-cut, etc).

Amounts and schedules will vary, so always follow baby’s hunger cues. If concerned baby isn’t eating enough, talk to your pediatrician.

Daytime vs Nighttime Feedings

At 2 weeks old, babies do not have an established circadian rhythm so daytime and nighttime feedings tend to be similar. Here’s what to expect:

Both breast and formula fed newborns need night feedings, usually every 2-4 hours.
Aim for 1-3 night feeds between 10pm and 6am.
Offer full feedings of 1-3 oz, not just snacks at night.

Total intake from day and night should reach recommended daily amounts.
Developing a night routine with dim lights/noises can help baby sleep longer.
Don’t try actively reducing night feeds yet – baby will drop them naturally.

Waking for nighttime feeds is normal and healthy. With time and consistency, babies will start to shift more of their intake to the daytime.

How Often Should a 2 Week Old Eat?

Two week old babies have tiny tummies and need to refuel often. Here’s how frequently you can expect them to feed:

Breastfed babies: 8-12+ times per day

Formula fed babies: 6-8 times per day
Aim for at least 8 wet diapers and 3 dirty diapers in 24 hours.
Let baby’s hunger cues guide you rather than a strict schedule.

Newborns should never go more than 2-3 hours without eating.
Cluster feeding in the evenings is common as babies signal mom to boost milk supply.

If your baby is excessively fussy between normal feeding times, offer more frequent small feeds. Growth spurts around 2 weeks can increase appetite for several days.

Watch for Baby’s Feeding Cues

Since newborns eat so frequently, look for these early signs your 2 week old is ready to eat:

Rooting (turning head looking for food)
Sucking motions

Hands to mouth
Increased alertness or physical activity
Crying (late sign of hunger)

Try feeding baby 10-15 minutes before they get overly fussy. Crying is a late stage cue. With time you’ll learn your baby’s unique hunger signals.

How to Burp a 2 Week Old

Frequent burping is important during and after feedings:

Burp after every 1-2 oz while bottle feeding.

Pat or rub gently on the back in a supported position.
Switch sides while breastfeeding and burp between breasts.
Newborns tend to swallow more air so burp well.

Let out any “urps” before resuming feeding.
Burping may bring up a little milk – have a cloth ready.
Keep feeding once burped unless showing signs of fullness.

Burping helps avoid spitting up, gassiness and discomfort.

Don’t worry if baby won’t burp every time. As long as they seem comfortable, it’s fine. Avoid aggressive patting. Contact doctor if excessive spitting up or vomiting.

What to Do if Baby Won’t Eat

It’s common for 2 week old babies to have an occasional poor feeding. Try these tips if your baby won’t eat:

Diaper change to wake baby and get them alert.
Skin-to-skin contact to soothe and bond.
Gently rub cheek or stroke under chin to encourage rooting.

Switch nursing positions.
Express milk onto nipple to stimulate interest.
Sit upright with proper support.

Gently massage or bicycle legs to wake baby.
Avoid overheating or overdressing which can make baby sleepy.
Burp frequently in case it’s gas preventing intake.

If poor feedings become a pattern, talk to your pediatrician to rule out any illness. But occasional disinterest in eating is normal.

When to Worry

Contact your doctor if your 2 week old has any of these issues:

No interest in feeding for over 8 hours.

Unable to keep any food down.
Excessive vomiting or spitting up.
Less than 6 wet diapers per day.

Weight loss or poor weight gain.
Dry mouth, sunken fontanel or eyes.
Excessive fussiness, lethargy or irritability.

These could signal a more serious feeding issue, dehydration or illness requiring further evaluation. Trust your instincts if something seems off.

Common Feeding Problems

While adjusting to feedings, some babies experience minor issues like:

Gas and Colic

Frequent burping during feeds can help.

Hold, rock and soothe baby through discomfort.
Bicycling legs, tummy massage, warm bath may relieve gas.
Reducing air swallowing may help – pace feeds, vent bottles.

Discuss anti-gas drops with pediatrician if severe.

Spitting Up

Keep baby upright 15-30 minutes after eating.
Frequent burping and paced feeds may help.

Thickening formula with rice cereal on doctor approval.
Don’t lay flat right after eating.
Normal as long as baby is gaining weight.

Reflux

Feed smaller amounts more often.
Hold upright for 30 minutes after feeds.
Sleep at an incline.

Discuss prescription medication options if symptoms persist.
Thickened formula or breast milk may help.

If problems don’t resolve within 2-4 weeks, see your pediatrician for feeding evaluation and treatment.

Common Questions

Is it normal for a 2 week old to eat every 1-2 hours?

Yes, this is completely normal and healthy. Two week old babies have tiny stomachs and need to refuel often. Frequent breastfeeding signals your body to produce more milk as well. Let your baby’s hunger cues guide you.

Why does my 2 week old eat so much at night?

It’s natural for little ones to wake every 2-4 hours round the clock. Night feeds help boost milk supply and keep baby growing. With time, they will start consolidating sleep and shifting more calories to daytime. Enjoy the snuggles!

How can I get my 2 week old to take a bottle?

Try different nipple shapes and flows. Rub milk on nipple so they taste it. Have someone else offer bottle. Try different positions. Introduce bottle slowly and consistently – don’t give up. Breastfed babies especially need practice. Stay patient.

Is my 2 week old getting enough to eat?

Look for adequate wet diapers, weight gain, contentment after feeding and overall health. Trust your instincts – if concerned, see your pediatrician to evaluate intake. Supplement if needed until milk supply increases. New moms often worry but babies are excellent at signalling their needs.

Why does my baby suddenly want to eat constantly?

Growth spurts are common around 2 weeks when babies cluster feed to boost milk supply. Fussiness, crying, temporary poor sleep and increased hunger are all normal signs. Feed on demand and know it will pass in a few days!

Conclusion

Determining how much your 2 week old should eat each day can seem confusing. But following their hunger cues, watching diapers and weight gain, and maintaining close contact with your pediatrician can give you confidence. Feedings will soon become second nature as you learn your baby’s rhythms. Trust yourself and enjoy nourishing your little one!