Quick Answers
Most experts recommend that a 7 week old baby drinks around 24-32 ounces of milk per day. This averages to around 3-4 ounces per feeding, with 8-10 feedings per day. However, all babies are different and may need more or less than this. Watch for signs that your baby is hungry or full. Allow them to eat to their own appetite.
Feeding Schedule for a 7 Week Old
At 7 weeks, most babies are feeding every 2-3 hours during the day. This results in around 8-10 feedings over a 24 hour period. Here is a sample feeding schedule:
Sample Feeding Schedule
7am – 4 ounces
10am – 4 ounces
1pm – 4 ounces
4pm – 4 ounces
7pm – 4 ounces
10pm – 4 ounces
1am – 3 ounces
4am – 3 ounces
This schedule provides 32 ounces of milk over the course of the day. Some babies may need a couple more or less feedings than this. Adjust the schedule to meet your baby’s needs.
It’s also perfectly normal for newborns to cluster feed in the evenings, meaning they want to eat more frequently before bedtime. This can help fill their bellies before a longer stretch of sleep. Don’t stress if your schedule looks a little different each day – follow your baby’s lead.
How Much Should Baby Drink Per Feeding?
At 7 weeks old, most babies take around 3-4 ounces per feeding. However, some may consistently take a bit more or less than this.
Signs baby is still hungry after finishing a bottle:
- Rooting reflex (turning head side to side)
- Bringing hands to mouth
- Increased alertness or excitement
If your baby is displaying these cues, offer more milk – usually 1/2 to 1 more ounce.
Signs baby is full:
- Turning head away from bottle
- Decreased or stopped sucking
- Spitting out nipple or milk
- Falling asleep
It’s important not to overfeed. Stop the feeding if your baby shows these signs of fullness. Burp baby and resume later if they seem hungry again.
Daily Milk Intake Guidelines
Here are some general guidelines on milk intake by age, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics:
Daily Feeding Amounts by Age
Birth to 3 days: Colostrum (only a few teaspoons per feeding)
3 days to 3 weeks: 1–3 ounces per feeding
3 weeks to 3 months: 3–5 ounces per feeding
3 months to 6 months: 4–7 ounces per feeding
6 months and beyond: 6–8 ounces per feeding
For a 7 week old, the recommendation is around 24-32 ounces per day. But remember, all babies are different and intake can vary. The most important thing is that baby seems satisfied and is gaining weight appropriately.
Some other tips on milk intake for a 7 week old:
- Breastfed babies take in around 25 ounces per day on average.
- Formula fed babies may drink up to 32 ounces per day.
- Babies should not have large variances in intake from day to day. Aim to be consistent.
- Offer bottle or breast at least 8 times per day.
- Let baby decide when they are full – don’t force extra ounces.
Growth Spurts
Around 7 weeks, some babies go through a growth spurt. During these phases, they will want to nurse or take a bottle more frequently. Their daily intake may suddenly increase by several ounces.
Growth spurts typically only last a few days. Keep feeding on demand to ensure your baby gets enough nutrition during this time. Then intake should stabilize again once the spurt passes.
Other signs of a growth spurt besides increased eating:
- Longer sleep stretches
- Increased fussiness or crying
- Tight fitting clothes or diapers
Respond to your baby’s cues during these periods. More frequent growth spurts happen around 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months.
How to Tell if Baby is Getting Enough Milk
To make sure your 7 week old is getting enough to eat, watch for these signs:
- Steady weight gain – Expect 5-7 ounces per week.
- 6-8 wet diapers and 3-4 dirty diapers per day.
- Alert and active when awake.
- Satisfied after feeding and lasts 2-3 hours until next hungry.
- Soft bowel movements with seedy texture.
- Meeting developmental milestones like tracking objects with eyes.
Consult your pediatrician if you have any concerns about your baby’s weight gain, energy levels, or development. They can help determine if your child is getting adequate nutrition.
When to Feed Baby
At 7 weeks, babies are still feeding on demand. This means feeding whenever they show signs of hunger rather than a strict schedule.
Watch for these early hunger cues and respond quickly:
- Moving head side to side
- Opening and closing mouth
- Sticking out tongue
- Rooting reflex
- Sucking on fists
Waiting too long to feed can cause baby to become overly fussy and frustrated. Crying is a late sign of hunger – try to start feeding before this point.
Follow baby’s lead on when they need to eat. But if they are sleeping longer than 4 hours, wake them to feed to ensure they don’t go too long without nutrition.
Tips for Paced Bottle Feeding
Paced bottle feeding can help prevent overfeeding and allow baby to recognize when they are full. Here are some tips:
- Hold baby semi-upright in feeding position.
- Gently touch nipple to upper lip so baby opens mouth wide.
- Keep bottle horizontal so milk fills bottom of nipple.
- Let baby suck a few times, then tip bottle so more milk fills nipple.
- Break every minute or so to burp and let baby breathe.
- Watch for signs of fullness like decreased sucking or spitting up.
- Let baby set the pace – don’t force extra ounces.
Paced feeding prevents milk from rushing into baby’s mouth too quickly. Allowing short breaks helps baby recognize feelings of fullness.
How to Store Breastmilk
For breastfed babies, knowing how to properly store breastmilk is key. Follow these storage guidelines:
Breastmilk Storage
- Room temperature: Up to 4 hours
- Insulated cooler bag: Up to 24 hours
- Refrigerator: Up to 4 days
- Freezer: Up to 6 months in back, 3-6 months in door
Tips for storing:
- Store in 2-4 ounce portions to avoid waste.
- Use glass or BPA-free plastic containers made for breastmilk.
- Leave space at top of container for milk to expand when freezing.
- Label with date pumped and use oldest milk first.
Avoid storing milk more than once. Do not refreeze breastmilk after thawing. Discard any unused portions within 2 hours of feeding to baby.
Signs to Switch Formula
For formula fed babies, watch for these signs that a switch may be needed:
- Fussiness or crying after eating
- Gassiness or tummy discomfort
- Spitting up large amounts
- Change in poop: constipation or diarrhea
- Congestion, runny nose, or sneezing
- Rash or redness around mouth
Talk to your pediatrician before changing formula. They can help determine if there is an intolerance or allergy to ingredients in the current brand.
When transitioning to a new formula, swap out just one bottle at first. Then increase to half the bottles for a few days. Finally, switch completely to the new brand. Going slowly helps baby adjust.
Using a Bottle Warmer
A bottle warmer can help get breastmilk or formula to the perfect temperature for feeding. Here are some tips:
- Read product instructions carefully.
- Always use caution to avoid burns.
- Warm milk to about body temperature – test on wrist.
- Avoid overheating – this destroys nutrients.
- Shake bottle after warming to distribute heat.
- Discard any unused warmed milk within 1-2 hours.
Warmers that use steam are safest. Be sure to keep device out of baby’s reach to prevent injury. Only reheat milk once, not multiple times.
Preparing Formula
When making formula bottles, proper preparation is key:
- Clean all equipment with hot, soapy water first.
- Use sterile, ready-to-feed formula whenever possible.
- For powder, prepare one bottle at a time.
- Follow instructions on can for water to powder ratio.
- Mix or shake well until powder dissolves.
- Cool to room temp before feeding.
- Discard unfinished formula within 1-2 hours.
Always mix formula as directed. Adding extra powder thinking it will make baby fuller can cause health issues. Consult your pediatrician if you have questions about preparing, storing, or feeding formula.
FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about 7 week old feeding:
Is it normal for a 7 week old to drink 4-5 ounces per feeding?
Yes, it’s very normal for a 7 week old to take 4 or 5 ounces per feeding. Most babies this age will consume 3 to 5 ounces when bottle feeding. Offer what your baby wants at each feeding, as appetite can vary from day to day.
How often should a 7 week old breastfeed?
Most breastfed 7 week olds feed 8-10 times or more per day. Watch for early hunger cues and nurse on demand. Frequency is more important than duration at this age. Nurse sessions may be 10-15 minutes long on each side.
What formula do most pediatricians recommend at 7 weeks?
Most pediatricians recommend a standard cow’s milk-based formula like Similac Advance or Enfamil Infant for healthy babies without special dietary needs. Talk to your pediatrician about whether a specialty formula is needed based on allergy, reflux, or other issues.
Is it okay to put cereal in a 7 week old’s bottle?
No, adding cereal to bottles is not recommended at this age. Solid foods should be introduced starting around 6 months old. Cereal in a bottle can pose risks like overfeeding, gagging, tooth decay, and excess weight gain.
How long can you store thawed breastmilk?
Thawed breastmilk can be stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Try to avoid refreezing thawed milk if possible. Only reheat thawed milk once, not multiple times. Discard any leftovers within 2 hours of feeding to baby.
