At 8 weeks old, most babies should drink around 24-32 ounces of breast milk or formula per day. However, every baby is different and may need more or less than this amount. Here are some quick answers about feeding amounts for an 8 week old baby:
Quick Answers
- 24-32 ounces per day is the typical range for an 8 week old’s daily feeding amount.
- Breastfed babies will take in around 25 ounces per day on average.
- Formula fed babies may need up to 32 ounces per day.
- Feed on demand rather than a schedule at this age.
- Look for 6-8 wet diapers and 3-4 dirty diapers per day to ensure baby is getting enough.
Feeding Amount Guidelines
As a general guideline, the average daily feeding amounts for an 8 week old baby are:
- Breastfed babies: 25 ounces per day on average (range of 19-30 ounces).
- Formula fed babies: 25-32 ounces per day on average.
However, every baby is unique and may need more or less than these averages. At 8 weeks, it’s best to feed on demand rather than a schedule. This allows your baby to get as much milk as needed to help them grow and develop.
Factors That Affect Feeding Amounts
Some factors that can affect how much an 8 week old drinks include:
- Birth weight and rate of weight gain
- Whether baby is breastfed or formula fed
- Baby’s appetite and growth spurts
- If baby spits up often
Larger, faster growing babies may need more ounces per day while smaller babies may need less. Formula fed babies generally take in more ounces per day since formula is less nutrient dense than breastmilk. Feeding on demand allows your baby to increase intake during growth spurts. And babies who spit up frequently may need more feeding sessions to keep up their intake.
Signs Baby is Getting Enough
To ensure your 8 week old is getting enough breastmilk or formula, look for these signs:
- 6-8 wet diapers per day
- 3-4 dirty diapers per day
- Steady weight gain
- Content and alert after feeding
- Good sleep between feeds
If you are concerned your baby is not getting enough ounces per day, talk to your pediatrician. They can do a full assessment and help determine if your baby needs more milk.
How Often Should an 8 Week Old Eat?
At 8 weeks, most babies will eat around 8-12 times per day. This averages to about every 2-3 hours during the day. However, some babies may need to eat more frequently while others can go longer between feeds. It’s best to continue feeding your 8 week old on demand rather than a strict schedule.
Watch for your baby’s hunger cues like rooting, sucking motions, hands to mouth, etc. Allow baby to feed as long as needed at each breast or bottle. Don’t restrict feeding times. Babies this age need to eat frequently to support rapid growth and development.
Tips for Feeding an 8 Week Old
Here are some helpful tips when feeding your 8 week old baby:
- Pay attention to hunger cues and feed on demand.
- Alternate which breast you start on for breastfed babies.
- Pace bottle feeding to avoid overfeeding.
- Burp halfway through feeds and at the end.
- Hold baby close for comfort and bonding.
- Keep an eye on wet/dirty diapers to ensure adequate intake.
Feeding on demand and paying attention to hunger/fullness cues is key. It allows your baby to regulate intake based on growth needs. Take your time with feeds, provide comfort, and offer the breast or bottle as long as needed.
When to Talk to Your Pediatrician
Consult your pediatrician if you notice any of the following:
- Poor weight gain
- Dehydration signs like no tears or dry mouth
- Consistently less wet/dirty diapers than expected
- Difficulty latching or sucking
- Reflux or spit up that disrupts feeding
Your pediatrician can assess your baby’s growth, intake, and factors like latching or reflux. They may adjust feeding recommendations if needed. Seek help sooner rather than later if you are concerned.
Switching from Breastmilk to Formula
Some parents may need to or choose to switch from breastmilk to formula around 8 weeks old. When switching, here are some tips:
- Transition gradually over a week as you replace breastfeeds with bottles.
- Aim for the same number of ounces baby was getting of breastmilk.
- Use a standard newborn or infant formula to start.
- Adjust amount based on baby’s hunger cues and weight gain.
Check with your pediatrician for specific guidance on switching to formula at this age. Make the transition slowly and watch for any digestive issues. Monitor wet diapers, dirty diapers, and weight gain to ensure baby is getting enough formula.
Common Feeding Concerns at this Age
Some common feeding concerns that may come up around 8 weeks include:
- Slow weight gain or failure to thrive: Consult your pediatrician if weight gain is not on track.
- Colic or reflux: Smaller, more frequent feeds may help. Hold baby upright during/after feeds.
- Fussiness at the breast or bottle: Could indicate oversupply, overactive letdown, or feeding aversion. Seek lactation support.
- Decreased appetite: Watch for illness/infection. Growth spurts can also cause this.
Your pediatrician can help troubleshoot any feeding difficulties. There are many strategies to help babies who are struggling with reflux, slow weight gain, or breastfeeding challenges at this age. Seek professional lactation support if breastfeeding problems arise.
Increasing Milk Supply if Breastfeeding
If your breastfed baby seems hungrier than usual at 8 weeks old, your milk supply may need a boost. Here are some tips to increase low milk supply:
- Nurse on demand and allow longer/more frequent feeds.
- Offer both breasts at each session.
- Use breast compression and massage during feeds.
- Pump after or between feeds to boost supply.
- Stay hydrated and eat lactation-boosting foods.
Growth spurts around 8 weeks often trigger a temporary dip in supply as baby feeds more. Feeding on demand and allowing unrestricted time at the breast is key. See an IBCLC lactation consultant for specialized help.
Supplementing with Formula
If your breastmilk supply is low or you need to supplement for other reasons, some options include:
- Formula top-ups after nursing sessions.
- Alternating breastfeeds and formula feeds.
- Supplemental nursing system at the breast.
- Consulting with a lactation consultant for help.
Work closely with your pediatrician and lactation consultant if supplementing becomes necessary. Only use the recommended amount of formula top-ups after weighing the pros and cons.
Night Wakings and Feeding
Many 8 week old babies still wake 1-3 times at night for feeds. To handle night wakings:
- Expect to continue night feeds but try not to overfeed.
- Develop a calming, consistent bedtime routine.
- Gently shush and rock baby back to sleep without always feeding.
- Keep lights dim with night feeds.
- Ensure baby is getting enough food during daytime.
Gradually you can work on stretching the time between night feeds. But at this age, 1-3 feeds per night is still very normal and helps ensure baby gets enough milk daily.
Bottle Feeding Tips
If you are formula feeding or bottle feeding pumped breastmilk, here are some tips for 8 week old babies:
- Choose a slow flow newborn nipple to start.
- Hold baby close in a semi-upright position.
- Pace bottle feeding to avoid overfeeding.
- Take breaks to burp halfway and at end of feed.
- Watch for baby’s signs of fullness like slowing down.
Stick with a newborn flow nipple until 3-6 months old. Go slowly with bottle feeds and respond to baby’s cues. Keeping baby semi-upright can help with reflux too.
Introducing a Bottle
If you are breastfeeding but want to introduce an occasional bottle, tips include:
- Start with one bottle feed per day max.
- Have someone other than mom offer the first few bottles.
- Try when baby is calm, not overly hungry.
- Stick with slow flow nipples.
- Continue breastfeeding regularly.
Keep bottle use occasional and limited until breastfeeding is well established, usually around 3-6 weeks old. This helps avoid bottle preference or nipple confusion.
Cleaning and Sterilizing Feeding Supplies
To ensure feeding supplies are hygienic for your 8 week old:
- Clean bottles, nipples immediately after each use.
- Wash with hot soapy water and clean bottle brush.
- Sterilize by boiling, steaming, or using dishwasher.
- Do not re-use formula, only use fresh bottles.
- Replace nipples regularly as they wear out.
Keeping bottles and pump parts well cleaned is key, especially for young infants. Discuss sterilizing guidelines with your pediatrician as recommendations vary.
Average Feeding Schedule for an 8 Week Old
While you should feed on demand at this age, a sample daily feeding schedule may look like:
| Time | Feeding |
|---|---|
| 7-8 AM | Breastfeed or 5-6 oz bottle |
| 9-10 AM | Breastfeed or 5-6 oz bottle |
| 12-1 PM | Breastfeed or 5-6 oz bottle |
| 2-3 PM | Breastfeed or 5-6 oz bottle |
| 5-6 PM | Breastfeed or 5-6 oz bottle |
| 8-9 PM | Breastfeed or 5-6 oz bottle |
| 11 PM-1 AM | Dream feed breastfeed or 4-5 oz bottle |
| 2-3 AM | Breastfeed or 4-5 oz bottle |
This schedule has 6-8 daily feedings plus 1-2 dream feeds overnight. Again, use baby’s hunger cues as the guide not the clock!
Conclusion
Feeding an 8 week old baby around 24-32 ounces per day is typical, whether breast milk or formula. However every baby is unique, so feed on demand and use hunger/fullness cues as your guide. For breastfed babies, ensure mom has good milk supply. Bottle feeding requires pacing feeds and optimal nipple flow. At this age, night feeds are still normal and help baby get the ounces they need daily. Consult your pediatrician if you have any concerns about your baby’s growth, intake or feeding habits.
