Quick Answer
Most 5-week-old babies eat around 2-3 ounces per feeding, so 6 ounces may be too much for a single feeding at this age. It’s best to follow your baby’s hunger cues and allow them to eat to fullness rather than encouraging them to finish a set amount. Overfeeding can lead to spitting up, gas, and disrupted sleep patterns. If your baby seems content after eating less than 6 ounces, that amount is likely appropriate for now. Speak with your pediatrician if you have concerns about your baby’s eating habits.
How Much Should a 5-Week-Old Eat?
At 5 weeks old, most babies eat around 2-3 ounces per feeding. However, every baby is different. Here are some general guidelines for feeding amounts at this age:
– Breastfed babies will eat varying amounts at each feeding, as breastmilk content and flow varies. Let your breastfed baby nurse on demand.
– Formula fed babies may take 2-4 ounces every 2-4 hours. Follow your baby’s hunger cues rather than sticking to a strict schedule.
– As a general rule of thumb, your baby’s stomach capacity is around 2.5 ounces per pound of body weight. So a 10 pound baby would take around 25 ounces (or 8 feedings of 3 ounces) in 24 hours.
– Babies go through growth spurts around 2-3 weeks and 6 weeks where they may eat more frequently and in larger amounts for a few days.
– Speak with your pediatrician if you are concerned your baby is not eating enough or seems excessively hungry after feedings.
Is 6 Ounces Too Much for a 5-Week-Old?
In most cases, 6 ounces is too much for a single feeding at 5 weeks old. Here’s why:
– A newborn’s stomach is small and expands as the baby grows. Most 5 week olds can’t comfortably consume more than 3-4 ounces at once.
– Overfeeding can lead to spit up, gas, abdominal discomfort, and disrupted sleep as baby tries to digest the large volume.
– Encouraging baby to finish a bottle rather than feeding on demand disrupts their ability to self-regulate intake based on hunger and fullness cues. This can lead to unhealthy eating patterns.
– Bottle fed babies may take larger volumes due to the fast flow of bottles compared to breastfeeding. Focus on pace feeding to allow for breaks and prevent overeating.
– Large feedings don’t mean baby will sleep longer! More food does not equal more sleep at this age. Follow your baby’s tired cues for naps and bedtime.
Of course, some babies have higher appetites or growth spurts resulting in increased intake for a short time. But in general, 6 ounces exceeds the typical 5 week old’s stomach capacity per feeding.
Signs Baby is Ready for More than 2-4 Ounces
While 2-4 ounces is the typical range for a 5 week old, watch for these signs that your baby may need more:
– Takes full feedings consistently but still seems hungry, sucking on hands or rooting after
– Fussiness or excessive crying that is only soothed by offering more milk
– Not lasting the typical 2-4 hours between feedings or eating more frequently
– Waking to feed multiple times overnight
– More frequent dirty diapers indicating higher milk intake
– Dropping in growth curve percentiles or not regaining birth weight by 2 weeks
If your baby is displaying these cues, try offering another half to full ounce after or shortening the time between feedings. Speak with your pediatrician if you are concerned your baby is not eating enough.
Risks of Overfeeding a 5-Week-Old
While some babies truly need more than average intake, overfeeding can pose some risks. Here are a few to be aware of:
– Spit up and gastroesophageal reflux – Too much volume can overwhelm baby’s still-developing digestive system and lead to spit up.
– Gas and abdominal discomfort – Overfilling the stomach with air while feeding can cause pain, gas, and colic symptoms.
– Obesity – Pressuring babies to finish bottles overrides internal fullness cues and promotes overeating. This can lead to poor eating habits.
– Ear infections – When babies drink lying down, milk can travel into the eustachian tubes and lead to infection.
– Tooth decay – Excess milk sitting on teeth promotes bacteria growth leading to “bottle rot”.
– Disrupted sleep – Trying to digest large feedings can interfere with sleep.
– Dehydration – Filling up on excess milk can decrease interest in breastmilk/formula.
To avoid overfeeding, follow your baby’s hunger cues, burp frequently during feeds, pace bottle feeds, and offer smaller amounts more frequently if needed.
Tips for Paced Bottle Feeding
Paced feeding or responsive feeding is an excellent way to allow baby to regulate intake from a bottle. Here are some tips:
– Hold baby semi-upright in a comfortable position facing your body.
– Use slow-flow nipples appropriate for baby’s age.
– Tip the bottle horizontally to control the milk flow.
– Offer breaks every 5 minutes or so where you remove the nipple and burp.
– Follow baby’s cues – if they turn away, close mouth, or spit out nipple they are likely full.
– Patience is key! Feeding may take 15-20 minutes. Slow is best to allow baby’s stomach time to signal fullness to the brain.
Paced feeding prevents overfeeding, choking, and ear infections while encouraging healthy eating habits. If you are concerned your baby seems hungry after finishing a bottle, check with your pediatrician before increasing amounts.
When to Talk to a Doctor
Consult your pediatrician if you notice any of the following around feeding at 5 weeks:
– Difficulty latching, sucking, or swallowing during breast or bottle feeding
– Reflux or spit up after many feedings
– Consistent fussiness or crying during/after feedings
– Little interest in eating or difficulty waking for feedings
– Fewer than 6 wet diapers per day after breast/formula established
– Weight loss or inadequate weight gain over 2-3 weeks
– Signs of dehydration such as dark urine, dry mouth, or sunken eyes/fontanelle
– Very distracted or disinterested during feedings
– Colic symptoms like intense crying and gassiness
Bringing up any feeding concerns right away can help identify any problems and get baby back on track. Your pediatrician can look into whether an underlying condition is at play.
Ways to Assess Baby’s Hunger Cues
Rather than focusing on ounces, look for these early signs your baby is ready to eat around 5 weeks:
– Stirring, squirming, or stretching when asleep
– Bringing hands to mouth and sucking on fists
– Lip smacking
– Rapid eye movements under eyelids
– Cooing or fussing when awake
– Rooting reflex – turning mouth toward breast/bottle when cheek is stroked
Crying is a late sign of hunger that you’ll want to get ahead of by feeding at the earliest cues. Know your baby’s signals so you can respond promptly.
Feeding Tips for a 5-Week-Old
Here are some feeding tips to keep your 5 week old happy and healthy:
– Feed on demand rather than on a rigid schedule. Follow baby’s hunger cues.
– Alternate which breast you offer first if breastfeeding.
– Burp halfway through and after feeding. Baby may need multiple burps!
– Try skin-to-skin contact if breastfed baby seems fussy while nursing.
– Gently rub baby’s back, feet or ears to encourage awake feeding.
– Avoid too much artificial nipple sucking between feeds as it may interfere with breastfeeding.
– Irritability and increased feeding may indicate a growth spurt – offer more frequent feeds.
– Know signs of reflux like back arching or crying during/after eating – discuss with pediatrician.
– Try probiotics to ease gas, colic, or reflux symptoms. Check with your doctor first.
Responsive, paced bottle feeding and learning your baby’s early hunger signals makes feeding time less stressful for both of you! Reach out to a lactation consultant or pediatrician with any concerns.
Conclusion
At 5 weeks old, most babies can comfortably consume 2-4 ounces per feeding. Six ounces exceeds the typical stomach capacity for this age and can lead to overfeeding. Instead of focusing on volume, watch your baby’s hunger and fullness cues. Offer small, frequent feeds using paced bottle feeding techniques. Check with your pediatrician if your 5 week old seems excessively hungry or is showing signs of reflux after eating. With a responsive approach, your baby can guide you to the right amount at each feeding.