Wondering how much your newborn should eat? You’re not alone. This simple feeding guide for new parents will help you figure out how many ounces your baby needs and how often to feed, based on real pediatric guidelines.
A Simple Feeding Guide for New Parents
You’re home from the hospital, the baby’s swaddled like a burrito, and now you’re staring at the bottle thinking: “How much should I be feeding them?”
Take a deep breath — this guide is here to help. Whether you’re bottle-feeding formula, pumped milk, or a combo of both, we’ll walk through how much your baby should be eating based on their weight and age. No guilt. No overwhelm. Just clear info from a friend who gets it.
Quick Answer: Use the Feeding Calculator
Want a personalized answer?
➡️ Try our Baby Feeding Calculator — enter your baby’s weight and how often they eat to get a daily and per-feeding estimate.
Based on common pediatric guidelines: 2.5 oz per pound of body weight per day.
Newborn Feeding Basics (0–4 weeks)
- Most newborns eat 6–10 times per day
- Total intake should be about 2.5 oz per pound per day
(For example, an 8 lb baby = ~20 oz per day) - That breaks down to 2–3 oz per feeding early on
- Feeding sessions typically happen every 2–4 hours, even overnight
Feeding Chart by Weight
| Baby’s Weight | Total Per Day | Average Per Feeding (8 feedings) |
| 6 lbs | 15 oz | ~1.9 oz |
| 7 lbs | 17.5 oz | ~2.2 oz |
| 8 lbs | 20 oz | ~2.5 oz |
| 9 lbs | 22.5 oz | ~2.8 oz |
| 10 lbs | 25 oz | ~3.1 oz |
But How Do I Know They’re Hungry?
Look for hunger cues before the crying starts:
- Rooting (turning head toward the bottle)
- Sucking on fingers or fists
- Lip smacking
- Restlessness or fussing
What If Baby Isn’t Eating Enough?
This is super common — especially in the early days.
Watch for:
- Less than 6 wet diapers/day after day 4
- Lethargy or very short feedings
- No weight gain after the first week
If you’re worried, call your pediatrician.
And remember: You’re not overreacting. You’re parenting.
Positioning Matters
Hold your baby at a 45-degree angle
Tilt the bottle so milk fills the nipple to avoid swallowing air
Burp every 1–2 oz early on
Good gear helps too:
- Anti-colic bottles – https://amzn.to/43tHSFX
- Soft bibs for spit-up moments https://amzn.to/3Ssz1ho
- Bottle warmers for nighttime sanity https://amzn.to/3FnnmNV
Real Talk From One Parent to Another
You’re not supposed to know everything.
You’re learning, adjusting, and loving your baby the best way you know how. That makes you the perfect parent for them.
If you’re still unsure, try the calculator above or talk to your pediatrician. There’s no shame in asking questions — it’s how we learn.