Feeding by age · Week 8
How much should an 8-week-old eat?
Last reviewed November 2026 against AAP, CDC, NHS and WHO guidance · Sources
Quick answer
Most 8-week-olds take about 4–5 oz (120–150 ml) of formula or expressed breast milk per feed, 6–7 times in 24 hours, for roughly 24–32 oz (720–960 ml) a day. Breastfed babies usually nurse 7–10 times a day. Between 2 and 4 months, many formula-fed babies start dropping the middle-of-the-night feed. Follow your baby's cues.
- Per feed
- 4–5 oz (120–150 ml)
- Feeds / 24h
- 6–7
- Daily formula
- 24–32 oz (720–960 ml)
On this page
How much should an 8-week-old eat?
| Formula | Breast milk | |
|---|---|---|
| Per feed | 4–5 oz (120–150 ml) | 3–5 oz (90–150 ml) per bottle of expressed milk; at the breast, your baby leads |
| Feeds in 24 hours | 6–7 | 7–10 breastfeeds |
| Daily total | 24–32 oz (720–960 ml) | About 750 ml (25 oz) |
| Typical gap | Every 3–4 hours | Every 2–4 hours |
What's happening at 8 weeks?
At two months, many formula-fed babies take about 4–5 oz (120–150 ml) per feed. The AAP describes intake rising by roughly 1 oz per month before leveling off at about 7–8 oz per feed.
The two-month checkup usually includes vaccines. If feeding changes for more than a day afterward, mention it to your pediatrician.
Between 2 and 4 months, the AAP says most formula-fed babies no longer need a middle-of-the-night feed, though many still take one. Breastfed babies often keep a night feed longer.
How much formula does an 8-week-old need by weight?
The AAP's rule of thumb uses weight instead of age: about 2½ oz of formula per pound of body weight a day, and no more than about 32 oz (960 ml). In the UK, the NHS uses a similar guide of 150–200 ml per kg a day after the first week. Both are rough checks, not targets.
| Baby's weight | Per day (AAP, 2½ oz per lb) | Per feed at 6–7 feeds |
|---|---|---|
| 10 lb (4.5 kg) | About 25 oz (750 ml) | 3.5–4 oz (105–120 ml) |
| 11 lb (5 kg) | About 27.5 oz (825 ml) | 4–4.5 oz (120–135 ml) |
| 12 lb (5.4 kg) | About 30 oz (900 ml) | 4.5–5 oz (135–150 ml) |
Sample 8-week-old feeding schedule
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| 3:30 am | Milk feed: 4–5 oz (120–150 ml) bottle, or a breastfeed |
| 7:00 am | Milk feed: 4–5 oz (120–150 ml) bottle, or a breastfeed |
| 10:30 am | Milk feed: 4–5 oz (120–150 ml) bottle, or a breastfeed |
| 1:30 pm | Milk feed: 4–5 oz (120–150 ml) bottle, or a breastfeed |
| 4:30 pm | Milk feed: 4–5 oz (120–150 ml) bottle, or a breastfeed |
| 7:00 pm | Milk feed: 4–5 oz (120–150 ml) bottle, or a breastfeed |
| 10:00 pm | Milk feed: 4–5 oz (120–150 ml) bottle, or a breastfeed |
Some 2-month-olds sleep through the 3:30 am feed on their own. Let your baby lead; don't force the stretch. Responsive feeding (offering milk when your baby shows hunger cues) matters more than the clock.
What are hunger and fullness cues at 8 weeks?
Hungry
- Rooting toward your chest or the bottle
- Fists to mouth and sucking sounds
- Puckering or smacking lips, clenched hands
- Fussing that builds; crying comes later
Full
- Closes mouth or pushes the nipple out with the tongue
- Turns head away from the breast or bottle
- Relaxed, open hands
- Fidgety or easily distracted once the edge is off
What changes next week?
Week 9 is usually a steady stretch, with more social, sometimes distracted feeds.
Read next: How much should a 9-week-old eat?
When to call your pediatrician
- A rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher in a baby 3 months or younger. The AAP says to call right away, even if your baby seems otherwise well.
- Fewer wet diapers than expected for their age (fewer than 6 a day from about day 5), or dark yellow urine.
- Very sleepy and hard to wake for feeds, floppy, or unusually quiet.
- Refusing feeds, or feeding poorly several times in a row.
- Signs of dehydration: dry mouth, no tears, or a sunken soft spot on the head.
- Forceful or green vomiting, or vomiting after most feeds.
- Red, black (after the first meconium poops) or white/pale gray poop.
- Yellow skin or eyes that spread or deepen, or any yellow color in the first 24 hours.
- Trouble breathing, blue or gray lips, or your baby is limp or very hard to wake: call 911 (or your local emergency number) now.
If something feels wrong, trust that feeling and call. You never need a reason beyond worry.
Questions parents ask
How much should a 2-month-old eat?
About 4–5 oz (120–150 ml) per feed, 6–7 times a day, adding up to around 24–32 oz (720–960 ml). Breastfed 2-month-olds usually nurse 7–10 times in 24 hours.
Can my 2-month-old drop the night feed?
Maybe soon. The AAP says most formula-fed babies no longer need a middle-of-the-night feed somewhere between 2 and 4 months. If your baby still wakes hungry, feed them. Ask your pediatrician if weight gain has been slow.
How long can a 2-month-old go between feeds?
Often 3 to 4 hours in the day, and the AAP notes that between 2 and 4 months some babies occasionally go up to 4 or 5 hours. Breastfed babies usually feed more often.
How do I know my 8-week-old is getting enough milk?
Look at diapers and growth more than ounces. Six or more wet diapers a day, regular poops, a baby who seems content after most feeds, and steady weight gain at checkups are the signs the AAP points to. If any of these slip, call your pediatrician.
Related guides
- Baby feeding chart by age: ounces and mlA baby feeding chart from week 1 to 12 months: ounces and ml per feed, feeds per day and daily totals for formula and breast milk, with sources.
- How to tell if your baby is getting enough breast milkSigns a breastfed baby is getting enough: wet and dirty diapers by day, weight gain, swallowing and contentment after feeds, plus the warning signs to act on.
- Newborn feeding schedule: what a day really looks likeSample newborn feeding schedules for breastfed, formula-fed and combo-fed babies, from the first week to 3 months, with feeds per day and gaps between feeds.
- Paced bottle feeding, step by stepHow to pace a bottle feed: positioning, a horizontal bottle, breaks every few sucks and fullness cues. Works for breast milk and formula, and for every caregiver.
Free tools
Sources
Last reviewed November 2026. Numbers are ranges from these public health sources; 1 oz ≈ 30 ml.
- AAP · HealthyChildren.org: How Much Formula Does My Baby Need?
- AAP · HealthyChildren.org: Amount and Schedule of Formula Feedings
- HSE (Ireland's public health service): How much breast milk to express
- AAP · HealthyChildren.org: Fever and Your Baby
- AAP · HealthyChildren.org: How to Tell if Your Breastfed Baby is Getting Enough Milk
Feedoo Baby shares general information, not medical advice. Every baby is different. If you're worried about feeding, weight gain, diapers or your baby's health, call your pediatrician, midwife or health visitor.