We bet you can already feed your baby one-handedly and while just three weeks old. Mama, that’s some serious development! Your aim at this time should be to feed your baby in a method that feels right for you, whether that be through breastfeeding, formula feeding, or a combination of both. If anything doesn’t seem right, ask for assistance. The “village” structure that mothers from previous generations benefited from may not exist now, but we do have the advantage of having access to pediatricians, lactation consultants, and video conversations with encouraging friends.
What should a baby that is three weeks old eat?
The following feeding patterns and dosages are suggested for 3-week-olds by the American Academy of Pediatrics and La Leche League.
2 to 3 ounces of breast milk every two to three hours
Formula: two to three ounces every three to four hours
Be aware that your baby’s feeding windows may be a little wider if you use formula because it is often digested more slowly than breast milk (meaning it takes longer to digest and empty from the stomach).The responsive feeding strategy, also known as feeding on demand, looks to the infant’s hunger cues to determine when to feed, and is advised by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The timetables listed here are merely examples; to determine when your baby is ready for the next feeding, pay attention to his or her hunger cues. Babies’ hunger cues and feeding schedules start to become a little more predictable as they get older.
The schedules provided are broad suggestions of how often you should feed your baby rather than strict guidelines because it’s more crucial that you pay attention to your baby’s instincts than strictly follow a defined routine.
These recommendations mostly apply to infants who are fully developed at birth and have no underlying medical issues. See your kid’s pediatrician for a more specific feeding plan if your baby is premature, has a specific medical issue, or if you have any other queries about your child.
