As a new parent, it’s common to worry about whether your baby is getting the right amount to eat. At around 5 weeks old, babies go through a growth spurt and may seem hungrier than usual. While every baby is different, generally 4 ounces is not too much for a 5 week old to drink during a feeding. However, there are some factors to consider when determining the right amount for your particular infant.
Average Feeding Amounts
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, newborns up to 6 months old need to eat 8-12 times per day, or about 25-35 ounces total in a 24 hour period. They recommend the following as a general guide for feeding amounts:
- Birth to 3 days old: 1–3 ounces per feeding
- 4–6 weeks old: 4–5 ounces per feeding
- 2 months old: 5–6 ounces per feeding
- 3–5 months old: 6–8 ounces per feeding
So at 5 weeks old, the average baby will take around 4-5 ounces per feeding, with a total of 25-30 ounces in a day. While some babies will need slightly more or less, 4 ounces at a time falls well within the normal range.
Your Baby’s Signals
Rather than focusing on ounces, it’s best to let your baby’s signals guide you on how much to offer at each feeding. If they seem hungry and interested in feeding, let them continue to eat until they seem satisfied. Signs of fullness include:
- Turning away from the nipple
- Keeping lips closed when offered more
- Decreased sucking
- Hands and fingers relaxing from fists
- Pushing against the bottle or breast
- Increased drowsiness
If your 5 week old eagerly drinks 4 ounces and still seems hungry, it’s perfectly fine to offer more. Some babies have a larger appetite than others. On the other hand, if your baby starts showing disinterest after only 2 or 3 ounces, that’s fine too. Don’t force them to finish a certain amount.
Weight Gain
Another indicator of whether your 5 week old is eating enough is their weight gain. At this age, most babies gain:
- 4-8 ounces per week
- 120-200 grams per week
If your baby is having enough wet and dirty diapers and is gaining weight appropriately, then their feeding amount is likely sufficient. If weight gain seems slower than expected, then increasing the amount offered may help. Consult your pediatrician if concerned.
Feeding Schedule
While some 5 week old babies will take bigger feedings less often, others will need smaller amounts more frequently. This depends on their digestive capacity and personal preferences. Watch your baby for cues that they are hungry again, such as:
- Moving mouth and tongue
- Sucking on hands
- Rooting reflex
- Increased alertness or activity
Offer an additional feeding whenever you notice early hunger signals, regardless of time. Babies this age won’t develop a clear feeding schedule for several more weeks.
Bottle Feeding Log
To get a good picture of your 5 week old’s eating patterns, it’s helpful to keep track of their daily feeding amounts. Here is an example log:
| Time | Amount Consumed | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00am | 4 oz | Drank eagerly. Still acted hungry so I offered another ounce and baby drank it. |
| 9:30am | 3 oz | Seemed less interested halfway through. Turned head away when offered more. |
| 12:15pm | 4 oz | Drank whole amount. Fell asleep cuddling when done. |
Tracking feedings over a few days will reveal your baby’s usual intake at this age. It will also highlight their feeding style – whether they prefer smaller amounts more often or larger amounts less often. This can help you know what’s normal for your individual 5 week old.
Bottles and Nipples
When bottle feeding a 5 week old, make sure to use the optimal nipple flow rate. Going too fast can lead to overfeeding or spit up, while too slow can cause frustration. Here are some nipple flow guidelines by age:
| Age | Nipple Flow Rate |
|---|---|
| Newborn | Slow flow (1 hole) |
| 1-3 months | Newborn flow (2 holes) |
| 3-6 months | Slow or medium flow (2-3 holes) |
A newborn or slow flow nipple is usually appropriate at 5 weeks old. However, pay attention to any choking, gagging or dripping and size up if needed. Anti-colic bottles can help reduce excess air intake.
Formula Concentration
If feeding formula to a 5 week old, always carefully follow label instructions. Powdered formula must be mixed with water in the right concentration to provide proper nutrition. Here are typical guidelines:
- Newborn formula: 1 scoop powder to 2 ounces water
- Infant formula: 1 scoop powder to 2-3 ounces water
Adding extra water can lead to poor caloric intake. Use room temperature bottled or filtered water. Only make enough for one feeding at a time.
Breastfeeding on Cue
For breastfed babies, feed on demand whenever you see early hunger signals. Allow your 5 week old to nurse from each side until satisfied. Some babies may empty both breasts, while others need just one side per feeding. Let your baby detach naturally before switching sides. Supply and demand will establish your milk production to match baby’s needs.
Keep track of wet/dirty diapers and gain weight checks with your pediatrician. If your baby seems excessively hungry but isn’t gaining well, speak to a lactation consultant about improving milk transfer.
Paced Bottle Feeding
Even if your 5 week old wants to drink 4+ ounces in one go, slow the pace a bit. Rapid guzzling from a bottle can lead to overeating, gassiness or spit up. Try these paced feeding techniques:
- Hold baby upright in feeding position
- Keep bottle horizontal to prevent excessive milk flow
- Stroke baby’s cheek or break suction if drinking too fast
- Burp halfway through feeding
- Offer short 1-2 minute breaks
Pacing the bottles allows baby to recognize their fullness cues. Let them determine intake rather than forcing a set amount.
Is Your Baby Getting Enough?
While 4 ounces is well within the normal range for a 5 week old, the most important thing is that your baby is healthy, gaining weight, and seems satisfied. Here are some signs your baby may need more milk:
- Consistently drained bottles
- Showing hunger cues right after eating
- Not lasting 2-3 hours between feeds
- Falling off growth curve
- Strong latch and sucking that doesn’t produce milk
- Excessive crying or fussiness
If your baby acts hungry after larger volume feeds, try offering 5-6 ounces and see if the behavior resolves. For breastfed babies, feeding more frequently on demand is the solution. But excessive hunger can sometimes signal an underlying problem, so check with your pediatrician.
Overfeeding Dangers
While underfeeding is concerning, overfeeding a 5 week old can also pose risks. Potential issues include:
- Vomiting or excessive spit up
- Gassiness, diarrhea or constipation
- Risk of childhood obesity
- Difficulty self-regulating intake
- Distended stomach
- Failure to thrive if diet becomes diluted
- Choking from forceful feedings
Babies may need bigger feeds during growth spurts, but don’t intentionally overfeed. Let your 5 week old determine intake unless directed for medical reasons.
When to Contact the Pediatrician
Always bring up any feeding concerns at your 5 week well-child checkup. Notify the pediatrician sooner if you notice:
- Poor weight gain
- Little interest in feeding
- Consistent spitting up or vomiting
- Choking or coughing during feeds
- Difficulty latching or sucking
- Refusal to eat
- Excessive fussiness or fatigue
While some babies go through fussy phases, talk to the doctor if it seems extreme or accompanied by other symptoms. Bring a feeding log to help identify patterns.
Sleep and Hunger Cues
Since newborns sleep 16 or more hours a day, it can be tricky figuring out if fussiness is from hunger or simple tiredness. Use these tips to tell the difference in a 5 week old:
- Sleepy signs: yawning, rubbing eyes, disengagement, closed eyes
- Hungry signs: increased alertness, rooting, hands to mouth, sucking motions
- Try soothing baby to sleep. If they wake up fussing again shortly after, assume hunger is the culprit.
- Sleepy babies are less responsive while hungry babies become more alert when offered a bottle or breast.
When in doubt, offer a feed. Your 5 week old will rarely refuse food if genuinely hungry. You can always put them back to sleep when finished.
Growth Spurts
Increased hunger around 5 weeks often coincides with a period of rapid growth. Some signs your 5 week old is going through a growth spurt include:
- Eating more oz per feeding
- Wanting to feed more frequently
- Longer feedings with stronger sucking
- Waking more at night to feed
- Increased fussiness, cramping, or gassiness
- Sudden increase in wet or dirty diapers
This intense hunger should only last a few days. Offer an extra feeding whenever your baby shows hunger cues until the spurt passes. Don’t be alarmed if theytemporarily eat more than usual.
Conclusion
While guidelines provide averages, remember that every baby is unique. A 5 week old who consistently wants around 4 ounces is likely getting the right amount of nutrition. However, let your pediatrician know if you have any concerns about your baby’s weight gain, hunger cues, or feeding habits. With patience and attentiveness, you will get to know your baby’s needs. Trust those innate hunger and fullness signals to guide you on amounts.