👶 First year · Month 3

Week 10 old

What to expect at 10 weeks old: feeding amounts, sleep totals and wake windows, plus range-framed milestones for your nearly-3-month-old baby.

In short

At 10 weeks, most babies are eating about 24 to 32 oz a day, sleeping 14 to 17 hours total, and starting to reward you with social smiles and longer stretches of alertness. Development is best understood as a range, not a weekly schedule.

🍼 Feeding

Most 10-week-olds take about 24 to 32 oz of breast milk or formula per day. Formula-fed babies often have 4 to 6 oz per feeding every 3 to 4 hours; breastfed babies typically nurse 7 to 9 times in 24 hours, on demand. No solids yet at this age.

😴 Sleep

Roughly 14 to 17 hours total per day, usually split into 3 to 5 naps plus longer night stretches. Wake windows are short, often around 60 to 90 minutes before the next sleep. Some babies are starting a 4 to 6 hour stretch at night, but frequent night feeds are still completely normal.

What's happening this week

  • Around this age many babies are smiling on purpose in response to your face and voice, a milestone the CDC anchors to the 2-month checkup.
  • Many 10-week-olds are holding their head up more steadily during tummy time and may briefly push up on their forearms.
  • Babies this age often start cooing and making vowel-like sounds, taking turns 'talking' when you respond.
  • Hands are becoming more interesting now; many babies bring them to their mouth and may swipe at dangling toys.
  • Eyes are tracking better, and around now many babies follow a moving object from side to side and lock eyes with you.

Milestones to keep in mind

  • By the 2-month checkpoint, most babies smile socially, briefly calm when picked up or spoken to, and look at your face.
  • Heading toward the 4-month checkpoint, many babies are gaining head control and pushing up during tummy time, though the exact timing varies widely.
  • Cooing and back-and-forth 'conversations' often emerge around this age, but every baby has their own pace.
  • If your baby was born early, it's normal for these to track closer to their adjusted age; talk to your pediatrician if you have questions.

Growth

By around 10 weeks many babies have gained roughly 1.5 to 2 lb above birth weight and grown an inch or more, though healthy babies follow their own curve. Steady gain along their growth chart line matters more than hitting a specific number.

💡 Tip for this week

Daily tummy time in short, frequent sessions (a few minutes several times a day, always supervised and while awake) helps build the head and neck strength that supports milestones in the months ahead. For sleep, always place your baby on their back, on a firm flat surface, with no pillows, blankets, or bumpers.

⚠️ When to call your pediatrician

Call your pediatrician for: a rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher in a baby this young (an emergency at this age), fewer than 6 wet diapers a day, poor or no weight gain, refusing feeds or much less interest in eating, unusual fussiness or floppiness, trouble breathing, or no social smiling and little eye contact by the 2-month visit. When in doubt, always trust your gut and call.

Frequently asked

How much should a 10-week-old eat?

Most babies this age take about 24 to 32 oz of breast milk or formula daily. Formula-fed babies often have 4 to 6 oz every 3 to 4 hours, and breastfed babies typically nurse 7 to 9 times in 24 hours. Feed on demand and watch for steady weight gain rather than counting exact ounces.

How long should a 10-week-old sleep?

Around 14 to 17 hours total per day, spread across 3 to 5 naps and longer nighttime sleep. Wake windows are short, usually 60 to 90 minutes. Some babies start a longer night stretch around now, but waking to feed is still normal and expected at this age.

Is it normal that my 10-week-old isn't on a schedule yet?

Yes. At 10 weeks most babies don't follow a predictable schedule, and feeding and sleep can vary day to day. Following your baby's hunger and sleepy cues is more helpful than enforcing a clock right now. Routines tend to settle more in the coming months.

Looking for the bigger picture? See the month 3 overview →

General guidance, not medical advice. Every baby develops at their own pace — talk to your pediatrician with any concerns.