Week 2 old
What to expect at 2 weeks old: feeding around the clock, the regained-birth-weight milestone, newborn sleep totals, and the safe-sleep basics every new parent needs.
In short
At 2 weeks old, your baby is feeding 8 to 12 times a day, sleeping in short stretches that add up to most of the day, and should be back to (or near) birth weight around now. Frequent feeding, fussy evenings, and lots of diapers are all normal.
🍼 Feeding
Most 2-week-olds feed 8 to 12 times in 24 hours, roughly every 2 to 3 hours. Breastfed babies often take a feed every 1.5 to 3 hours; formula-fed babies typically take about 2 to 3 ounces per feeding, often around 14 to 24 ounces total per day. Feed on demand and watch for early hunger cues (rooting, hands to mouth) rather than waiting for crying.
😴 Sleep
Newborns this age sleep about 14 to 17 hours total across the day and night, in short 2 to 4 hour stretches with no real day-night rhythm yet. Wake windows are very short, often just 45 to 60 minutes. Always place your baby on their back to sleep, on a firm flat surface, with no pillows, blankets, bumpers, or soft toys.
What's happening this week
- •Around this age many babies start to regain the weight they lost in the first days, often returning to birth weight by about 10 to 14 days
- •Newborn reflexes are strong right now: the startle (Moro) reflex, rooting, and a tight grasp are all expected and will fade over the coming months
- •Vision is still blurry and short-range; many 2-week-olds focus best on faces and objects about 8 to 12 inches away
- •Babies this young can briefly turn toward familiar sounds and a parent's voice, though responses are inconsistent and that's completely normal
- •These are not per-week checkpoints; the first formal milestone review with your pediatrician comes around the 2-month visit
Milestones to keep in mind
- ✓By the 2-month checkup, many babies begin to briefly lift their head during tummy time and make their first short coos, but at 2 weeks this is still ahead, not expected yet
- ✓Around this age you may notice brief, fleeting smiles, usually reflexive rather than the true social smile that often emerges closer to 6 to 8 weeks
- ✓Toward the 2-month checkpoint babies start to follow a face or object with their eyes for a moment; at 2 weeks tracking is just beginning and may be brief or jerky
- ✓Remember CDC milestone checkpoints are at 2, 4, 6, 9, and 12 months, not weekly, so think in ranges rather than exact days
Growth
💡 Tip for this week
Track wet and dirty diapers, not just feeds: by now expect about 6 or more wet diapers a day and regular stools. It's the simplest at-home sign your baby is getting enough milk, and it gives you something concrete to report to your pediatrician.
⚠️ When to call your pediatrician
Call your pediatrician right away for a rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher in a baby this young, fewer than 6 wet diapers a day or signs of dehydration (dry mouth, sunken soft spot, no tears), worsening yellow color of the skin or eyes (jaundice), refusing to feed or feeding very poorly, unusual sleepiness or hard-to-wake behavior, or no return toward birth weight by the 2-week check. Any fever in a baby under 3 months is treated as an emergency.
Frequently asked
How much should a 2-week-old eat?
Most 2-week-olds feed 8 to 12 times a day. Breastfed babies nurse roughly every 1.5 to 3 hours, and formula-fed babies usually take about 2 to 3 ounces per feeding, often around 14 to 24 ounces total in 24 hours. Feed on demand and follow your baby's hunger cues; your pediatrician can confirm amounts at your visit.
Is it normal for a 2-week-old to feed constantly?
Yes. Frequent and sometimes back-to-back feeding (cluster feeding), often in the evening, is very common at this age and helps build your milk supply. As long as your baby has plenty of wet diapers, is gaining weight, and seems satisfied between clusters, it's usually normal. Mention any concerns to your pediatrician.
How long should my 2-week-old sleep at a stretch?
Newborns this age sleep about 14 to 17 hours total per day in short 2 to 4 hour stretches, with no settled day-night pattern yet. Waking often to feed is expected and healthy. Always place your baby on their back on a firm, flat surface with no loose bedding.
Looking for the bigger picture? See the month 1 overview →
General guidance, not medical advice. Every baby develops at their own pace — talk to your pediatrician with any concerns.