Your baby's third week: Growing alertness, developing personality, and strengthening bonds
| Feeding Type | Frequency | Amount/Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breastfeeding | 8-12 times/day | 15-30 minutes | More efficient feeding, longer intervals between feeds |
| Formula | 8-10 times/day | 2-4 oz per feed | May go 3-4 hours between feeds |
Growth spurt alert: Around week 3, many babies experience a growth spurt. This means more frequent feeding for 2-3 days is normal.
Around 2-3 weeks, babies often have a growth spurt with increased feeding demands.
Solution: Feed on demand, rest when possible, and remember it's temporary (2-3 days).
Babies become more aware and can get overwhelmed by too much stimulation.
Solution: Watch for tired cues, create calm environments, and allow quiet time.
Many babies become fussier in the evenings as their nervous system develops.
Solution: Try swaddling, gentle movement, white noise, or skin-to-skin contact.
Start with 2-3 minutes several times daily while baby is awake and supervised.
Talk, sing, and make eye contact during feeds and diaper changes.
Begin gentle routines for bedtime to help establish day/night patterns.
Accept help, rest when baby sleeps, and don't hesitate to ask for support.
Next week, you can expect even more personality to emerge, with possible first social smiles, improved head control, and longer periods of alertness.
