Week 2 at a glance
Week 2 is mostly about establishing feeding rhythms and helping your baby regain birth weight. Most babies are back to birth weight by day 14. Cluster feeding, frequent waking, and jaundice follow-up visits are all normal this week.
Your baby is still very much in early adjustment mode. Most newborns lose 5–10% of birth weight in the first days, then begin regaining it steadily. The goal is to be back at birth weight by day 14. Your healthcare provider will confirm this at a weight check.
Visually, your baby may track your face briefly at close range (20–30 cm is their sweet spot). They may startle at loud sounds and calm to your voice. Sleep is still fragmented across all hours.
{callout("info", "Newborn jaundice follow-up", "If your baby was mildly jaundiced in week 1, your provider may request a follow-up bilirubin check this week. Yellowing that persists past 2 weeks or worsens needs evaluation. See our guide on newborn jaundice for what to look for.")}Breastfed babies typically feed 8–12 times per 24 hours. If you're breastfeeding, watch for strong, rhythmic swallowing during feeds — a sign milk transfer is happening well. Many parents notice a growth spurt around day 10–14, which triggers cluster feeding: baby may want to feed every 30–90 minutes for a day or two.
Formula-fed babies typically take 60–90 ml (2–3 oz) per feed at this age, every 2–3 hours.
{callout("warning", "Weight check this week", "If your baby hasn't returned to birth weight by day 14, or if they seem too sleepy to wake for feeds, call your midwife or pediatrician. Early intervention makes a big difference.")}Track wet nappies as your primary feeding confirmation: 6 or more per day from day 5 onward is the standard sign of adequate intake. Read our guide on breastfeeding latch problems if feeds feel painful or inefficient.
Newborns sleep 16–17 hours per 24 hours, but rarely in stretches longer than 2–3 hours. Night and day are still reversed for most babies — they may sleep longest in the afternoon. This is normal and will shift naturally over weeks 3–6 as circadian rhythms begin to develop.
Keep night feeds calm and dimly lit. Avoid stimulating baby after night feeds to avoid reinforcing wakefulness at night. See our complete newborn sleep guide for what to expect each week.
All sleep should follow safe sleep guidelines: firm flat surface, on their back, no loose bedding or soft objects in the sleep space.
By day 5, your baby should have at least 6 wet nappies and 3–4 dirty nappies per day. Stools transition from dark meconium to seedy yellow if breastfeeding, or tan/yellow if formula-feeding.
The umbilical cord stump usually falls off between days 7–21. Keep it clean and dry. If the area around it becomes red, warm, or smells bad, call your pediatrician.
⚠️ When to call your pediatrician
weight not back to birth weight by day 14 · fewer than 6 wet nappies per day after day 5 · yellow skin spreading below the belly or into eyes · baby too sleepy to wake for feeds · any signs of infection around umbilical cord stump
🚨 Seek care immediately if
baby has difficulty breathing · skin is blue or grey · won't wake at all · temperature below 36°C (96.8°F) or above 38°C (100.4°F)
Week 3 often brings the first big growth spurt, which means increased fussiness, constant feeding, and disrupted sleep for a few days. Many parents find week 3 harder than week 1 — knowing it passes helps. Head to week 3 to see exactly what's coming.
Count wet nappies: 6 or more per day by day 5 indicates adequate intake. Weight should return to birth weight by day 14. If your baby has fewer wet nappies, seems very sleepy, or hasn't regained weight, call your pediatrician or midwife promptly.
Yes. Many babies feed every 30–90 minutes in the evenings during weeks 2–3. This is how they build your milk supply and satisfy a growth spurt. Offer the breast or bottle whenever baby shows hunger cues, and rest when baby rests.
Mild newborn jaundice is common in the first two weeks and usually resolves on its own. However, yellowing that appears after day 14, worsens, or is accompanied by poor feeding or extreme sleepiness needs prompt medical review. Call your pediatrician if unsure.
Most 2-week-olds wake every 2–3 hours to feed overnight. Until your baby has regained birth weight, pediatricians generally recommend feeding at least every 3 hours at night. Once weight is confirmed adequate, you can allow longer stretches if baby initiates them.
Week-by-week newborn tracking, sleep logs, feeding tracker, and more.
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Week-by-week newborn tracking, sleep logs, feeding tracker, and more.
Track your newborn →No credit card · No ads · Always free