Newborn feeding volume: 30–60 mL per feed in week one, rising to 60–90 mL by weeks 1–3, with about 8–12 feeds in 24 hours.
New babies sip, then snooze, then ask for more. The amount in each feed shifts across the first days. Birth weight, gestation, and whether milk comes by breast, bottle, or both all shape the numbers. The guide below gives clear ranges most full-term babies follow. If your baby arrived early or has health concerns, your own doctor should set the plan.
Newborn Feeding: How Many Milliliters Per Feed By Day
The first week is a ramp-up. Stomach capacity and milk transfer both rise day by day. Use this table as a starting point, then let hunger and fullness cues steer you. Some feeds will be smaller, some bigger. That’s normal.
| Age | Typical intake per feed (mL) | Feeds in 24 h |
|---|---|---|
| First 24 hours | 2–10 | 8–12 |
| Day 2 | 10–20 | 8–12 |
| Day 3 | 20–30 | 8–12 |
| Day 4 | 30–40 | 8–12 |
| Days 5–7 | 30–60 | 8–12 |
| Weeks 1–3 | 60–90 | 8–12 (bottle-fed may space to 6–8) |
| Week 4+ | 90–120 (some to 150) | 6–8 |
The early rows mirror common colostrum volumes. By weeks 1–3 many babies take 60–90 mL per feed. Bottle-fed babies often stretch time between feeds sooner than directly breastfed babies.
Why The Numbers Climb So Fast
On day one, a tiny stomach handles small sips. By day three it holds more, and by the end of week one it can manage 45–60 mL in a sitting. Milk flow changes too. Colostrum leads, then mature milk arrives and intake rises. That’s why cluster feeding can hit in the evenings. It helps match supply to need. Respond to cues, and the daily total lands where it should.
Hunger And Fullness Cues
Watch the baby, not the clock. Early cues: stirring, rooting, hand-to-mouth, lip smacking. Late cues: crying, rigid limbs. During a feed, look for steady sucks with short pauses, soft cheeks, and relaxed hands. Stop when swallowing slows, the head turns away, or the jaw loosens. With bottles, a slow-flow nipple and a paced style help babies self-regulate.
What A Real Day Might Look Like
Day two at home: a feed around 2 a.m., another near 4 a.m., then a longer doze. After sunrise, feeds come every two to three hours. Mid-day, a nap follows a calm bottle or breast session. Toward evening, you may see two to three closer feeds back-to-back. That flurry can be tiring, but it’s a normal pattern as supply settles. Overnight, some babies give one longer stretch, others keep to the same rhythm. Both are fine.
Breastfeeding And Formula Patterns
Direct breastfeeding often means smaller, more frequent feeds. Eight to twelve feeds across 24 hours is common in the first weeks. If using infant formula only, many babies start with 30–60 mL per feed every 2–3 hours in the first days, then move toward 60–90 mL. Offer more if clear hunger cues continue after a burp and a short pause. If a bottle is drained fast, slow the nipple flow and pace the feed before adding volume.
For reference, see the CDC guidance on formula amounts and the AAP’s note that many babies take about 30–60 mL per feed in the first week before stepping up in the following weeks (HealthyChildren explainer).
Bottle Tips That Keep Volumes Right
Pick The Flow
Use the slowest nipple that gives steady swallowing without straining. A fast nipple can flood a tiny mouth, trigger gulping, and lead to spit-up that looks like hunger when it isn’t.
Pace The Feed
Hold the bottle more horizontal, let the baby draw the milk, and pause every few minutes for a burp. Switch arms midway to mimic the breast rhythm. A paced style keeps intake smooth and reduces gas.
Match The Bottle Size
Small 120 mL bottles fit week-one and week-two feeds. Move to 150–180 mL later. Jumbo bottles can prompt overpours and pressure to finish what isn’t needed.
Diapers, Growth, And Red Flags
Wet and dirty diapers track intake well. In the first days you may see two to three wet diapers. By day five, expect five to six or more with pale yellow urine. Stools shift from dark meconium to yellow and loose by the end of the first week. Many breastfed babies stool often in the first month, then less often later. Steady weight gain and a calm window of one to three hours between feeds point to enough milk.
Call your pediatrician right away if any of these show up: fewer than four wet diapers on day four, fewer than six wet diapers after day five, hard-to-wake baby, weak sucking, deep yellow skin spreading below the face, fast breathing, or repeated vomiting that soaks clothes. Trust your instincts; if something feels off, get care.
Special Cases That Change The Plan
Late Preterm Or Small For Dates
These babies tire faster and may need shorter, more frequent feeds and extra skin-to-skin time. Extra weight checks are common. Your care team may suggest expressed milk top-ups or fortified feeds for a period of time.
Reflux And Spit-Up
Most spit-up is laundry, not illness. Smaller, paced feeds with upright holds after feeding help. If there’s blood, poor weight gain, or clear distress with feeds, book a visit.
Pumping With Direct Breastfeeding
When pumping to replace or add feeds, match the baby’s rhythm. Early on that’s about every 2–3 hours by day, with one session overnight. Freshly expressed milk served in small portions (30–60 mL) keeps waste low in the early weeks. As intake climbs, bottles can step up in 15–30 mL increments.
How To Read The Baby During A Feed
Look for active swallowing, gentle jaw movement, and a relaxed brow. Short pauses between bursts are normal. If cheeks pull in or the tongue snaps, slow the flow or reset the latch. If breathing speeds up or the baby stiffens, pause, burp, and let the pace settle. Toward the end, swallowing fades and the body loosens. That’s your cue to stop, even if there’s milk left.
Common Myths, Cleared Up
Bigger Bottles Lead To Longer Sleep
Sleep length ties to many things: age, day-night rhythm, and temperament. Extra milk at bedtime often adds spit-up and gas, not extra rest.
Crying Always Means Hunger
Crying is late. Try a diaper change, a burp, skin-to-skin, or a brief hold. If cues resume after that, offer the next feed.
Milk In The First Days Isn’t Enough
Colostrum is thick and rich. Small volumes match a tiny stomach well. Frequent feeds move things along and bring mature milk in on time.
Newborn Feeding: How Many Milliliters Per Feed — By Weight
Daily intake can be estimated from weight when bottles are in the mix. Many services use 150–200 mL per kilogram per day for babies under six months. Treat this as a guide, not a quota, and keep letting cues lead each sitting. The table shows common weights with a rough per-feed split if you aim for eight feeds in a day.
| Weight (kg) | Daily total (mL) | Per feed if 8 feeds (mL) |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5 | 375–500 | 45–65 |
| 3.0 | 450–600 | 55–75 |
| 3.5 | 525–700 | 65–90 |
| 4.0 | 600–800 | 75–100 |
| 4.5 | 675–900 | 85–115 |
These are planning ranges, not marching orders. Many babies take more in the morning and less overnight. Growth and diaper output are better scorecards than any single bottle size.
Quick Troubleshooting
Baby Stops After 20–30 mL In Week One
Burp, change sides, and try a brief break. If cues fade, that small feed might be enough. Offer the next feed sooner.
Baby Always Drains 120 mL At Two Weeks
Try a slower nipple and paced style. If cues still call for more, add 15–30 mL and watch diapers and comfort.
Lots Of Gas And Arches Back
Shorten each feed, add burp breaks, and double-check latch or bottle angle. If crying dominates feeds, see the pediatrician.
Bottom Line
Most newborns start around 30–60 mL per feed, move to 60–90 mL by weeks 1–3, and eat eight to twelve times each day. Follow the baby, not the bottle size. When cues lead the way, volume lands in the right place.