Most full-term newborns drink 45–90 mL per feed in week 1, rising to roughly 75–120 mL by weeks 2–4, across 8–12 feeds a day.
You want a straight, parent-ready answer in milliliters. In the first days, feeds are tiny. By the end of week one, most babies are taking 45–90 mL per feed. Over the next few weeks, many settle around 75–120 mL per feed across 8–12 feeds in 24 hours. The exact number depends on age in days, birth weight, and whether milk is from breast or formula.
Feeding patterns change fast in the newborn period. Colostrum is dense and comes in small amounts, then milk volume steps up. Bottle volume ramps too, but babies still do best when you watch cues, not the clock. Use the guide below to place your baby’s age on a simple mL range, then fine-tune based on cues, diapers, and growth.
How Many Ml Of Milk Should A Newborn Drink Daily?
There are two handy ways to frame it. One is per-feed volume by age; the other is total mL per day based on body weight for formula. Both sit inside a wide normal range because babies vary. Start with the per-feed ranges here, then adjust with the weight-based rule further down if you’re planning bottles for the day.
Per-Feed Ranges In The First Month
These ranges reflect common intake for full-term babies. Early days are tiny sips that grow fast. By the end of week one, a single feed often lands between 45 and 90 mL. By weeks two to four, many feeds run 75 to 120 mL. Some babies take more, some less, and both can be fine when diapers and growth are on track.
| Age | Per Feed (mL) | Feeds / 24 h |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 5–10 | 8–12 |
| Day 2 | 5–15 | 8–12 |
| Days 3–4 | 15–30 | 8–12 |
| End Of Week 1 | 45–90 | 8–12 |
| Weeks 2–3 | 60–105 | 8–12 |
| Week 4 | 75–120 | 7–10 |
Why The Ranges Differ
Age in days matters. Day-one stomach capacity is tiny, then it stretches over the week. Birth weight nudges the range up or down. Bottle vs breast also changes pacing; bottles can flow faster, so use slow-flow teats and pause often. Some babies sprint early, then sip. Others cluster at night. All normal patterns when diapers and weight gain look good.
Feed Size By Day, Then Week
Days 1–2: Expect teaspoon-size feeds. Many babies take 5–15 mL at a time, very often. Colostrum covers needs while the body ramps supply. Formula-fed babies also start small; big early bottles can lead to spit-up and discomfort.
Days 3–4: Intake jumps to roughly 15–30 mL per feed as milk volume rises and the tummy stretches. Feeds are still frequent. Diapers begin to pick up.
End Of Week 1: Most babies reach 45–90 mL per feed. Feeds can begin to space a little, though many still eat 8–12 times in 24 hours.
Weeks 2–4: Many babies land between 75 and 120 mL per feed, with total daily intake spread across 7–10 feeds. Growth spurts can bring a few big days. Let baby lead.
For formula planning in week one, the American Academy of Pediatrics notes that babies usually take about 30–60 mL per feed, then build from there. You can see this in their formula amount and schedule guide.
Using Body Weight To Plan Bottles
A common planning rule for formula is 150–200 mL per kilogram of body weight in 24 hours through the early months. That range helps you map total daily volume, then divide by your baby’s usual number of feeds. The NHS gives this weight-based guide to keep daily intake in a healthy band while you still follow hunger and fullness cues.
Worked Examples
Baby at 3.0 kg: 150–200 mL/kg/day equals 450–600 mL in 24 hours. With 10 feeds, that’s roughly 45–60 mL per feed on average. With 8 feeds, plan 55–75 mL, knowing some feeds run higher and some lower.
Baby at 3.6 kg: 150–200 mL/kg/day equals 540–720 mL in 24 hours. With 8 feeds, that averages 70–90 mL per feed; with 10 feeds, 55–75 mL.
These are planning numbers, not targets you must hit every single time. Babies self-adjust across the day. If you track a few days and the total sits near the range, you’re on the right path.
Reading Hunger And Fullness Cues
Offer milk when you see early cues: stirring, mouth opening, rooting, hand-to-mouth, gentle fussing. Aim to stop when you see slow sucking, relaxed hands, and turning away. Responsive feeding keeps intake aligned with need and supports steady growth. If you’re pacing bottles, tip the bottle down for short breaks every few minutes so baby can breathe, swallow, and decide whether to keep going.
Night feeds matter. Many newborns take a big share of milk after sunset. That’s normal. If you’re pumping, spread sessions across day and night for steady supply. If you’re using both breast and bottle, keep flow slow and let baby pause often so the bottle doesn’t overpower cues.
Expected Diapers And Growth
Wet diapers pick up after the first couple of days. By day five, many babies pass six or more wets and regular stools. Color shifts from meconium to lighter shades across the week. Weight often dips a little after birth, then comes back over the next 10–14 days. Your care team checks gain and gives tailored advice when numbers trend high or low.
Too Little Or Too Much?
If feeds are always short and baby looks sleepy at the breast or bottle, try waking techniques and more frequent sessions. If spit-up or gassiness spikes with large bottles, go slower, burp mid-feed, and offer smaller, more frequent volumes. If diapers stay low or weight stalls, book a check without delay. For frequent rigid crying with arching, speak with your doctor.
Bottle Know-How That Keeps mL On Track
Choose A Slow Flow
Slow-flow teats help newborns set the pace. Test in the upright cradle position. Milk should drip, not stream. If baby finishes fast and looks gassy, step down a flow size.
Paced Bottle Technique
Hold the bottle more horizontal, keep the nipple only partly full, and pause every few minutes. Switch sides halfway to mimic breast side-switching. This keeps the feed near 10–20 minutes and supports satiety signals.
Measure Smart
Use bottles with clear 5 mL increments. When mixing formula, level scoops and fresh water at safe temperature give consistent mL. If you’re pumping, mark an average feed size for your baby’s current week and stash milk in that portion plus a few 15–30 mL toppers for growth spurts.
Signs Baby Is Getting Enough
Good intake shows up as content periods after feeds, a steady diaper pattern, and growth checks that track well. The table below gives quick clues that help you adjust volume or pace.
| Sign | What You’ll See | What To Do |
|---|---|---|
| Content After Feeds | Relaxed hands, calm body, easy sleep | Keep current pace and volumes |
| Plenty Of Wets | By day 5: 6+ wets in 24 h | Stay responsive; offer on early cues |
| Regular Stools | Transition from dark to mustard shades | Normal range is wide; watch the trend |
| Frequent Spit-Up | Large, forceful, or with fussing | Slow flow, pace feeds, try smaller mL more often; call your doctor if it keeps up |
| Low Output | Few wets, dark urine, dry mouth | Offer more often; arrange a same-day check |
| Sleepy Feeder | Dozes off in minutes, weak suck | Wake for feeds, skin-to-skin, try breast compression or slower bottle flow; book a review |
Breast, Bottle, Or Both: Matching Volumes
Babies at the breast often feed more often with smaller single-feed mL, while total daily intake lands in a similar zone by the end of the day. If you offer expressed milk, aim near your baby’s usual per-feed range for the week and pace the bottle so baby can say “enough” easily. If you mix breast and formula, keep slow flow on every bottle so pace stays familiar.
Some parents like a rough day plan, then let the baby edit it. That works well. Set a baseline from age and weight, prep a few bottles in likely sizes, and top up with a small 15–30 mL pour only when cues say so. You’ll dodge overfills and keep digestion happy.
Special Cases You Should Plan For
Preterm babies, small-for-date babies, twins, or babies with jaundice, tongue-tie, or low blood sugars need tailored feeding plans. Your care team may suggest higher frequency, adjusted volumes, or temporary fortification. If your baby was in the NICU, follow the plan you were given and ask for a re-check if intake or output drops.
Any time your baby seems unwell, shows sunken soft spots, has dry lips, or has fewer diapers, call your doctor the same day. Trust your gut. Rapid review beats guesswork.
Quick Recap You Can Save
- Week 1: many feeds, 45–90 mL per feed by the end of the week.
- Weeks 2–4: common single-feed range lands around 75–120 mL.
- Formula planning: 150–200 mL/kg/day is a useful daily guide.
- Watch cues, diapers, and growth; let baby lead the fine-tuning.
- Slow flow and paced bottles help babies manage volume well.
Feeding your newborn doesn’t need to feel like guesswork. Pick the range that matches your baby’s age and weight, let cues steer the rest, and keep a short log for a few days. You’ll quickly see a pattern and the mL that suit your baby right now.