Day 1 feeds are about 5–7 mL; by week 1 most newborns take 45–60 mL per feed, nursing 8–12 times in 24 hours based on hunger cues.
Newborn bellies are tiny, yet busy. The goal is steady, frequent feeds that match what your baby can handle right now. Small early volumes are normal, and they rise fast over the first week. You’ll see more swallows, longer feeds, and heavier diapers as milk volume grows. Keep feeds responsive, watch diapers, and use the ranges below as a simple compass rather than a rigid rule.
Two things guide every feed. First, your baby’s cues. Second, typical intake ranges for each age window. Pair those and you’ll land on amounts that feel right for your baby. If you’re offering expressed milk, the same ranges apply. If you’re nursing directly, you can still use the ranges to set expectations for how full your baby may feel after each side.
How Many Milliliters Of Breast Milk Per Feed?
These ranges reflect normal early intake for healthy term babies. Feed to early cues, offer both breasts, and expect 8–12 feeds across the day and night. You’ll see volume jump as milk changes from colostrum to mature milk.
| Age | Per Feed (mL) | Feeds / 24 h |
|---|---|---|
| First 24 hours | 5–7 | 8–12 |
| Day 2 | 5–15 | 8–12 |
| Day 3 | 15–30 | 8–12 |
| Day 4–6 | 30–60 | 8–12 |
| End of week 1 | 45–60 | 8–12 |
| Weeks 2–3 | 60–90 | 8–12 |
Why these numbers work: stomach capacity grows quickly in the first week, and frequent feeds help supply match demand. For added context, see the CDC guidance on how much and how often and the AAP HealthyChildren overview of intake and frequency in the early days.
Feed To Cues, Not The Clock
Early cues are your green light. Look for stirring, hand to mouth, lip smacking, or soft rooting. Crying is late. Start the feed when cues begin and you’ll usually get a calmer latch and a steadier rhythm. Many babies nurse on one side, pause, then take the second side after a burp or a diaper change.
Hunger Cues You Can Trust
- Eyes fluttering, light wakefulness, gentle wriggles
- Hands near mouth, tongue peeks, searching movements
- Soft sounds or brief fussing that settles at the breast
Signs Baby Had Enough
- Relaxed hands and shoulders, longer pauses, sleepy face
- Milk drips at the corner of the mouth near the end
- Content rest after the feed and easy burps
Pumping And Bottle Amounts That Make Sense
If you’re offering expressed milk, match bottle size to those early ranges. Start with small bottles, 30–60 mL, and use a slow flow nipple. That sizing helps baby pace, protects your supply, and cuts waste. Warming the milk to body temp and holding baby upright also helps.
Paced Bottle Feeding Basics
- Keep baby upright and the bottle near horizontal.
- Invite baby to take the nipple rather than placing it deep.
- Let baby pause often; tip the bottle down during rests.
- Switch sides halfway to mimic a second breast.
- Stop when cues say full, even if milk remains.
Daily Totals In The First Weeks
Across a full day, volume climbs from small colostrum sips to steady milk feeds. Many babies reach roughly 280–576 mL by day 7 and about 590–750 mL by the end of week 3. The spread is wide because babies vary in size, pace, and sleep patterns. If baby is nursing, you’ll judge totals through output and weight, not ounces.
Night feeds count. Prolactin tends to be higher overnight, and babies often cluster feed in the evening. That pattern supports supply and sets you up for the next day. If baby sleeps longer than three hours in the early days, a gentle wake for a feed keeps intake steady and helps prevent overly full breasts.
Diaper Output Benchmarks
Wet and dirty diapers are your real time dashboard. Use this quick table to track signs that intake is on track during the first month.
| Age | Wet Diapers | Stools |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1–2 | 1–2 light wets | At least 1 meconium stool, thick and dark |
| Days 3–4 | 3 or more, getting heavier | 2 or more, brown to green, softening |
| Days 5–6 | 5 or more heavy wets | 2 or more, yellow and looser |
| Day 7 to 4 weeks | 6 or more heavy wets | At least 2, yellow and seedy |
If stools stay meconium beyond day 4, or wets remain light, raise feeds and seek hands on help. A weight check that shows steady gain after the first few days tells you the plan is working. Many babies regain birth weight by days 10–14, then add around 150–200 grams per week in the early weeks.
Fine Tuning Amounts For Your Baby
Small or early babies may need tighter plans for the first days. You might be asked to add expressed colostrum after nursing, starting with tiny boosts such as 5 mL, then moving to 10 mL and 15 mL as stamina grows. These add ons are short term tools that support growth while baby learns to nurse well.
If your baby is very sleepy, skin to skin time before a feed can bring on brighter cues. Try a gentle diaper change, dim lights, and a calm room. A laid back position can help milk flow meet baby’s pace. If letdown feels fast, hand express a small amount first, then latch.
Simple Ways To Keep Feeds On Track
Use Both Breasts
Start on the first side and stay while baby is active. When swallows slow, burp, then offer the second side. Rotate which side you start on across the day. That pattern helps supply stay balanced and gives baby a chance to reach the creamier hindmilk.
Protect Supply While Pumping
If baby misses a session, pump in its place. Early on, aim for 8–10 milk removals in 24 hours across nursing and pumping combined. Store milk in small portions, 30–60 mL, so you can add more if baby signals for it without wasting a large bottle.
Keep A Light Log
Short notes help you see patterns. Jot start times, which side you began with, and any bottles with amounts. Add wet and dirty counts. Bring the log to weight checks so you can pair numbers with growth.
Sample Day Using The Ranges
Here’s one way a day might look near the end of week 1. Feed on cue, then use amounts as a loose ceiling rather than a target. If baby signals full at a lower amount, you’re done. If cues continue, add small sips until settled.
- 06:00 – Nurse both sides, baby rests content
- 08:30 – Nurse one side, offer second, brief top up
- 11:00 – Bottle of expressed milk, 50 mL with pacing
- 13:30 – Nurse both sides, longer nap follows
- 16:00 – Nurse both sides, short cluster begins
- 18:00 – Nurse, then 20–30 mL expressed if cues persist
- 20:30 – Nurse both sides, quiet wind down
- 23:00 – Nurse, diaper change, back to sleep
- 02:00 – Nurse, brief burp, skin to skin
- 04:30 – Nurse, then rest
Avoid These Common Pitfalls
Large bottles early on. Those push intake above what baby needs and can cause spit up and tummy discomfort. Aim small and pause often. Skipping night feeds for long stretches. That can leave baby short on total volume and make breasts uncomfortably full. Watching the clock while ignoring cues. Early cues lead to calmer latches and better milk transfer.
When To Reach Out
Call your baby’s doctor or your lactation team if you see fewer than three wets by day 3, stools that stay dark after day 4, strong jaundice, very sleepy feeds, or pumping pain you can’t solve with gentle adjustments. Fast help brings quick wins at this age.
Key Takeaways You Can Act On Today
- Day 1: about 5–7 mL per feed, 8–12 feeds
- By day 3: 15–30 mL per feed, still 8–12 feeds
- By week 1: 45–60 mL per feed, steady diapers
- Weeks 2–3: many feeds land near 60–90 mL
- Use small bottles, slow flow, and pacing
- Track diapers and weight to confirm intake
You’re doing real work in these first days. Keep feeds cue led, think small early volumes, and expect quick gains across the first week. With practice, the numbers fade and the rhythm takes over.