Most newborns start with tiny 2–10 mL feeds, then reach about 60–120 mL per feed by 2–4 weeks, spread across 8–12 meals a day.
Newborns don’t take one fixed bottle size. Intake climbs fast over the first days, then steadies. The right amount depends on age, weight, and whether a baby is at the breast or on formula. Think frequent, baby-led meals with calm cues guiding when to start and when to stop.
Newborn Milliliters Per Feed: Age-By-Age Guide
In the first week, colostrum comes in small servings that match a tiny stomach. By the end of week one, volumes jump as mature milk arrives. Babies usually eat at least eight times per 24 hours, sometimes more. Each feed below is a ballpark range, not a target to force.
| Age | Per Feed (mL) | Feeds/24h |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 2–10 | 8–12 |
| Day 2 | 5–15 | 8–12 |
| Day 3 | 15–30 | 8–12 |
| Day 4 | 30–60 | 8–12 |
| Days 5–7 | 45–90 | 8–12 |
| Weeks 2–4 | 60–120 | 7–10 |
| 1–2 Months | 75–120 | 6–8 |
Why such small Day-1 volumes? Colostrum is concentrated and babies feed often. By week two, many fully breastfed babies take roughly 570–900 mL across the day, split into those frequent feeds. If you’re using formula, a handy rule is based on body weight: about 75 mL per pound per day (≈150 mL/kg). NHS guidance gives a range of 150–200 mL per kg per day after the first week.
Day 0–3: Colostrum And Tiny Servings
Colostrum arrives first. It’s thick, antibody-rich, and comes in teaspoons. Many babies take just 2–10 mL per feed on day one, then around 5–15 mL on day two. Stools shift from black meconium to green-brown, then yellow as intake mounts. Wet diapers also pick up. Those outputs tell you a lot about how feeding is going.
Days 4–7: Volume Ramps Up
As milk volume rises, per-feed amounts often reach 30–60 mL by day four and 45–90 mL by the end of the week. Babies still feed often, though sessions may space out a little as bellies hold more. Let the baby pause and relatch as needed; switches and breaks are normal.
Weeks 2–4: Mature Milk Pattern
By the second to fourth week, many babies take 60–120 mL per feed. Total daily intake for fully breastfed babies tends to settle in a broad band near 600–900 mL per day once milk supply is established. Bottle sizes don’t need to be identical across the day; morning feeds may run larger than late-evening sips.
Formula Amounts In Milliliters: The Weight Method
After the first week, the weight-based method keeps things simple. Multiply body weight by 150 to get a starting daily total in milliliters; some babies land closer to 180–200 mL per kg. Split that number by your baby’s usual meals in a day to size bottles. Watch hunger and fullness cues rather than pushing a bottle to empty.
| Weight (kg) | 150 mL/kg per day | 200 mL/kg per day |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5 | 375 mL | 500 mL |
| 3.0 | 450 mL | 600 mL |
| 3.5 | 525 mL | 700 mL |
| 4.0 | 600 mL | 800 mL |
| 4.5 | 675 mL | 900 mL |
| 5.0 | 750 mL | 1000 mL |
| 5.5 | 825 mL | 1100 mL |
| 6.0 | 900 mL | 1200 mL |
How Often Should A Newborn Eat?
Plan on 8–12 feeds in 24 hours for the first weeks. Some days bunch together with cluster feeds; other days feel steadier. Offer the breast or bottle at early cues: stirring, hand-to-mouth, tongue movements, searching head turns. Crying usually means hunger cues were missed, so soothe first, then feed.
Hunger And Fullness Cues That Guide Milliliters
Hunger cues include rooting, lip smacking, and eager latch. Fullness cues include relaxed hands, slower suck, drifting off, turning away, or pushing the nipple out. Baby-led pacing keeps intake right-sized. For bottle feeds, hold the bottle more horizontal and pause often so the baby can set the rhythm.
Bottle Tips That Prevent Overfeeding
Use slow-flow nipples, keep the baby semi-upright, and tip the bottle only enough to fill the nipple. Switch sides during the feed to mimic the breast. Give short breaks for burps. If the baby looks settled and stops pulling, end the feed even if a little milk remains.
When Amounts May Differ
Late-preterm babies, small babies, or sleepy babies may need closer follow-up and extra help with latch or pumping plans. Jaundice treatment, tongue-tie care, or birth recovery can also change early volumes. If weight checks lag, a brief plan with measured top-ups can bridge the gap while you sort latch and supply.
Simple Signs Intake Is On Track
Steady diaper counts are reassuring. Expect at least one wet diaper on day one, two on day two, three on day three, then six or more wets from day five onward. Stools shift to loose, yellow, and seedy by the end of the first week for most breastfed babies. Growth over days and weeks matters more than any single feed size.
Mixing, Measuring, And Safety Notes
Measure formula with the scoop provided and level it off; add water first, then powder, unless your label says otherwise. Use safe water and clean bottles. Imported cans may print mixing in milliliters rather than ounces, so check the scale on your bottles. Too much or too little water changes the nutrient balance.
Store formula in the fridge and use within 24 hours; discard any leftovers from a bottle after two hours at room temperature.
Sample Day: Putting The Numbers Together
Take a 3.5 kg bottle-fed newborn in week two. The daily range by weight lands around 525–700 mL. If the baby usually eats nine times a day, bottles would average 60–80 mL. Some feeds will be smaller and some bigger. Watch the baby, not just the bottle marks.
Breastmilk Bottles: Portioning Pumped Milk
Many parents bottle-feed expressed milk at some point. Use the same daily range that suits a baby at the breast, then split it by the usual number of meals. Most newborns in weeks two to four do well with 60–90 mL bottles, with a little extra stored in case the baby signals for more. Warm gently, swirl to mix the fat back in, and avoid shaking hard.
Right Size, Right Pace
Offer a small bottle first, pause often, and see whether the baby stays engaged. If the baby still roots and swallows with a strong rhythm after a short break, pour in a little more. This step-up method keeps intake tuned to cues and cuts down on waste when thawing frozen milk.
Night Feeds, Growth Spurts, And Cluster Feeding
Newborns need night feeds. Short stretches of deeper sleep can appear, then disappear again during spurts. On some evenings, feeds run close together for a few hours, which is a common pattern that helps milk supply match needs. Stick with demand-based timing and the day will balance out over 24 hours.
How To Adjust Milliliters When The Schedule Shifts
Suppose your baby usually eats nine times a day at about 75 mL per feed. If naps lengthen and meals drop to eight, each bottle may edge up to 80–90 mL. If a cold day brings extra naps and you see only seven feeds, the average per feed climbs again. Use the daily range from the tables, then let cues fine-tune the serving.
Water, Juice, And Other Add-Ins
Skip water and juice for newborns. Extra water can upset sodium balance, and juice has no place in the first months. Don’t thicken bottles with cereal. Stick with breast milk or correctly mixed formula until your clinician says otherwise.
When To Call Your Pediatrician
Get in touch without delay if your newborn has fewer wets than expected, very dark urine, dry mouth, a weak cry, or seems listless. Call as well for repeated vomiting, a rectal temperature of 38 °C (100.4 °F) or higher, or deep yellow skin. If feeding feels painful or latch never feels right, ask for hands-on help from a trained lactation professional.
Breastfeeding And Formula Together
Some families mix feeding types. If you add one or two small formula top-ups, total daily intake still sits in the same neighborhood; you’re just splitting it between sources. Aim for the lower end of the range first, then add more only if cues point that way. Pump after top-ups if you’d like to protect supply.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
Pouring large bottles as a default leads to overfeeding. Rushing feeds can do the same. Skipping burp breaks may bring extra spit-ups that look like hunger soon after. Oversized holes in nipples turn each meal into a fast pour, so stick with slow-flow parts in the first weeks.
Bottom Line That Parents Can Use
Early feeds start in teaspoons, then jump fast. By weeks two to four, many babies take 60–120 mL per feed and total near 600–900 mL per day. Formula users can size the day by weight with 150–200 mL per kg as a guide. Cues, diapers, and growth patterns confirm you’re on the right track.