How Many ML To Give A Newborn? | Newborn Feeding Basics

Newborn feeding looks tiny on day one and jumps fast in the first weeks.
Small stomachs, frequent feeds, clear cues—that’s the pattern.
This guide sets simple, safe ranges in milliliters so you can match feeds to age, weight, and hunger signs with calm and confidence.

How Many Milliliters For A Newborn Per Feed (Week-By-Week)

Use the ranges below as a starting point for healthy, full-term babies.
Babies vary, so watch cues and stop when your little one turns away, relaxes, or slows down.
If you’re nursing directly, think of these as rough volumes that nursing sessions tend to deliver at those ages.

Age	Typical Per-Feed Volume (mL)	Feeds / 24h
Day 1	5–7	8–12
Day 2	10–15	8–12
Day 3–4	20–30	8–12
Day 5–7	45–60	8–12
Week 2–3	60–90	8–10
Week 4	75–120	7–9

These numbers line up with the way a newborn stomach expands from tiny colostrum sips on day one to larger feeds by the end of week one.
From there, most babies settle into steady increases over the first month.

What Those Numbers Mean

Breastfeeding: early milk volumes are small yet dense with energy and immune factors.
Latching often keeps supply moving while meeting small stomach capacity.
As milk flows in over days two to five, session volume climbs on its own.

Expressed milk or formula: bottles make volume visible, which helps with tracking.
Use the ranges above as a guide, but pace the feed and allow pauses so a baby can show when enough is enough.
Many babies finish less than the amount you poured. That’s normal.

For bottle volumes over the first month, the AAP’s formula schedule points to 90–120 mL per feed by the end of month one and about 2½ ounces per pound per day with an upper daily limit near 946 mL for most babies.
UK guidance also notes daily totals near 150–200 mL per kilo by the end of week one; see the NHS bottle-feeding guidance for practical safety steps.

Daily Intake Targets By Weight

Breastfed Daily Intake Pattern

Large studies find average daily intake near 670 mL for babies who nurse, with many healthy babies above or below that mark.
Weight, age, and nursing style all play a part.
Your baby’s growth trend and diaper output tell the story better than a single number.

A handy rule many teams use is about 150 mL per kilogram each day for the early weeks.
That aligns with common ranges reported for both bottle-fed and breastfed babies.
The daily total then splits across the day based on how often your baby eats.

Quick Way To Plan A Day

Pick your baby’s weight in kilograms. Multiply by 150 to get a rough daily total in milliliters.
Divide by the number of feeds you expect that day.
Stay flexible—cues win over math; some feeds will be bigger and some smaller.

Baby Weight (kg)	Approx Daily Intake (mL)	Per Feed (8 feeds/day)
2.5	~375	~45–60
3.0	~450	~60
3.5	~525	~65–70
4.0	~600	~75
4.5	~675	~80–90

Hunger And Fullness Cues To Watch

mL And Ounces At A Glance

Many packs list ounces. Here are quick pairs that help when bottles show only one unit:

• 30 mL = 1 oz
• 60 mL = 2 oz
• 90 mL = 3 oz
• 120 mL = 4 oz

Early hunger shows up as stirring, mouth opening, rooting, hand-to-mouth moves, or soft grunts.
Late hunger looks like crying; it’s harder to latch or bottle-feed when upset, so try to start on early signs.
Fullness shows as relaxed hands, slower sucking, turning away, or falling asleep.
If your baby does short, frequent feeds at certain times, that can be cluster feeding and is usually part of normal growth.

Breastfeeding, Pumped Milk, And Formula—Volume Tips

When To Nudge Volume Up Or Down

Try a little more if your baby drains bottles back-to-back, searches right after feeds, or wakes soon and shows clear hunger.
Add 5–15 mL at a time and watch comfort.
Try a little less if you see gulping, milk pooling at the mouth, or spit-ups tied to large feeds.
Small trims often fix those signs.

Flow Rate, Burps, And Position

Pick a newborn nipple with a slow flow.
If coughing or wide-eyed pulling away starts soon after you tilt the bottle, the flow may be too fast.
If the nipple flattens or your baby works hard for each sip, the flow may be too slow.
Hold your baby semi-upright, keep the bottle level, and build in burp breaks.
Two short burps during the feed will often feel better than one big burp at the end.

What Changes Intake Day To Day

Intake swings with growth, sleep stretches, latch quality, and bottle hardware.
A faster nipple can push more milk than a slower one.
Warm rooms, long naps, and busy days can shift patterns too.
That is why ranges beat rigid schedules in the early weeks.

Breastfeeding: When You Can’t Measure

You can’t see ounces during a nursing session, so lean on output and weight checks.
Plenty of wet diapers, regular stools, a soft breast after feeds, and steady weight gain point to good intake.
If you need a bottle after nursing for medical reasons, offer small volumes first to avoid overfilling a tiny stomach.

Pumped Milk Or Formula: Bottle Basics

Warm slowly, keep nipples flowing at a slow rate, and hold your baby upright.
Stop midway for a burp, then finish if cues say “more.”
A steady rhythm helps babies recognize fullness before the bottle is empty.

Paced Bottle-Feeding In 4 Steps

1. Hold the bottle almost horizontal so milk flows gently, not fast.
2. Let the baby take the nipple in when ready; avoid pushing it in.
3. Pause every minute or so; tip the bottle down to let baby breathe and check cues.
4. Stop when sucking slows, hands relax, or baby turns away—even if milk remains.

Night Feeds, Short Naps, And Growth Spurts

In the first month, many babies eat around the clock.
Spacing stretches as stomach capacity grows.
During a growth spurt, intake can jump for a day or two, then settle.

Avoid Overfeeding And Underfeeding Risks

Watch for steady weight gain and comfy feeds.
Signs that a volume is too high include frequent spit-ups, gulping, coughing, or gassy fussing right after a bottle.
If intake seems low and diapers drop off or your baby seems listless, call your pediatric service.
For most babies, daily formula should not exceed about 946 mL; that cap helps reduce the chance of pushing past satiety.

Special Cases That Change The Math

Preterm babies, twins, babies with jaundice, reflux, or medical needs may follow tailored plans.
Follow the plan from your baby’s clinical team on volumes and frequency, since energy needs and tolerance can differ.
If you’re adjusting because of weight trends or a medical note, make changes with your baby’s team.

Common Feeding Myths, Plain Facts

• “A bigger bottle means longer sleep.” Sleep stretches improve with age and brain maturity. Large feeds can push spit-ups and discomfort.
• “Finishing the bottle proves baby ate well.” The signal is steady growth and easy diapers, not a clean bottle.
• “More ounces always cure fussiness.” Sometimes the fix is a burp, a diaper, or a slower flow, not extra milk.
• “Nursing has to switch sides every time.” Many babies do fine on one side per session in the early weeks; the second side is there if cues say yes.
• “You must feed on a strict clock.” Responsive feeding works better for most newborns; watch cues, keep rough ranges, and let your baby lead within those ranges.

Quick Calculator: From Weight To Feeds

Here’s a simple way to map milliliters to real feeds:

• Daily mL ≈ weight (kg) × 150.
• Per-feed mL ≈ daily mL ÷ planned feeds.

Example: a 3.6 kg baby × 150 ≈ 540 mL per day.
With 9 feeds, that’s about 60 mL per feed on average.
Some sessions will land near 45 mL; others may be closer to 75–90 mL.
That swing is normal.

Safe Prep And Handling Snapshot

Formula Safety Notes

Use the exact scoop-to-water ratio on the tin.
Too strong can strain tiny kidneys; too weak can shortchange calories.
Do not prop a bottle and do not add cereal unless your doctor gives a clear plan.
Watch dates on tins and store powder dry with the lid on tight.

When To Call Your Pediatric Team

Call for help without delay if you see any of the following:

• Fewer wet diapers plus a dry mouth or a sunken soft spot.
• Green vomit, blood in stool, or forceful vomit that repeats.
• Sleepiness that makes feeding hard even when you try to wake your baby.
• Fever in a baby under three months.

Urgent care can sort out feeding volume, dehydration risk, and any illness that might be in the mix.

Keep a log for two days and compare the average to the range above. If comfort and diapers look good, your plan is on track.