By week 2–4, newborns drink around 570–900 mL a day; for formula, use ~75 mL per lb (max 960 mL in 24 hours).
Newborn feeding can feel like a riddle. You’re tracking feeds, diapers, and sleep with one eye open. This guide gives clear milliliter targets, simple math you can trust, and practical steps you can use today with breastmilk or formula.
Daily Milk In ML For Newborns: Age-Wise Guide
Two things shape daily intake: age and body weight. Direct breastfeeding often reaches a stable daily range by the end of the first month, even when single feeds look small. Bottle-fed babies also do well when caregivers follow cues and pace each feed so the baby leads.
Weight-Based Formula Planner (First 6–8 Weeks)
For formula, pediatric guidance uses about 75 mL per pound per day (about 165 mL/kg). Start here, then follow hunger and fullness. This gives a safe ballpark while your baby builds a rhythm.
| Weight (kg) | Weight (lb) | Daily Formula Target (mL) |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5 | 5.5 | 413 |
| 3.0 | 6.6 | 495 |
| 3.5 | 7.7 | 578 |
| 4.0 | 8.8 | 660 |
| 4.5 | 9.9 | 743 |
| 5.0 | 11.0 | 825 |
What That Looks Like Across A Day
Newborns feed 8–12 times in 24 hours. Early spacing is often every 2–3 hours, with one longer stretch at night as weeks pass. Split the daily total into those feeds to set bottle size. Example: a 3.5 kg baby (7.7 lb) would plan near 580 mL per day; over 8 feeds that’s ~70–80 mL per feed. Leave wiggle room at each feed so your baby can stop when full.
Breastfeeding Numbers: What’s Normal In ML
Days 1–3 bring thick colostrum in tiny, nutrient-dense servings. Think teaspoons, not ounces. By day 3–4, volume rises as mature milk comes in. Across weeks 2–4, many babies land near a daily total between 570 and 900 mL, with single feeds flexing up or down based on time of day and growth spurts.
Breastfed Vs. Formula-Fed: What Changes
With direct breastfeeding, exact mL stays invisible; you judge success by diapers, behavior, and weight. With bottles, mL is visible; the risk is pushing past satiety. Pace each bottle and pause often. Either way, feed when your baby shows early cues and stop when they relax.
Quick Signs Intake Is On Track
- 8–12 feeds per day in the early weeks.
- Audible swallows during the active phase of a feed.
- Back to birth weight by day 10–14, then steady gains.
- Diapers: at least 6 wets a day after day 5; stools shift from black to mustard-yellow.
- Periods of calm alertness after feeds.
Bottle Sizes, Schedules, And Safe Caps
Use the weight-based planner to set a starting daily total, then divide by your baby’s usual number of feeds. Many families land near 60–90 mL per feed in weeks 1–3, then 90–150 mL as spacing grows. For formula, the AAP sets a practical cap near 960 mL in 24 hours unless your pediatrician advises otherwise.
Worked Examples
Example A (Formula): 4.0 kg baby (8.8 lb). Target near 8.8 × 75 = 660 mL per day. Over 9 feeds, plan bottles near 70–80 mL. If your baby leaves milk often, drop to 60–70 mL. If they drain bottles and cue for more, add 10–15 mL and reassess.
Example B (Expressed Milk): Nine feeds per day. If your stash averages 80 mL per bottle, that totals about 720 mL across the day, which sits well within common breastmilk ranges during month one.
Reading Hunger And Fullness Cues
Early hunger cues: stirring, hand-to-mouth, rooting, seeking. Fullness cues: slower sucks, open hands, relaxed arms, turning away, soft sleep. Start with early cues and wrap up when fullness shows. With bottles, hold more horizontal, invite pauses every few minutes, and switch sides mid-feed.
Cluster Feeding And Growth Spurts
Evenings can bring a flurry of short feeds. Growth spurts do the same. Total daily intake can still land in the same zone; your baby just redistributes volume across the clock. Offer both sides at the breast when needed. With bottles, serve smaller amounts more often during these windows.
Pumping, Storage, And Smart Portions
Plan small portions to limit waste. Build freezer bags in 60–90 mL for the first month, then add some 120–150 mL bags as spacing grows. Label date and volume. Thaw the smallest first, warm gently, swirl to mix, and discard leftovers from a used bottle after 2 hours at room temp.
When To Call The Doctor
Seek care if your newborn has fewer than 6 wet diapers after day 5, shows weak suck, sleeps through multiple feeds, vomits forcefully after most feeds, looks listless, has dry mouth or a sunken soft spot, or isn’t back to birth weight by two weeks. The CDC newborn basics page lists feed frequency and growth checks that help you judge intake.
Factors That Raise Or Lower The Number
Gestational age: Late-preterm and small babies tire faster and may need smaller, more frequent feeds. Heat and swaddle: Warm rooms and tight wraps can make babies sleepy; unwrap for feeds. Bottle nipple flow: Flow that is too fast can flood a baby and hide fullness cues; a slower flow helps pacing. Latch and transfer: A deep latch yields better transfer and fewer marathon sessions.
Typical Per-Feed Volumes (Second Table)
These ranges help with planning bottles of expressed milk or formula. Babies still vary, and cluster feeds are normal.
| Age | Per Feed (mL) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 5–7 | Colostrum; tiny tummy; many feeds |
| 24–47 hours | 10–20 | Still colostrum; frequent feeds |
| 48–72 hours | 20–30 | Volume rising |
| After 72 hours | 30–40 | Mature milk increasing |
| Weeks 1–3 | 60–90 | 8–12 feeds common |
| 3+ weeks | 90–150 | Feeds start spacing |
What If My Newborn Was Small Or Large At Birth?
Start with the weight-based plan. A smaller baby needs fewer mL per day; a larger baby needs more. Then adjust to the baby in front of you. If a small baby tires mid-feed, offer shorter, more frequent sessions and build gentle burp breaks. If a larger baby drains bottles fast, slow the flow, add pauses, and watch for relaxed hands before pouring in more.
Troubleshooting: Spit-Ups And Gassiness
Spit-ups happen. They often look bigger than they are. Keep your baby more upright during and after feeds, burp midway, and try a slower nipple if bottles seem to rush. If spit-ups are forceful, nonstop, or paired with poor weight gain, call your pediatrician. Tight swaddles, fast let-down, or air gulping can also stir up gas; gentle bicycle legs and frequent burps help.
Tracking Tools That Actually Help
A simple log for two days can bring clarity. Track start time, side used or bottle mL, and diaper output. Patterns jump off the page: long sleepy gaps, small frequent bottles, or a cluster block in the evening. Use that snapshot to space naps and feeds without forcing a rigid schedule.
When Numbers Don’t Add Up
If diapers are light, weight checks stall, or feeds stretch endlessly, bring in help. A quick weight check, a latch tune-up, or a paced-bottle refresher can turn a rough week around. If you’re pumping, check flange fit and aim for 8–10 sessions per day in the early weeks, including at least one at night, to protect supply.
Safe Prep And Serving Notes
Wash hands and parts. For formula, measure accurately with the supplied scoop and the right water volume. Mix until smooth and test temp on your wrist. Store unused mixed formula in the fridge and follow the label window for safe use. Discard any formula left in a used bottle after 1 hour at room temp. For expressed milk, chill promptly, store in the back of the fridge or freezer, thaw in the fridge or under cool then warm running water, and never refreeze thawed milk.
A Sample Day In ML
Let’s map a day for a 3.5 kg baby using mixed bottles of expressed milk. Target near 580 mL for the day. Plan eight feeds. You might pour 70–80 mL at 7 a.m., 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 4 p.m., and 7 p.m., then 60–70 mL at 9 p.m., midnight, and 3 a.m. If your baby wakes early, offer a smaller top-up. If they snooze past a slot and weight gain is solid, shift the volume into the next two feeds. That keeps the daily total steady without force-feeding any one session.
Paced Bottle: Quick How-To
- Hold baby more upright; steady the neck and shoulders.
- Keep the bottle closer to horizontal so milk flows slower.
- Touch the nipple to the top lip; wait for a wide gape before offering.
- Let baby draw the nipple in; don’t push the bottle deep.
- After 20–30 sucks, tip the bottle down to pause and let baby breathe.
- Switch sides halfway through to mimic breast rhythm.
- Stop when hands relax, sucking slows, or baby turns away.
Stay Flexible, Baby Leads
Numbers guide planning, not perfection. Some days will land low in the range, others high. Follow cues, watch diapers, and use your log to make tiny course corrections. If worry creeps in, call your pediatrician for a weight check and a quick plan. You’ve got this.
Using formula instead? Take the same weight-based total, set 8–10 feeds, and pour smaller bottles during cluster periods. If baby seems extra hungry after a short nap cycle, add 10–15 mL, then see how the next two feeds go. Keep the day under 960 mL unless your pediatrician sets a different plan, and skip cereal or thickeners in the bottle unless specifically prescribed.
Stay kind.