At one week, most newborns take 45–90 ml per feed, about 8–12 times daily; steady weight gain and wet diapers confirm enough milk.
New parents want a straight answer, not a fuzzy range. You’ll find one here, plus simple ways to check intake without obsessing over every milliliter. The goal is a well-fed baby who wakes for feeds, settles after, and grows on schedule.
How Many Milliliters Should A 1-Week-Old Baby Drink?
Most babies at seven days handle 45–90 ml per feed. Many will finish closer to the lower end in the first half of the week and climb toward 60–90 ml by the end. Feed on cues every 2–3 hours, or about 8–12 feeds in 24 hours. Bottle or breast, the range is similar; the difference is that breastfed babies may cluster feed at certain times of day.
Two guideposts help: per-feed volume and daily total. Daily totals vary with size and appetite, but rough planning is easy with the weight-based rule used by many clinicians for formula: 150–200 ml per kilogram per day. Breastfed babies often land in a comparable daily range once milk is in.
One-Week Intake Quick Guide (Table)
| Scenario | Per Feed (ml) | Daily Total (ml) |
|---|---|---|
| Breastfeeding, effective latch | 45–60, up to 90 if hungry | ~280–576 by Day 7 |
| Formula-fed, standard term baby | 30–60, rising toward 60–90 | Weight × 150–200 |
| Small or sleepy feeder | 30–45, offer often | Track diapers & weight |
| Vigorous feeder | 60–90 | Usually near weight rule |
| Preterm/medical plan | As directed | Follow care team plan |
Useful references if you’d like to read more: the CDC’s page on how much formula to offer and NHS guidance on signs your baby is getting enough.
Why The Range Varies At One Week
Stomachs at this age are still tiny, roughly apricot-sized. Capacity and appetite jump quickly between days 4 and 7. Babies also come in many sizes. A 2.8 kg baby won’t match a 4 kg baby feed for feed. Energy needs, delivery course, tongue-tie, and sleepy periods can all shift the number you see in the bottle or the time spent at the breast.
Feeding Frequency And Timing
Plan on 8–12 feeds across the day and night. Some stretches bunch together. That’s cluster feeding, and it’s normal. Other stretches are quieter, with a longer nap after a good feed. If a nap runs past 3 hours in the daytime during the first couple of weeks, wake for a feed.
Using The Weight Rule Without Overthinking
The 150–200 ml/kg/day rule gives a sensible daily window for a week-old baby using bottles. It’s a planning tool, not a rigid target. Here’s a worked example for a 3.5 kg baby.
Worked Example
Step 1: 3.5 kg × 150–200 ml = 525–700 ml in 24 hours. Step 2: Split by 8–12 feeds: that’s roughly 45–90 ml per feed. If bottles are landing lower and your baby still cues early, add 10–15 ml next time. If they’re leaving milk behind and seem relaxed, keep the same amount.
Reading Hunger And Fullness Cues
Watch your baby, not the clock. Early hunger cues include stirring, mouth opening, lip smacking, and hand-to-mouth. Late cues include crying and a rigid body. For fullness, look for slower sucks, relaxed hands, soft body, and turning away. With bottles, pause a few times to check if baby is still interested before offering more.
Bottle Setup And Pace
Use a slow-flow nipple, hold the bottle more horizontal, and let baby draw milk in instead of pushing gently. Offer brief pauses during feeds. This pacing mimics the rhythm at the breast and helps babies self-limit near the right milliliters for that session.
Breastfeeding Notes At Day 7
Many parents ask about volumes they can’t see. By the end of week one, typical transfer per feed often sits around 45–60 ml, with some feeds higher. Feeds still vary a lot during the day. Cluster sessions in the evening are common. If nipples are sore or baby slips off often, ask for hands-on help from an IBCLC or your maternity unit.
Pumped milk can fill gaps after a short latch. If you’re storing milk, follow safe timing. The CDC lists 4 hours at room temp, up to 4 days in the fridge, and longer in the freezer; use thawed milk within 24 hours of refrigeration and don’t refreeze.
Formula-Fed Babies: Safe Volumes And Safe Handling
Offer 30–60 ml per feed at the start of the week and move toward 60–90 ml as cues rise. Space feeds every 2–3 hours at first. Mix exactly per the label. Discard any formula left in the bottle 1 hour after the feed begins, and use prepared formula within 2 hours unless it goes straight into the refrigerator, where it keeps up to 24 hours.
Ready-to-feed formulas don’t need added water. Warm bottles by placing them in warm water, not in a microwave. Always test a few drops on your wrist before offering the bottle.
Diapers, Weight, And When To Call The Doctor
Output and growth tell the story better than any single milliliter count. From day 5 onward, expect 6+ wet diapers per day and at least 2 soft yellow stools daily in the early weeks. Babies often lose a little weight after birth; by the end of the second week most are back to birth weight and then gaining steadily.
One-Week Checkpoints (Table)
| Checkpoint | Typical Pattern | What To Do |
|---|---|---|
| Wet diapers | 6 or more daily by Day 5 | If fewer, add a feed and seek medical advice |
| Stools | At least 2 soft yellow stools daily | Hard, dark, or too few: speak with your doctor |
| Weight | Back to birth weight by end of week 2 | No gain or ongoing loss: book an urgent weight check |
| Behavior after feeds | Relaxed body, content wake time | Persistent distress: review latch or bottle pace |
| Spit-up | Small dribbles are common | Large, forceful, or painful: call your doctor |
Special Situations
Prematurity, jaundice, tongue-tie, and medical conditions can change intake targets and timing. Follow the plan you received at discharge. If volumes feel far off from the ranges above, arrange a feed-and-weigh or a bottle review with your care team.
Practical Tips That Make Feeds Go Smoothly
Set Up The Space
Keep a tall glass of water within reach, dim lights for night feeds, and use a comfy chair with arm rest. A rolled towel under the wrist can save your forearm on long sessions.
Burping Without Breaking The Flow
Pause around the midpoint of the bottle or when your baby slows at the breast. A brief shoulder burp or sitting burp often does the job. If baby protests, resume and try again a minute later.
Track What Matters
Skip minute-by-minute logs. Note total bottles offered, rough feed times, diaper counts, and weight checks. That’s enough data to spot real trends and keep stress down.
When More Milk Is Needed
Red flags include too few wet diapers, scant stools, sleepy feeds, or ongoing weight loss after day 5. For breastfed babies, add skin-to-skin time, try breast compressions, and offer both sides. For bottle-fed babies, nudge each feed up by 10–15 ml and watch cues.
When You’re Seeing A Lot Of Spit-Up
Try smaller, slightly more frequent feeds inside the same daily total. Keep your baby upright for 20–30 minutes after feeding. Check nipple flow; faster nipples can flood small mouths.
Quick Math For Common Weights
2.8 kg baby: 420–560 ml per day → 8–12 feeds = ~35–70 ml per feed. 3.2 kg baby: 480–640 ml per day → ~40–80 ml per feed. 4.0 kg baby: 600–800 ml per day → ~50–100 ml per feed. Use these as ballpark guides, then follow the baby in your arms, comfortably.
Day-By-Day Shift Across The First Week
Volumes don’t jump in a straight line. On days 1–2, tiny stomachs hold teaspoon-sized amounts. By days 3–4, many babies reach 20–40 ml per feed as milk increases. Days 5–7 bring the move toward 45–60 ml with some feeds touching 90 ml.
Simple Steps For Paced Bottle Feeding
Your Five-Step Routine
1. Hold your baby nearly upright with good head hold. 2. Tip the bottle just enough to fill the nipple half way. 3. Let baby draw the nipple in; don’t push. 4. After a minute, lower the bottle slightly for a short pause. Watch for relaxed hands and slower sucks. 5. Resume, offering one or two more pauses. End when your baby turns away or loses interest. This routine gives babies time to feel fullness at the right pace.
Night Feeds Without Chaos
Babies need night feeds at this age. Set up a quiet corner with a small light and everything within reach. Keep diaper changes brief and warm. If your baby is extra sleepy overnight, make sure daytime feeds don’t stretch too far apart. That keeps total intake steady across 24 hours. Limit stimulation, feed calmly, and move straight back to sleep quickly.
Common Myths That Raise Stress
“A Bigger Bottle Means Better Sleep.”
Sleep length doesn’t track neatly with bottle size. Overfilling a bottle can lead to spit-up and a fussy night. Stick with responsive feeding and steady daytime intake.
“Babies Must Finish The Bottle.”
Finishing isn’t the goal; comfort and growth are. With paced feeds, many babies stop with a little milk left. That’s a sign they’re getting better at self-regulating.
“You Can’t Judge Breastfeeding Intake.”
You can, by reading diapers, weight changes, and behavior after feeds. Some families also do a test-weigh before and after a feed using a sensitive scale, which can provide added reassurance in the early weeks.