In the first week, newborn milk intake ranges from about 5–7 ml per feed on day 1 to 30–60 ml by days 3–7, spread across 8–12 feeds each day.
Newborn feeding feels like a puzzle at first. Tiny stomach, fast growth, and lots of feeds. The good news: there’s a clear range for how much milk a newborn usually takes, and it moves up fast across the first days and weeks.
Newborn Milk Needs At A Glance
Here’s a quick view you can use while you settle into a rhythm. Volumes below reflect typical amounts per feed and the usual number of feeds in 24 hours. Your baby may sit a little below or above these ranges and still be doing well.
| Age | Per Feed (ml) | Feeds/24h |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 5–7 | 8–12 |
| Day 2 | 10–15 | 8–12 |
| Days 3–4 | 20–30 | 8–12 |
| Days 5–7 | 30–60 | 8–12 |
| Weeks 2–3 | 60–90 | 7–9 |
| Weeks 4–6 | 75–120 | 6–8 |
For a fuller breakdown and bottle planning, you can scan the CDC guidance on formula amounts and the NHS advice on bottle volumes. Those pages also explain feeding cues and why babies often eat little and often in the early weeks.
How Many Milliliters Of Milk For A Newborn Per Feed?
The first day brings tiny volumes. Most babies manage small sips of colostrum, about a teaspoon or two each time, because the stomach is cherry sized. That’s normal. Frequent feeds keep calories and hydration flowing while you both learn latch and pace.
Days 1–2: Colostrum Volumes
Expect about 5–7 ml per feed on day 1, inching toward 10–15 ml by day 2. Many babies bunch feeds together for a few hours then sleep a longer stretch. That “cluster” pattern often appears during the second night.
Days 3–7: Rising To 30–60 Ml
Once mature milk comes in or bottle volumes step up, most newborns are ready for 20–30 ml on days 3–4, and 30–60 ml by the end of week one. Burp midway if your baby pauses; resume when cues return.
Weeks 2–4: 60–90 Ml And Steady Growth
As the stomach grows, per-feed volumes commonly land between 60 and 90 ml, with feeds gradually spacing to every 3–4 hours. Some babies take a bit more at bedtime and a bit less overnight. Follow cues rather than the clock when possible.
Feeding Frequency And Daily Totals
Across the first weeks, most babies feed 8–12 times in 24 hours. That pattern often softens to 7–9 feeds by weeks 2–3, then 6–8 by a month or so. Multiply your baby’s typical per-feed volume by those counts to estimate the daily total.
As a guide, a bottle-fed newborn commonly takes 300–600 ml across day 3–7, rising toward 450–720 ml in weeks 2–4. Exclusively breastfed babies, once established, often settle somewhere in the 570–900 ml per-day range across 1–6 months, with natural day-to-day swings.
Reading Hunger And Fullness Cues
Watch the cues more than the clock. Early hunger looks like stirring, mouth opening, lip smacking, rooting, bringing hands to mouth. Late hunger shows as crying. Offer the breast or bottle at the early signs, which makes latching and pacing easier.
Fullness cues include slower sucking, relaxed hands and arms, turning the head away, or letting the nipple slide out. Don’t push to finish a bottle if cues say “done.” Stopping when satisfied helps babies tune appetite with intake.
Breastfeeding And Bottle Volumes Side By Side
Breastfed babies often take smaller, more frequent feeds. Bottle-fed babies may take larger amounts with longer gaps. Both patterns can be healthy. If you’re moving between breast and bottle, match the bottle to the pace of breastfeeding: hold baby upright, keep the bottle level, and pause every few swallows. That “paced” method helps avoid overfills and supports a smooth latch later.
Expressed Milk Portions
If you’re leaving expressed milk, small bottles work well early on: many parents portion 30–60 ml in week one and 60–90 ml in weeks 2–4. Label the date, store safely, and warm gently in a bowl of warm water instead of a microwave to keep nutrients intact.
Formula Planning Without Guesswork
Start near the per-feed range for your baby’s age, then adjust in 5–15 ml steps based on cues. If baby drains bottles fast and still roots, add a little next time. If baby leaves a third or more each feed, pour a bit less and pace the bottle. Most newborns top out near 720 ml per day in the first month, with many sitting lower.
Safe Mixing And Storage Basics
Wash hands, use clean bottles, and measure powder and water exactly as labeled. Make up what you need per feed, or chill bottles straight away if preparing ahead. Discard leftovers after one hour at room temp. In the fridge, a made-up bottle keeps for a short window; always follow the product label and your local guidance.
Common Roadblocks And Simple Fixes
Sleepy Baby In The First Days
Skin-to-skin, a gentle diaper change, or a brief swaddle break can wake a sleepy feeder. Offer both breasts or take short pauses during a bottle to keep the rhythm going.
Fast Bottles
Use a slow-flow nipple, keep the bottle more horizontal, and tip only enough to fill the nipple. Pause every few swallows for a breath and a burp. This mirrors natural let-downs and curbs gulping.
Gassy Or Unsettled After Feeds
Try a mid-feed burp and at the end. Aim for a deep latch at the breast. With bottles, check that the nipple isn’t collapsing and that baby’s chin stays slightly tipped down rather than flared up.
Weight, Diapers, And Growth Spurts
Steady diapers and an upward weight curve show the plan is working. Expect spurts that push intake higher for a day or two. During those stretches, offer feeds a bit sooner and don’t be surprised if per-feed volumes bump up.
Sample Bottle Plan For The First Month
Use this as a flexible template. Shift volumes by small amounts to match your baby’s pattern, and always follow hunger and fullness cues first.
| Age Window | Typical Per Feed (ml) | Daily Total (ml) |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 5–7 | 40–84 across 8–12 feeds |
| Days 2–3 | 10–30 | 80–360 across 8–12 feeds |
| Days 4–7 | 30–60 | 240–720 across 8–12 feeds |
| Weeks 2–3 | 60–90 | 420–720 across 7–9 feeds |
| Weeks 4 | 75–120 | 450–720 across 6–8 feeds |
Paced Bottle Feeding, Step By Step
Set Up
Hold your baby upright, close, and calm. Choose a slow-flow nipple. Keep the bottle more horizontal than vertical so milk doesn’t rush. Tickle the lips with the nipple and wait for a wide mouth before you let baby draw it in.
Feed
Keep the nipple just full. Let baby set the rhythm: a few swallows, then a pause. Tip the bottle down during pauses so milk stops flowing while the nipple stays in the mouth.
Finish
Watch for softer hands and slower sucking. When baby turns away or lets the nipple slip, end the feed even if a little milk remains. A gentle burp and a cuddle help the milk settle.
Personalizing Intake With Weight
Another way to think about milk volume is by body weight. Many services use a weight-based daily range for newborns during the early weeks. Take a 3.2 kg baby: intake often lands near 480–640 ml in 24 hours. Split across 8–12 feeds, that’s roughly 40–80 ml each time. If your baby’s cues point a notch higher or lower, shift your bottle size in small steps and reassess across a day.
This method pairs well with growth checks. If weight gain and diaper counts look steady and feeds feel calm, your plan is on track. If feeds feel tense, volumes swing wildly, or weight checks stall, talk with your doctor.
When To Call The Doctor
Seek prompt help for poor feeding with weak suck, long gaps between feeds with few wet diapers, repeated vomiting, or signs of dehydration such as a dry mouth or unusual sleepiness. Reach out sooner if your baby was preterm, small for dates, or you’ve been told to follow a specific plan.
Quick Answers To Big Worries
“My Baby Wants More After Finishing A Bottle.”
Offer another 10–30 ml and pace the feed. If that pattern repeats across a day or two, step the next bottles up slightly.
“My Baby Never Finishes Bottles.”
Pour a little less, then add small top-ups when cues say so. Babies self-regulate well when given time and pauses.
“Do I Wake A Sleepy Newborn At Night?”
In the first weeks many babies need 8–12 feeds in 24 hours. If long stretches push you below that, wake for a feed, then return to sleep.
The Bottom Line
On day 1, expect 5–7 ml per feed. By the end of week 1, think 30–60 ml. In weeks 2–4, most feeds fall between 60 and 90 ml, with total intake guided by 8–12 daily feeds at first and then fewer, larger feeds. Follow your baby’s cues, adjust in small steps, and ask your doctor if something feels off.