How Many MLs Should A Newborn Drink? | Feeding Facts

New babies eat small, frequent meals. The first milk, colostrum, comes in tiny amounts that match a newborn’s stomach. Intake then climbs fast across the first week, and by the end of it most babies take steady, predictable volumes whether nursing or bottle-feeding.

This guide translates the numbers into clear ranges in milliliters (mL) and explains what changes to expect across the first month. Feed responsively, watch diapers, and use the tables to set realistic targets rather than rigid rules. Two trusted references you can scan while reading are the AAP’s formula amounts and AAP tips on knowing baby is getting enough.

Newborn Feeding Volumes By Day And Week

Volumes below reflect typical ranges for healthy, full-term babies. Some feeds fall below or above the range; watch appetite and diaper counts across 24 hours. Breastfed babies tend to take many small feeds; formula-fed babies may stretch a little longer between feeds.

Age	Per Feed (mL)	Daily Pattern
0–24 hours	2–10	8–12 feeds; colostrum only
24–48 hours	5–15	8–12 feeds; frequent latching
48–72 hours	15–30	8–12 feeds; milk starting to increase
Days 4–7	30–90	Every 2–3 hours; 300–600 mL per day
Weeks 2–3	45–105	About every 2–3 hours; 400–700 mL per day
Week 4	60–120	About every 3 hours; 500–750 mL per day

Why Ranges Differ

No two newborns eat in the exact same way. Birth weight, timing of milk coming in, latch quality, bottle nipple flow, sleepiness from birth meds, and tongue or lip ties can tilt volumes up or down. Track the full day, not a single feed. If growth, diapers, and mood look good, your range is working.

Breastfeeding: Frequency, Cues, And Normal Patterns

Plan on 8–12 nursing sessions per day in the early weeks. Short, close-together feeds in the evening (cluster feeding) are common. Offer both breasts, switch sides when swallowing slows, and let baby finish at the breast.

Hunger And Fullness Cues

• Hunger: stirring, hands to mouth, lip smacking, rooting, early fussing.
• Fullness: relaxing hands, slowed sucking, turning away, content sleep.

How Breast Milk Intake Stabilizes

Once milk is in, total daily intake for exclusively breastfed babies often lands around 570–900 mL from 1–6 months. Newborns ramp toward that in the first weeks. When pumping, most early bottles fall in the 30–90 mL range, then grow to 60–120 mL as gaps lengthen.

Output Benchmarks

Diapers tell the story. Expect one wet diaper on day 1, two on day 2, three on day 3. By days 5–7, look for 6+ wets every 24 hours and several yellow, seedy stools (AAP diaper guidance). Call your pediatrician for fewer wets, dark urine, or very sleepy feeds that don’t improve after waking.

Formula Feeding: Daily Totals And Per-Feed Amounts

Formula volumes are easy to measure, and weight offers a quick calculator. A common target after the first few days is 150 mL per kilogram of body weight each day, split across feeds. Many babies also land near the AAP rule of about 2.5 ounces per pound per day (roughly 75 mL per kilogram more than the 2.5 oz rule suggests), with an upper daily limit near 900–950 mL in the first months.

Mixing And Pace Tips

• Prepare powdered formula with safe water and the scoop that comes in the can.
• Hold baby semi-upright and use paced bottle feeding so swallowing stays easy.
• Slow down when the tongue starts fluttering or breathing sounds noisy.
• Discard leftover formula from a used bottle within one hour.

How Many MLs Should A Newborn Drink Per Feed? Age Guide

Use these ballpark ranges as you plan each feed. They assume about 8–12 feeds per day in week 1, shifting toward 7–9 feeds by week 4. Babies who sleep longer at night often take a bit more during daytime hours.

By Type Of Feeding

• Breastfeeding at the breast: time at the breast varies; early transfers are small, then feeds build to roughly 60–120 mL as supply and spacing grow.
• Expressed milk in a bottle: start with 30–60 mL and adjust by baby’s cues; increase to 60–90 mL, then 90–120 mL as windows between feeds widen.
• Formula: first days 30–60 mL; by week 2 many take 60–90 mL; by week 4 some reach 90–120 mL, still spread through the day.

Weight-Based Guide For Formula

Pick your baby’s weight and read across. The daily amount uses 150 mL per kilogram per day. The per-feed number assumes 8 feeds.

Weight (kg)	Daily Total (mL)	Per Feed @ 8 Feeds (mL)
2.5	375	45–50
3.0	450	55–60
3.5	525	65–70
4.0	600	75
4.5	675	80–85

Growth Spurts And Cluster Evenings

Babies often bunch feeds around days 7–10, at two weeks, and again near three weeks. That flurry can feel nonstop for a day or two. Hold the plan loosely, offer the breast or a small bottle more often, and rest between bursts. Extra milk made during these days supports the next stretch.

When To Wake A Sleepy Newborn To Feed

In the early days, long naps can sneak up on you. Wake for a feed at least every three hours by day, and about every four hours at night, until weight is trending up and your clinician is happy with gain. Once growth is steady, many babies create their own rhythm with one longer night stretch.

Overfeeding Signs With Bottles

Bottles empty fast, and babies are eager suckers. Size feeds to cues, not to the line on the bottle. Watch for:

• Frequent spit-ups or milk leaking from the mouth while swallowing.
• Hard belly, grimacing, arching, or stiff legs after feeds.
• Weight jumping far beyond the growth curve paired with fussy feeds.

Formula Safety Reminders

Wash hands, clean parts, and follow the scoop-to-water ratio on the can. Use made-up formula within 24 hours if refrigerated and within one hour once a baby has started a bottle. Never water down formula to stretch it, and never add cereal to a bottle in the first months.

When Baby Wants To Feed Again Soon

Even with a solid feed, many newborns wake and ask for more within a short window. Growth spurts and evening fussy periods can bunch feeds together. Offer the breast again or prepare a small top-up. If spit-ups increase or diaper counts drop, scale back and return to usual spacing.

When The Numbers Need A Closer Look

Call your pediatrician promptly for any of the following: fewer than 5–6 wets after day 5, dark or brick-colored urine after day 3, very dry mouth, fast breathing with feeds, repeated choking, green vomit, or poor weight gain. Babies born preterm, babies with jaundice, and twins often need tailored plans and more weight checks.

Pumping And Bottle Sizes

Early bottles don’t need to be large. Storing milk in 30–90 mL portions reduces waste and keeps pace with typical feed sizes. Most babies do well with slow-flow nipples in the first month; move up only if feeds take longer than 30 minutes with lots of effort, or if baby collapses the nipple.

Sample 24-Hour Rhythm You Can Tweak

Here’s a simple template for a healthy, term newborn around week 3. Adjust to your baby’s cues and your family’s routine:

• 6:00 – Feed 75–90 mL or breastfeed both sides.
• 8:30 – Feed 60–75 mL; short wake window; nap.
• 11:00 – Feed 75–90 mL; burp; nap.
• 1:30 – Feed 75–90 mL; tummy time.
• 4:00 – Feed 75–90 mL; nap.
• 6:30 – Cluster: 45–60 mL, then another 45–60 mL within 60–90 minutes.
• 9:30 – Feed 75–90 mL; longer sleep stretch.
• 1:30 – Night feed 60–90 mL.
• 4:30 – Night feed 60–90 mL; fresh diaper; back to sleep.

Practical Ways To Keep Feeding Comfortable

Position And Latch

Bring baby to you, belly-to-belly, nose to nipple. Wait for a wide gape, then hug the shoulders toward you. If latching is painful beyond the first moments, break the seal with a clean finger and try again.

Paced Bottles

Hold the bottle nearly horizontal and let baby draw milk in with steady sucks. Tip down for brief pauses to match natural let-downs. Swap sides halfway through the feed to mimic breast changes and reduce side preferences.

Burping And Air

Pause every 30–45 mL for a gentle burp, or when swallowing gets choppy. Try shoulder, seated, or tummy-down across your lap until you find a favorite.

Common Bottle And Sleep Notes

Per-Feed Upper Range In Month One

For the first month, many babies top out near 90–120 mL per feed. A few take more, though total daily volume usually stays under about 900–950 mL. If spit-ups are frequent, shrink the next bottle or add pauses.

Long Sleep Stretch And Making Up Volume

Offer a full feed on waking. Some babies make up the missed volume over the next two feeds; others spread it across the day. Watch diapers and mood rather than chasing an exact total right away.

Night Sleep And Big Bottles

Large bottles near bedtime can backfire with gas and spit-ups. A calm routine, responsive feeds, and comfortable sleep space do more than an oversized bottle.

Numbers To Remember

Think day-by-day. Day 1 is teaspoons. By the end of week 1, most feeds land at 45–90 mL. Through week 4, many settle between 60–120 mL per feed with 7–9 feeds a day. Let baby lead, track diapers, and keep questions flowing with your care team. If questions linger, talk with your pediatrician or a lactation clinic too.