Most newborns need 150–200 mL per kg each day across 8–12 feeds; in week 1, per-feed volumes rise from 5–7 mL to 45–60 mL.
New parents hear a lot of numbers. Ounces, milliliters, feeds, minutes. This guide keeps it simple. You’ll see the typical daily totals in mL, the usual feed sizes through the first 10 days, and clear signs your baby is taking enough. The numbers apply to both breast milk and formula unless noted.
Newborn mL Per Day: Typical Ranges
Across the first months, a handy rule of thumb is 150–200 mL per kilogram of body weight per day. That range lines up with pediatric and health-service advice used around the world. It gives a realistic daily total while leaving room for normal day-to-day swings.
Why The Range Exists
Babies don’t drink the same amount at each feed. Growth spurts, cluster feeding, and sleep stretches change the pattern. Some days land near 150 mL/kg and others near 200 mL/kg. Both can be normal for the same baby.
Quick Link To Official Guidance
You can find the body-weight rule on the AAP formula feeding page and in NHS advice that uses the 150–200 mL/kg daily total (NHS 111 Wales).
First Week Feed Sizes (Per Feed)
Newborn stomachs are tiny and expand fast. Per-feed volumes climb across the first 10 days while the number of feeds stays high. The table below shows common ranges and the usual 24-hour feed counts.
| Baby Day | Per-Feed Volume (mL) | Feeds/24h |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 5–7 | 8–12 |
| Day 2 | 10–15 | 8–12 |
| Day 3 | 20–30 | 8–12 |
| Day 4 | 30–45 | 8–12 |
| Days 5–7 | 45–60 | 8–12 |
| Days 8–10 | 60–90 | 8–12 |
How To Read This Table
Think ranges, not targets. Many babies take several small feeds close together, then a break. Others space feeds evenly. The 8–12 feeds per day reflect both patterns.
Turn Weight Into A Daily Total
Use this simple math: weight (kg) × 150 to 200 = total mL for the day. Split that across 8–12 feeds. You can then adjust up or down with hunger or fullness cues.
Worked Example
A 3.2 kg newborn: 3.2 × 150 = 480 mL and 3.2 × 200 = 640 mL per day. Across 10 feeds, that’s about 48–64 mL per feed on that day.
Formula Rule In Ounces
If you prefer ounces, the AAP also gives a handy rule of 2½ oz per pound per day with a practical top end near 32 oz. That matches the mL/kg range above and keeps portions sensible while your baby grows.
Feed Frequency And Baby Cues
Frequent feeding is normal. Most newborns feed 8–12 times in 24 hours. Expect short gaps during the day and one or two longer stretches at night. Watch your baby first, the clock second.
Early Hunger Cues
Lip smacking, hand-to-mouth, rooting, gentle fussing. Starting a feed at this stage often leads to smoother feeds and calm swallows.
Fullness Cues
Relaxed hands, slower sucking, turning away, falling asleep at the breast or bottle. When you see these cues, pause, burp, and stop if the cues persist.
Breast Milk, Formula, And Bottles
The daily mL range fits both breast milk and formula. With bottles, try paced feeding: hold the bottle more horizontal, pause every minute or so, and switch sides as you would with breastfeeding. This helps babies keep a natural rhythm and stop when satisfied.
Pumped Milk Planning
When planning bottles of expressed milk, use the same daily total math, then portion bottles near the average per-feed amount for your baby’s weight that day. Many newborn bottles land between 45 and 60 mL in the first week, moving toward 60–90 mL by day 8–10.
Burps And Breaks
Short pauses help babies register fullness. Offer a burp mid-feed and at the end. If your baby looks content after a partial bottle, save the rest safely rather than nudging them to finish.
Bottle Nipple Flow And Position
Newborn nipples with slower flow reduce gulping and air. If your baby struggles, try a slower flow and angle the bottle to keep milk just in the nipple, not flooding the mouth.
Small Adjustments That Help
Hold your baby a little more upright, tuck the chin slightly, and give short pauses for breathing and burps. These tweaks can cut spit-up and improve comfort.
Cluster Feeding And Growth Spurts
Many babies group several feeds in the evening or during spurts. Intake over 24 hours still tends to fit the same daily total; the timing just shifts. Extra evening feeds usually bring a longer stretch of sleep afterward.
Breastfeeding Notes For Week 1
Colostrum is thick and golden in the first days and arrives in small yet mighty amounts that match newborn stomach size. Around day 3 to 5, milk volume rises and feeds feel longer with more audible swallows. Latch deeply, keep your baby close, and offer both sides when they cue again. If nipples feel sore, start the next feed on the side that feels better and adjust position to get more breast tissue into the mouth.
Formula Notes For Week 1
Stick to the scoop-for-water ratio on your tin. Adding extra powder or extra water changes osmolality and can upset a tiny gut. Do not add cereal. Use fresh, safe water as directed on the label, and wash bottles and nipples with hot soapy water or a dishwasher cycle between uses. If your baby seems gassy, slow the nipple flow and pause more often for burps.
Preterm Or Small Babies
Babies born early or small may follow a custom plan from the nursery. That plan can include a different daily mL per kg target, fortifiers, or a tighter feed schedule. Keep the plan handy at home and write down actual intakes for the first days after discharge so your clinic team can review real numbers with you.
Red Flags That Need A Call
Numbers are useful, but well-being comes first. Call your baby’s doctor without delay if you see fewer than 6 wet diapers after day 4, dry mouth, a weak cry, jaundice that spreads or deepens, or poor weight gain. Trust your instincts and seek help fast with any sudden change.
Daily Totals By Weight (Quick Reference)
Use these figures as a ballpark only. Babies slide up and down this range from day to day. Always let hunger and fullness cues lead the final call.
| Baby Weight (kg) | mL/day at 150 | mL/day at 200 |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5 | 375 | 500 |
| 3.0 | 450 | 600 |
| 3.5 | 525 | 700 |
| 4.0 | 600 | 800 |
| 4.5 | 675 | 900 |
Practical Tips That Keep Intake On Track
Set Up For Calm Feeds
Dim lights, unwrap only partly, and keep your baby snug with steady head-neck hold. A calm start shortens feeds and improves latch or bottle seal.
Watch The Diapers
By day 4, most babies have at least 6 wet diapers per day. Stools change from dark meconium to mustard yellow on human milk. Formula stools tend to be tan to brown and more formed. Sudden shifts deserve a call.
Mind The Upper Limits
Formula bottles that climb far past the daily range can push intake beyond what a newborn needs. Big bottles stretch small stomachs and may raise spit-up. Pace feeds, and if a baby drains a bottle quickly, pause and offer more in small steps.
Room-Temp, Warm, Or Cool
Serve milk at any safe temperature your baby accepts. Warm bottles are popular, yet many babies drink happily at room temp. Consistency matters more than temperature.
Safe Mixing And Storage
Follow your formula label for mixing. For storage, stick to clean hands, clean parts, and prompt refrigeration of prepared bottles you won’t use right away. Discard any milk left at room temp beyond safe windows.
Using The Numbers Without Stress
Think of the 150–200 mL/kg range as a map, not a rule. On a sleepy day you may land near the lower end; on a busy day you may drift higher. If your baby wakes cheerful, feeds with steady swallows, has good diaper counts, and gains weight at checks, you’re on track.
Two Simple Tracking Methods
First, jot down feed start times and rough amounts for a day or two. Second, add diaper counts and any spit-up notes. You’ll spot patterns quickly and can adjust bottle sizes or timing without guesswork.
When Less Is More
With bottles, smaller, more frequent portions often lead to fewer spills and calmer tummies. If you move from 90 mL to two 60 mL feeds an hour apart, the daily total stays the same while comfort improves.
Month One Snapshot
By the end of the first month, many babies settle near 60–120 mL per feed with totals that still fit the 150–200 mL/kg rule. A baby at 4.0 kg may take 75–100 mL most feeds and a larger bottle every so often.
Night Feeds Without Full Wake-Ups
Keep lights low, skip diaper changes unless needed, and keep voices soft. Offer one side or a small bottle first, burp gently, then see if your baby cues for more. Many babies take two short night feeds instead of one large one.
Paced Feeding Checklist
- Start with a slow-flow nipple and a near-horizontal bottle.
- Let your baby draw the nipple in rather than placing it deep.
- Pause every minute to watch swallowing and breathing.
- Stop when cues say “done,” even if a little milk remains.
Your Takeaway
Think weight first, then watch your baby. Aim for 150–200 mL per kg per day, expect 8–12 feeds, and let cues steer the exact portions. With calm, paced feeds and regular checks, newborns find their own steady rhythm.