One to three days old newborns usually take 2–30 ml per feed, rising to 30–90 ml by the end of week one, with 8–12 feeds in 24 hours.
Newborn feeding isn’t a set script. Intake grows fast across the first days, and the range is wide. The goal is steady, cue led feeding that matches your baby’s size, age, and wakefulness. The numbers below give ballpark figures in milliliters so you can prep bottles, pace feeds, and feel ready.
How Many Mls For A Newborn Per Feed By Day
Amounts change as colostrum gives way to mature milk. Per feed volumes climb quickly through the first week. Daily totals rise with them, while most babies still nurse often. Many families find this table handy when planning expressed milk or paced bottle feeds.
| Age | Per Feed (ml) | Feeds & Daily Total (ml) |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 2–10 | 8–12 feeds; about 30–80 total |
| Day 2 | 5–15 | 8–12 feeds; about 60–120 total |
| Day 3 | 15–30 | 8–12 feeds; about 120–240 total |
| Days 4–6 | 30–60 | 8–12 feeds; about 300–600 total |
| Week 2 | 60–90 | 8–12 feeds; about 450–750 total |
| Weeks 3–4 | 80–120 | 7–10 feeds; about 550–900 total |
Feeding rhythm drives totals as much as bottle size. The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that babies in the first days may take only half an ounce at a time, then move to 30–60 ml per feed, while nursing at least 8–12 times each day. See their guide on how often and how much babies eat for a quick refresher.
Why The Range Is Wide
Stomach capacity is tiny on day 1 and expands through the week. Colostrum comes in small, dense servings, then volume rises as milk changes over days 3–5. Babies also space feeds unevenly: clusters in the evening, longer stretches after a deep nap, short snacks when sleepy. All of that shifts the ml count per sitting.
Signs Your Newborn Is Ready Or Done
Amounts aren’t the only guide. Watch your baby. Early hunger cues include:
- Stirring, rapid eye movement, or bringing hands to mouth
- Rooting, open mouth, lip smacking, or gentle head turns
- Soft sounds, mild fussing, eager latching
Fullness cues can show up like this:
- Slower sucking with longer pauses
- Relaxed hands and body, milk in the mouth corners
- Self detaching or falling asleep at the breast or bottle
Feed Frequency That Works
Most newborns feed at least 8–12 times in 24 hours. Some days bring extra snacks. Other days bring longer naps and slightly larger feeds. If you’re offering both breasts, let your baby finish the first side, burp, then offer the second. With expressed milk, paced bottles help babies lead the flow and stop when they’re full.
Building Bottles With Expressed Milk
If you’re pumping for a newborn, small bottles win. Early days call for 20–60 ml bottles. By the end of week one, 60–90 ml bottles fit many babies. Past the second week, daily intake for breastfed babies often lands near 450–750 ml split across 8–12 feeds. That puts a common per feed range near 60–90 ml, with some babies taking a bit less or more. For older infants, average daily intake often tracks near 750 ml.
Quick Ml Math For Bottles
Here’s a simple way to size a bottle. Try this today. Take the daily total your baby tends to drink and divide by the number of feeds. If your baby averages 600 ml across ten feeds, pour about 60 ml, burp halfway, then offer a little more if cues say so. If feeds drop to eight, try 70–80 ml instead. For tiny babies early in week one, start nearer 30–45 ml and let baby lead the rest. Small portions plus pacing keep overfeeding at bay.
Practical Ways To Pace Feeds
Whether nursing or bottle feeding, slow and steady helps milk meet appetite. Try these tips:
- Keep baby upright for bottles and pause halfway for a burp
- Switch sides during nursing once swallowing slows
- Use slow flow nipples to match the breast flow pattern
- Let baby rest mid feed, then offer more if cues say so
Diapers And Weight: A Helpful Cross-check
Wet and dirty diapers paint a clear picture. By day 3, many babies have at least three wet diapers. By day 5, expect six or more wet diapers daily with pale urine. Stools shift from dark to green to mustard yellow by the fourth day. Weight often dips the first days, then trends up after milk volume rises. Babies who feed often, wake for feeds, and meet diaper counts are usually taking enough ml over the day.
Common First Week Patterns
Day 1 often brings brief, frequent feeds with 2–10 ml swallowed per sitting. Day 2 can look similar with a few longer nursings. By day 3, many babies swallow 15–30 ml at a time and wake with sharper hunger cues. Days 4–6 bring fuller breasts, gulping swallows, and 30–60 ml per feed. By the end of week one, many babies reach 60–90 ml, and nights start to stretch a touch.
When Bottle Amounts Seem Off
Big bottles right away can lead to spit up or shorter nursing time later. If baby drains 120 ml bottles in the first week and seems fussy, try paced feeds with smaller portions, offer a second small pour, and watch cues. On the flip side, if diaper counts drop, or baby is hard to wake, offer more frequent, smaller feeds and check in with your baby’s doctor.
Late Preterm, Small, Or Sleepy Babies
Babies born a bit early or small can tire sooner and swallow less per sitting. They may do best with 10–30 ml at a time in the first days, then 30–60 ml later in the week, with more frequent sessions. Hand expression after nursing and offering that milk can boost intake while practice builds stamina.
Pumping, Storing, And Warming Milk Safely
Fresh milk can stay on the counter for a short window, longer in the fridge, and months in the freezer. The CDC milk storage chart lists time limits that keep milk safe and nutrient rich. Label every container with date and time. Store in small portions to cut waste and match the ml amounts above.
| Where | Temp | Safe Time Window |
|---|---|---|
| Countertop | 25 °C or cooler | Up to 4 hours is best |
| Insulated cooler | With ice packs | Up to 24 hours |
| Refrigerator | 4 °C | Up to 4 days |
| Freezer | −18 °C | Best by 6 months; up to 12 |
| Thawed in fridge | Cold, not refrozen | Use within 24 hours |
| Warmed or at room temp | — | Use within 2 hours |
Warming And Handling Tips
Skip the microwave. Warm sealed containers in a bowl of warm water or under warm running water, then swirl to mix fat layers. Test drops on your wrist. Offer milk cool if your baby prefers it that way. If a bottle isn’t finished, reuse within two hours, then discard leftovers.
Sample 24-Hour Rhythm With ML Amounts
Here’s a starter plan you can tweak. Aim for ten sessions across the day. Keep bottles small, match cues, and add a little more if your baby stays hungry.
- 6 a.m.: 40–60 ml, then back to sleep
- 8 a.m.: 50–70 ml, diaper change, short play
- 10 a.m.: 50–70 ml, nap
- Noon: 60–80 ml, burp, cuddle
- 2 p.m.: 50–70 ml, nap
- 4 p.m.: 60–80 ml, tummy time
- 6 p.m.: 50–70 ml, cluster time starts
- 8 p.m.: 40–60 ml, bath, wind-down
- 11 p.m.: 40–60 ml, swaddle
- 3 a.m.: 40–60 ml, quick change, back down
Totals for this pattern land near 500–700 ml, which fits many babies after the first week. If your newborn is earlier in week one, slide amounts down toward the lower ends shown in the table above.
Troubleshooting Common Snags
Lots of spit up? Try smaller, more frequent portions and extra burp breaks. Keep baby upright for 20–30 minutes after feeds.
Sleepy feeder? Skin-to-skin, dim lights, a diaper change, and gentle breast compressions can rouse interest and boost transfer.
Gassy evening? Cluster feeding near bedtime is common. Offer the breast again or split a bottle into two short sessions.
Pumping for work? Freeze milk in 60–90 ml packs, rotate oldest first, and send several small bottles so caregivers can match cues.
When To See Your Baby’s Doctor
Reach out if diaper counts fall, stools stay dark after day 4, jaundice worsens, latching hurts each feed, or weight keeps dropping past the first week. Babies born early, small, or with tongue-tie often need closer follow up on intake and weight. A quick in-person check can line up a plan that fits your baby.
Quick Takeaways For Busy Days
- Day 1: 2–10 ml per feed; tiny stomach, frequent sessions
- By day 3: 15–30 ml per feed; still 8–12 feeds daily
- Days 4–6: 30–60 ml per feed as milk volume rises
- End of week 1: many babies take 60–90 ml
- Weeks 2–4: about 450–750 ml across the day, split into small feeds
- Use paced bottles and diaper counts to keep intake on track
- Follow safe storage times for pumped milk from the CDC chart above