In the first day a newborn drinks about 5–7 ml per feed; by days 3–4 about 20–30 ml; by the end of week 1 around 45–60 ml, adding up to roughly 300–700 ml in 24 hours.
New parents ask this within hours of birth, and the honest answer is a range. Newborns sip tiny amounts of colostrum at first, then step up volume as milk transitions. Feed rhythm matters too: most babies nurse 8–12 times across a day, with short gaps early on and longer stretches as the days pass. The goal isn’t to chase a single number; it’s to match milk to cues and growth.
Newborn Milk Intake In MLs Per Feed — Day-By-Day
These ballpark figures help set expectations. They describe healthy term babies nursing on demand. Some feeds will be smaller, others larger. Watch diapers, weight, and comfort while using these ranges as a guide.
| Baby’s Age | Per Feed (ml) | What To Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 5–7 | Cherry-size stomach; frequent sips of thick colostrum. |
| Day 2 | 22–27 | More alert; stronger sucking; wet diapers increase. |
| Days 3–4 | 20–30 | Milk “comes in”; cluster feeds are common. |
| Days 5–7 | 45–60 | Stools turn yellow; swallowing sounds clearer. |
| About 1 month | 80–150 | Larger feeds for many, though some still prefer small, frequent feeds. |
Those per-feed ranges align with clinical guidance from the Cleveland Clinic, which maps typical stomach capacity across the first month.
Why Intake Jumps So Quickly
Colostrum is concentrated, so a few milliliters cover early needs. As milk changes over days 3–5, volume rises and stools shift from dark meconium to mustard-yellow. Latch improves with practice, and babies learn to pace better at the breast. More efficient transfer means bigger feeds without stretching the stomach beyond comfort.
Daily Totals: What A Full Day Looks Like
Daily intake depends on both feed size and frequency. With 8–12 feeds in the early days, those per-feed ranges translate to day totals like these:
- Day 1: about 30–80 ml across 24 hours.
- Days 3–4: about 160–360 ml across 24 hours.
- End of week 1: about 360–720 ml across 24 hours.
These are ranges, not targets. Wet diapers, stools, weight checks, and contented periods after feeds give better feedback than any single number.
Hunger Cues And Feeding Rhythm
Most newborns nurse 8–12 times in 24 hours. Early cues include stirring, mouth opening, lip smacking, and hand-to-mouth movements. Crying arrives late, so try to latch before that stage. The CDC notes many babies nurse every 2–4 hours on average, with some periods of hourly cluster feeding and an occasional 4–5 hour stretch of sleep.
What About Bottles Of Expressed Milk?
If you’re preparing bottles, think in ranges, then adjust to cues. After the first weeks, a common starting point is 80–120 ml per bottle for many babies, with pace-feeding and pauses to avoid overfilling. Babies vary, so watch for steady weight gain and satisfied behavior more than an empty bottle.
Right-Sizing Bottle Portions
Here’s a simple way to match bottle size to feeding frequency during the 1–6 month window when growth is steady: pick the expected number of feeds in 24 hours, then pick a per-feed range.
| Feeds/Day | Per Feed (ml) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | 95–150 | Larger feeds with longer gaps. |
| 9–10 | 90–130 | Common for many families. |
| 11–12 | 70–110 | Smaller feeds with shorter gaps. |
Paced bottle technique helps a ton here: keep the bottle more horizontal, use a slow-flow teat, and pause often so baby can decide when to stop. That keeps intake closer to the natural rhythm at the breast.
When Intake Looks Low Or High
Sleepy Starts
Some babies nap through cues on day 1–2. Offer the breast often, hold baby skin-to-skin, and ask a nurse or midwife to watch a latch. Frequent attempts help bring in milk and boost transfer.
Cluster Feeding Waves
Evenings can bring back-to-back feeds. That surge usually passes once supply catches up. Offer both breasts and swap sides more than once if baby stays eager.
Growth Spurts
Days around 7–10, three weeks, and six weeks often bring a short spike in hunger. Intake rises for a few days, then settles again.
Preterm Or Small Babies
Preterm or smaller babies may tire sooner and take smaller volumes per feed. Short, frequent sessions and gentle breast compressions can help. Follow your care team’s plan on minimums and any supplements if they’re advised.
Overfilling From Bottles
Bottles can flow faster than the breast, so babies may finish more than they need. Use a slow-flow teat, hold the bottle horizontal, and pause often. Watch baby, not the number on the bottle: relaxed hands, slower sucking, and turning away signal “done.”
Practical Ways To Boost Transfer
- Skin-to-skin: Hold baby on your chest wearing only a diaper. This steadies reflexes and brings cues earlier.
- Deep latch: Aim for a wide mouth, chin pressed into the breast, and more areola visible above than below.
- Switch nursing: When swallowing slows, switch sides; repeat if baby stays hungry.
- Breast compressions: Gentle squeezes during active sucking help milk flow and keep baby engaged.
- Night feeds: Night nursing helps maintain supply during the first weeks.
- Paced bottles: For expressed milk, go slow and add pauses so baby can self-regulate.
How This Guide Was Built
The per-feed figures for Day 1, Day 2, Day 7, and one month match the intake chart shared by the Cleveland Clinic. Typical feeding frequency every 2–4 hours, including cluster periods and longer sleep stretches, reflects guidance from the CDC. Both sources encourage responsive, cue-based feeding and frequent nursing in the early weeks.
Key Points To Use Today
- Day 1: 5–7 ml per feed. Day 2: 22–27 ml. Days 3–4: 20–30 ml. End of week 1: 45–60 ml. Around one month: 80–150 ml.
- Most newborns nurse 8–12 times in 24 hours; stretches vary by day and by baby.
- For bottles after the first weeks: start with 80–120 ml, use pace-feeding, and adjust to hunger and satiety cues.
- Numbers guide you, but diapers, weight trend, and a relaxed, sleepy baby after feeds tell the real story.