For newborn formula, start near 5–15 mL per feed on day 1, rising to 60–90 mL by 1–2 weeks, with about 150–200 mL/kg across 24 hours.
How Many Milliliters Of Formula For A Newborn: Quick Ranges
New babies start with tiny stomachs and short feeds. On the first day, many take sips of about 5–15 mL at a time. By day 2, most stretch to around 15–30 mL per feed, and by day 3, 30–60 mL feels doable. Around the end of the first week, settle near 60–90 mL per feed. A rule of thumb from the American Academy of Pediatrics is about 75 mL per pound of body weight, not exceeding about 950 mL in 24 hours. A widely used metric guide is 150–200 mL per kilogram per day once the first week has passed.
Those ranges sit beside baby cues. Feed on demand, pace the bottle, and let your baby lead. In the first days, many babies feed 8–12 times in 24 hours, then gradually take bigger bottles with longer gaps.
| Age | Per Feed (mL) | Total / 24 h (mL) |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 5–15 | 60–180 |
| Day 2 | 15–30 | 120–240 |
| Day 3 | 30–60 | 240–480 |
| Days 4–6 | 45–75 | 360–600 |
| End of week 1 | 60–90 | 480–720 |
| Weeks 2–4 | 60–120 | 480–900 |
For clear reference, see the AAP formula amount guide and the NHS note that babies often take about 150–200 mL per kg per day after the first week.
Feeding Frequency And Baby Cues
Babies tell you when they want milk. Early signs include stirring, moving the head side to side, rooting, hand to mouth, and lip smacking. Crying is a late sign. In the newborn phase, 8–12 feeds across 24 hours is common, then bottles space out as intake per feed grows.
Stop the feed when your baby turns away, seals the lips, slows sucking, or relaxes the hands. Draining every bottle may mean the nipple flows too slowly or the bottle starts too small; steady fussing may mean gas, a fast flow, or simple tiredness.
Weight-Based Daily Volumes Made Simple
After the first week, a handy metric target is 150–200 mL per kilogram per day. A 3.2 kg baby lands near 480–640 mL across the day. Many families also use the AAP’s 75 mL per pound per day rule, which points to similar totals. Track the full day, not just single bottles, since babies bunch and space feeds.
What About Maximums?
A common cap is about 32 ounces, or near 950 mL per day. That line keeps room for baby-led regulation and helps prevent pushing volume when the need is comfort, sleep, or soothing. If bottles keep pressing past that line, ask your baby’s doctor for a check on growth, latch to the bottle, and feed timing.
Sample Day Plans (By Weight)
These two sketches show common patterns. Use them as a starting point and shift with baby cues and growth.
Baby Around 3.0 kg (After Week 1)
Total target: about 450–600 mL per day. One way to split that could be 8 feeds of 55–75 mL or 7 feeds of 65–85 mL. Many families find 3–4 hour gaps workable at night and shorter gaps by day.
Baby Around 4.0 kg (After Week 1)
Total target: about 600–800 mL per day. One way to split that could be 7 feeds of 85–115 mL or 6 feeds of 100–135 mL, with a longer night stretch when the day intake has gone well.
Daily Volume By Weight (150–200 mL/kg)
| Weight (kg) | 150 mL/kg | 200 mL/kg |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5 | 375 mL | 500 mL |
| 3.0 | 450 mL | 600 mL |
| 3.5 | 525 mL | 700 mL |
| 4.0 | 600 mL | 800 mL |
| 4.5 | 675 mL | 900 mL |
| 5.0 | 750 mL | 1000 mL |
Bottle Prep, Mixing, And Hygiene
Powder And Water
Wash hands, use clean bottles, and measure with care. Add the right amount of safe water first, then level scoops. Close the tin right away. Mix well, then test a few drops on your wrist before feeding.
Heating And Leftovers
Never microwave bottles; a bowl of warm water warms more evenly. Toss any leftover milk from a used bottle. Keep powder dry and use within the tin’s open-date window.
Storage And Handling
Make bottles close to feed time. If you need to prep ahead, chill bottles fast in the fridge. Keep milk cold when traveling by using ice packs near the bottle. Once a feed starts, throw away what remains at the end of that sitting. Wash parts soon after the feed so milk residue does not stick, and let parts air dry fully.
When Amounts May Differ
Babies who are preterm, smaller than expected for age, or recovering from illness may follow a different plan. Babies with reflux, tongue-tie, or a tight nipple flow may also vary. If weight checks lag, diapers drop off, or you see signs of dehydration, call your baby’s doctor.
Signs Feeding Amount Needs A Tweak
Too Little
Fewer than six wet diapers after day 5, long sleepy spells at the breast or bottle, slow weight gain, dry mouth, or sunken soft spot. Reach out to your baby’s doctor soon.
Too Much
Frequent spit-ups, coughs during feeds, gassy belly, or gaining faster than the growth curve. Try paced bottle feeding, check nipple flow, and add burp pauses.
Paced Bottle Feeding For Better Comfort
Paced feeding copies a chest-feeding rhythm and helps babies judge when they are satisfied. Hold your baby fairly upright and keep the bottle more horizontal so milk does not pour fast. Let your baby draw the nipple in and take breaks every few minutes. Switch sides now and then so eye contact and arm positions change. This simple rhythm lowers gulping, reduces air intake, and often cuts spit-ups.
Reading Growth And Diapers
Growth tells the story. Steady weight gains across weeks, bright eyes, and a strong wake window after feeds all point in the right direction. Wet diapers climb across the first days and reach at least six per day after day 5. Stools shift from dark meconium to lighter shades by the end of the first week. Sudden drops in wet diapers, hard pellets, or ongoing fuss after most bottles call for a quick chat with your baby’s doctor.
Converting Ounces And Milliliters
Many charts use ounces while clinics and tins use milliliters. A quick mental map helps: 30 mL is about 1 oz; 60 mL is about 2 oz; 90 mL is about 3 oz; 120 mL is about 4 oz. When reading older guides built around ounces per pound per day, you can swap to metric by multiplying pounds by 75 to get a daily mL target.
Night Feeds And Daytime Balance
Newborn sleep is short and scattered. Short night stretches keep calorie intake steady and protect growth. If your baby gives a longer stretch, balance with a strong day of feeds. Many families cluster two or three evening bottles with shorter gaps, then accept a longer stretch after midnight. If diapers slow down after a long sleep, daytime bottles may need a small boost.
Combo Feeding With Expressed Milk And Formula
Some families mix formula and expressed milk across the day. One bottle might be formula and the next expressed milk, or both might be blended in one feed. Keep the total daily volume the same targets noted above. If you blend in one bottle, mix the formula first with water, then add the expressed milk so the powder dissolves correctly.
Formula Types, Scoops, and Water
Powder, ready-to-feed, and liquid concentrate all reach the same calorie level when prepared correctly. With powder, level the scoop with a clean knife and match one scoop to the exact water line on the tin. With liquid concentrate, follow the label’s water ratio line by line. Ready-to-feed pours straight into a clean bottle and suits travel or the early days when sleep is thin. Always use safe water from a trusted source.
How Much MLs Of Formula For Newborn During Growth Spurts?
Short bursts of frequent feeds hit at times like week 2–3 and again near week 6. You may see shorter gaps and requests for small top-ups. Look to the daily total instead of each bottle. A day or two later, the pattern often returns to the earlier rhythm, with per-feed volumes creeping up a little.
Quick Checks Before Each Feed
- Is the bottle clean and the nipple intact with the right flow?
- Is the water safe and measured before powder?
- Are you holding your baby upright, with the bottle kept at a gentle angle?
- Are you watching baby cues and pausing for burps rather than urging the last sips?
Key Takeaways For Newborn Formula In mL
On day 1, think 5–15 mL per feed. By day 3, many reach 30–60 mL. From the end of week 1 through the first month, most sit near 60–120 mL per feed, spread across 6–10 feeds. Aim for about 150–200 mL/kg per day after the first week, with a general cap near 950 mL in 24 hours. Use baby cues to guide the final pour. Stay responsive.