Most newborns move from about 10–20 oz/day in week 1 to around 20–30 oz/day by weeks 2–4, with formula commonly capped near 32 oz/day.
Newborn appetite changes fast in the first month. Tiny stomachs, rapid growth, day-night shifts, and feed-to-feed variation all shape intake. Rather than chasing a single target, use the ranges below as a realistic map and let your baby’s cues steer each day.
Newborn Daily Intake At A Glance (By Age)
This early-days table blends ranges from pediatric sources into a simple view you can use right away.
| Age Window | Typical Per-Feed Amount | About 24-Hr Total |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 1–10 mL (teaspoons of colostrum), ~0.3 oz | ~1–4 oz |
| Days 2–3 | 5–30 mL (0.2–1 oz) | ~4–10 oz |
| Days 4–6 | 30–60 mL (1–2 oz) | ~10–20 oz |
| Day 7 | 45–60 mL (1.5–2 oz) | ~10–20 oz |
| Weeks 2–3 | 60–90 mL (2–3 oz) | ~20–25 oz |
| Weeks 3–4 | 90–120 mL (3–4 oz) | ~24–32 oz |
Why the wide bands? Babies differ. Breastfed babies often take smaller, more frequent feeds, while bottle-fed babies take larger, more spaced feeds. The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that by the end of month one many babies take 3–4 oz per feed and that a daily total near 32 oz is a common upper limit for formula.
How Many Ounces Should A Newborn Eat Per Day – Real Ranges
If You Primarily Breastfeed
Across the first days, intake ramps from teaspoons of colostrum to a steady daily volume. By the end of week one many babies reach 10–20 oz per day. Through weeks two to four, most land in the 20–30 oz range across 24 hours, split into 8–12 feeds. From about one month onward, typical exclusive-breastmilk intake averages near 25 oz per day, with many healthy babies between 19 and 30 oz. When offering bottles of expressed milk, portion for the next feed, not a whole day at once, and expect normal swings across the day.
If You Primarily Use Formula
A handy rule for day-to-day planning is 2.5 oz of formula per pound of body weight over 24 hours, usually spread over 6–10 feeds. Most newborns start with 1–2 oz every 2–3 hours in the first days, move to 2–3 oz by weeks two to three, and reach 3–4 oz by the end of month one. Avoid pushing past about 32 oz per day unless your pediatrician advises it, since some babies keep sucking for comfort even when already full.
Feeding plans do change. Growth spurts, cluster feeds, sleepy stretches, and time at the breast for soothing all influence the day’s math. Let intake swing within the bands above while watching diapers, weight gain, and comfort.
Feeding Frequency And Cues
Newborns usually feed 8–12 times per 24 hours. Breastfed babies tend to come back to the breast every 2–3 hours, and sometimes hourly during cluster periods; the CDC notes that many exclusively breastfed babies feed every 2–4 hours, with occasional longer stretches. See the CDC’s overview on how much and how often to breastfeed for timing patterns and what “on demand” looks like in real life.
- Early hunger cues: stirring, rooting, hand-to-mouth, lip smacking.
- Active hunger: strong rooting, focused head turning, escalating cry.
- Fullness cues: slower sucking, turning away, relaxed hands, dozing off.
Responsive feeding—offering when cues appear and pausing when fullness shows—keeps intake in a healthy range without strict schedules.
Portioning Bottles Without Guesswork
When you need bottles, start from the daily range and divide by expected feeds. Two quick methods keep things simple and avoid waste.
Method 1: Body-Weight Rule For Formula
Multiply baby’s weight in pounds by 2.5 to estimate a 24-hour total, then divide by the expected number of feeds.
| Baby Weight | Rule-Of-Thumb Daily Total | Example Bottle Size |
|---|---|---|
| 6 lb | ~15 oz/day | 8 feeds → ~2 oz |
| 8 lb | ~20 oz/day | 8 feeds → ~2.5 oz |
| 10 lb | ~25 oz/day | 8 feeds → ~3 oz |
| 12 lb | ~30 oz/day | 8 feeds → ~3.5–4 oz |
Method 2: Average Intake For Expressed Milk
Plan around 20–30 oz per day in the first month and about 25 oz per day once feeding is well established. Divide by expected feeds to portion bottles: 8 feeds → 2.5–3.5 oz; 10 feeds → 2–3 oz. Store several small bottles instead of one big one to cut waste and make mid-feed top-ups easy.
What Keeps Intake On Track
Diapers And Weight
By day five, at least six wet diapers and regular yellow stools point to good intake. Most babies regain birth weight by two weeks. After that, steady weekly gains are expected. If weight gain stalls or diaper counts dip, reach out to your pediatrician or a lactation professional.
Position, Latch, And Flow
Comfortable positioning and a deep latch help milk transfer. With bottles, use paced bottle feeding: hold baby more upright, keep the nipple partly filled, and invite pauses to match the gentler flow of breastfeeding. This lowers the chance of overfeeding and supports smooth switching between breast and bottle.
Paced Bottle Steps
Tip the bottle just enough to fill the nipple, pause every minute or so, and switch sides halfway through the feed. Stop when you see relaxed hands or turning away. If baby still wants to suck, offer non-nutritive sucking or another soothing method instead of automatically refilling the bottle.
Night Feeds
In the first weeks, many babies need at least one feed overnight. Long sleep blocks can reduce overall intake. If your newborn is sleeping past four to five hours and missing feeds, wake for a feed until your clinician says longer stretches are fine.
Why The Same Baby Eats Different Amounts Day To Day
Daily totals are not identical, even with the same baby. Several levers nudge the numbers up or down, and most are normal.
Growth Spurts
Short bursts of rapid growth can trigger a day or two of extra feeds. Expect closer spacing at the breast or bigger bottles, then a return to baseline.
Cluster Feeding
Many babies bunch evening feeds. This can look like many small sessions in a row. It is a common pattern and often settles as sleep stretches improve.
Stomach Capacity And Digestion
A newborn stomach expands across the first weeks. Early on, tiny volumes empty fast, so intake is small and frequent. As capacity rises, feeds grow and spacing lengthens.
Flow Preferences
Nipple hole size changes how fast milk arrives. A fast flow can lead to fast finishing and extra ounces. A slower, paced approach helps babies self-regulate.
Temperament And Soothing
Some babies seek the breast for calming, not hunger. Offering extra burp breaks, movement, or contact can meet that need without overshooting the day’s total.
Safe Prep And Storage Basics
Use clean hands, clean parts, and the mixing directions on the formula label. Once a bottle touches the mouth, use it within an hour and throw out leftovers. Freshly pumped milk keeps about four hours at room temperature, about four days in the fridge, and longer in the freezer; small 2–4 oz portions cut waste. Thawed milk stays in the fridge up to 24 hours and should not be refrozen.
Quick Storage Times
Room temp up to about four hours; fridge about four days; standard freezer best by six months and acceptable up to a year; thawed milk in the fridge up to a day. Keep bottles and pump parts washed, rinsed well, and air-dried between sessions. Label stored milk with the date and rotate older portions forward.
Practical Tips For Calm Feeding Days
- Lead with cues: offer when you see early hunger signs and pause at fullness signs.
- Use small bottles: 2–4 oz portions reduce waste and match newborn needs.
- Burp breaks: frequent pauses help comfort and may prevent fast over-intake from a quick flow.
- Skin-to-skin: boosts feeding cues and can steady the daily rhythm during fussy spells.
- Track lightly: brief logs of diapers, feeds, and rough volumes can be useful in the first weeks, then fade them as patterns settle.
- Mind the nipple flow: if bottles finish in minutes or baby gulps, try a slower flow and paced technique.
When To Call Your Care Team
Get timely care if any of these appear: fewer than six wets after day five, dark urine, unusually sleepy feeds, repeated coughing or gagging at the bottle, hard stools, projectile vomit, or no weight gain after the second week. Also call if intake jumps past 32 oz/day with formula or dips far below the ranges above for more than a day.