Newborn feeds are small: about 1–2 oz per feeding in the first days, rising to 3–4 oz by the end of the first month.
Newborn tummies are tiny, and feeds are short. You’ll see small volumes at first and quick growth over the first weeks. The right amount per feed depends on age, feeding method, and hunger cues. For most healthy, full-term babies, responsive feeding works best: offer often, watch cues, and stop when your baby shows they’re done.
If your baby arrived early, had a low birth weight, or your clinician gave special directions, follow that plan. The guide below suits most full-term newborns in the first month.
How Many Ounces Should A Newborn Drink Per Feed?
During the first days, expect about 1–2 ounces per feeding, with feeds every 2–3 hours. That lines up with guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which suggests starting with small bottles and offering more only if hunger cues continue. By the end of the first month, many babies take 3–4 ounces at a time with longer gaps between feeds.
Breastfed babies often snack more frequently and may take smaller measured volumes from a bottle of expressed milk. Formula-fed babies tend to settle into a steadier rhythm sooner. Both patterns are normal as long as diaper counts and growth look good.
Newborn Feed-By-Feed Guide (First Month)
| Age | Approx Ounces Per Feed | Typical Feeds/24h |
|---|---|---|
| Days 0–3 | 1–2 oz | 8–12 |
| Week 2 | 2–3 oz | 8–10 |
| Weeks 3–4 | 3–4 oz | 6–8 |
These are ballparks, not targets. Offer more if hunger cues persist; pause or end the feed when your baby slows, turns away, or relaxes their hands.
For bottle amounts and pacing in the first days, see the CDC’s guidance on how much infant formula to offer. The American Academy of Pediatrics also outlines a steady rise toward 3–4 ounces by the end of the first month on its page about the amount and schedule of formula feedings.
Breastfed Versus Formula-Fed: Why Ounces Vary
Breast milk volume at a single feed can swing a bit. Cluster feeding, growth spurts, and time of day all play a part. A bottle gives you a number; direct breastfeeding gives you cues. If latching and transfer are going well, diapers and steady weight gain confirm intake even when you don’t see ounces.
Formula is easier to measure, so caregivers often pour set amounts. Use that number as a starting point, not a finish line. Let your baby pause, burp, or stop early. You can always offer a little more.
Hunger And Fullness Cues To Watch
- Early hunger: stirring, rooting, hand-to-mouth, soft coos.
- Active hunger: strong rooting, lip smacking, focused fussing.
- Done for now: slower sucking, relaxed fists, turning away, sleepy body.
Feed on the early side of hunger when you can. Waiting for hard crying can make latching and pacing harder.
Paced Bottle Feeding Keeps Volumes In Check
Paced bottle feeding lets babies set the tempo. It promotes better self-regulation and can curb overfeeding.
Simple Steps
- Hold your baby upright and keep the bottle more horizontal than vertical.
- Touch the nipple to the lip; let your baby draw it in.
- Offer short pauses every few swallows. Tip the bottle down so milk stops flowing, then start again.
- Switch sides midway to mimic breastfeeding and cut down on air intake.
- Stop when your baby shows they’re done, even if milk remains in the bottle.
Right Bottle Size And Flow
Start with two to four ounce bottles during the first month. A slow-flow nipple helps your baby pace the feed and reduces gulping. If milk pours out or your baby coughs and splutters, the flow is likely too fast. If your baby works hard with little milk transfer, try a fresh nipple of the same stage before moving up.
Burping, Gassiness, And Spit-Up
Air in the belly can mimic hunger and push volumes higher than needed. Pause to burp halfway and at the end. Gentle back pats while your baby is upright usually do the trick. Spit-up happens in many healthy babies. Large, frequent vomits, blood, green fluid, or poor weight gain need a call to your pediatrician.
When Feeds Seem Low
Short feeds happen on sleepy days, after shots, or during minor sniffles. Offer more frequent feeds and keep an eye on diapers. If you’re pumping, try smaller bottles more often. If latching feels painful or your baby slips off the breast, ask your pediatrician or an IBCLC for direct help with positioning and transfer.
When Baby Wants More Than The Chart
Some babies ask for another half ounce; others want a full top-off. Offer more in small steps and watch cues. A baby who drains every bottle may need larger starting volumes, a slower nipple, or more pauses. If volumes seem high across the day, check the daily total against the weight-based rule and that 32-ounce cap for formula.
Growth Spurts And Cluster Feeding
Many newborns bunch feeds in the evening or during spurts at about two to three weeks. Expect shorter gaps and a little extra milk across a few hours. This pattern usually settles within a day or two. Keep bottles modest in size, pace them, and build in breaks for burping and cuddles.
Breast Milk Volumes: Pumps And Bottles
When you pump, portion most bottles in two to three ounce sizes during the first month. Smaller bottles waste less if your baby dozes mid-feed. If your freezer stash varies by date, rotate oldest first. Warm gently, swirl to mix the creamy layer, and pitch any leftovers from a feed based on current safe-handling rules from your clinic.
Safety Limits And Red Flags
Across a full day, most formula-fed babies should stay under about 32 ounces unless your pediatrician says otherwise. If your baby seems hungry beyond that, check flow rate, burping, and pacing before increasing bottle size.
Call your clinician if feeds are routinely tiny with poor weight gain, if there’s persistent vomiting, weak suck, long gaps with few wet diapers, or any worry about dehydration.
Daily Intake Math: Quick Check By Weight
A quick rule for formula is about 2.5 ounces of formula per pound of body weight across 24 hours. Use this as a range, not a strict quota.
| Baby Weight (lb) | Approx 24-Hour Total (oz) | Per-Feed Goal* (8 feeds) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 15 | 1.5–2.5 |
| 7 | 17–18 | 2–3 |
| 8 | 20 | 2–3 |
| 9 | 22–23 | 2.5–3.5 |
| 10 | 25 | 3–4 |
*Per-feed examples assume eight feeds; many newborns take more frequent, smaller feeds. Don’t exceed about 32 ounces per day unless advised.
Reading The Whole Picture
Numbers answer one part of the question. Your baby’s state tells the rest. A calm body, easy breathing, and hands that relax near the end of a feed often point to “just right.” Tight fists, a stiff torso, or back arching can point to gas, fast flow, or a need to pause. Wet diapers and steady growth confirm you’re on track.
Sample Day Pattern In The First Month
Here’s a calm, flexible pattern many families use around weeks three to four. Adjust the clock to your home and your baby’s cues.
- 6:30 a.m. — Feed 3–4 oz, diaper, brief awake time.
- 8:30–9:00 a.m. — Feed 3 oz, back to sleep.
- 11:30 a.m. — Feed 3–4 oz, a few minutes of tummy time.
- 2:30 p.m. — Feed 3 oz, nap.
- 5:30 p.m. — Feed 3–4 oz, cuddle, dim lights.
- 8:30 p.m. — Feed 3 oz, bedtime routine.
- 12:30 a.m. — Night feed 3 oz.
- 3:30–4:00 a.m. — Night feed 3 oz.
On growth-spurt days you might see an extra small feed or a bit more per bottle. On sleepy days you might need to wake for feeds so daily intake stays on track.
Practical Tips For A Smoother Start
- Size bottles for now. Two to four ounce bottles reduce waste.
- Pick a slow-flow nipple to help pacing.
- Burp midway and at the end; trapped air can mimic hunger.
- Track diapers. After day four, six or more wets a day usually means intake is headed the right way.
- Protect milk handling. Chill or discard leftovers per safe-storage rules for breast milk or formula.
- Share the plan. Caregivers should follow the same cues and pacing steps.
Troubleshooting Bottle Refusals
Some babies protest new nipples or warmers. Try a different nipple shape, a temperature, or a seat and view. Aim for skin-to-skin time before the feed, then begin with a small amount. If stress rises, pause and snuggle. Gentle practice for a day or two usually helps.
Night Feeds: What’s Normal
Night feeds matter in the first month. Many newborns wake one to three times overnight, drink two to four ounces, and settle again. Keep lights low, change the diaper only if needed, and pace the bottle just as you do during the day.
What To Remember
For a newborn, ounces per feed start small, then climb through the first month. Aim for about 1–2 ounces in the first days and 3–4 ounces by the end of the month, guided by cues and steady growth. Pace bottles, watch diapers, and reach out to your care team if something feels off. You’ve got this.