On day 1, most newborns take about 2–10 mL (0.07–0.34 oz) of colostrum per feed, rising to 30–60 mL (1–2 oz) by days 3–4.
Colostrum is thick, nutrient dense, and made in tiny batches. Newborn bellies are small, so ounces stay low at first, then step up fast as milk transitions. You don’t need big bottles or long sessions to meet early needs; steady, responsive feeds get the job done.
Newborn Colostrum Ounces Per Feed: Day-By-Day Guide
Numbers below reflect common intake ranges drawn from respected clinical guidance. Each baby brings a different pace, so use your baby’s cues and diapers to steer you.
Typical Colostrum Intake Per Feed And Per Day
| Age | Per Feed (mL | oz) | Approx Total In 24 h (mL | oz)* |
|---|---|---|
| 0–24 h | 2–10 mL | 0.07–0.34 oz | 16–120 mL | 0.5–4 oz |
| 24–48 h | 5–15 mL | 0.17–0.5 oz | 40–180 mL | 1.3–6 oz |
| 48–72 h | 15–30 mL | 0.5–1 oz | 120–360 mL | 4–12 oz |
| 72–96 h | 30–60 mL | 1–2 oz | 240–720 mL | 8–24 oz |
*Totals reflect eight to twelve feeds per day. The per-feed ranges come from hospital breastfeeding guidance that uses small, colostrum-sized volumes in the first days.
How Many Ounces Is A Teaspoon Of Colostrum?
One teaspoon equals 5 mL, which is about 0.17 oz. That line matches what many hospital guides describe when they say a teaspoon per feed in the first days is normal. When you hear “drops,” think small teaspoons, not sips from a bottle.
How Often Should A Newborn Feed In The First Days
Most babies feed at least eight to twelve times in twenty-four hours. Day one can feel like many short latch attempts. By days three to four, sessions grow longer as volume rises. Night feeds matter as well since milk making ramps up with frequent removal.
Why The Low Ounce Counts Still Meet Needs
Colostrum is concentrated. Per ounce, it carries more protein and protective factors than later milk. The gut coating effect is strong, and the laxative action helps clear meconium. Small, frequent feeds deliver steady energy without stretching the stomach.
Reading Hunger And Fullness Cues
Watch for early cues: stirring, rooting, tongue flicks, hands near mouth, soft grunts. Aim to latch before crying starts. Signs of good intake include rhythmic swallows, relaxed hands, and a calm body after a feed. Sleepy stretches alone aren’t proof of fullness; pair what you see with diaper counts.
Diaper And Weight Patterns To Track
Wet diapers start low and then climb: one to two on day one, then two to three on day two, and three to four by day three. By day four to five, you’re often seeing six or more wets. Stools shift from dark meconium to greenish, then mustard yellow. A small weight dip is expected in the first days; a skilled check is needed only when loss or output flags raise concern.
When The Numbers Look Low
If latch is shallow, transfer drops. If baby is sleepy from birth meds or a long labor, transfers can drop too. Skin-to-skin, frequent attempts, and hand expression between feeds can lift intake. Ask for hands-on latch help early in the stay and again after discharge if you need it.
Pumping Or Hand Expressing Colostrum
Some babies need a little extra help getting started. Hand expression often works better than a pump in the first forty-eight hours because colostrum moves in drops. Express onto a spoon or into a small syringe and feed right away. Those teaspoons count toward intake and also soften a firm breast so baby can latch.
Managing Expectations For The First Four Days
- Day 0–1: tiny amounts per feed, many tries, lots of cuddling.
- Day 1–2: volumes rise a little; cluster feeding is common.
- Day 2–3: per-feed amounts step up; more audible swallows.
- Day 3–4: milk shifts toward a lighter look and bigger ounces.
What If You’re Bottling Colostrum?
If you’re feeding expressed colostrum, keep bottle portions small to match normal per-feed amounts. Use slow flow and pace the feed: hold the bottle horizontal, let baby pull pauses, and switch sides halfway through. Stop when baby relaxes, even if a little is left. Small bottles lower waste and help you read cues.
Quick mL-To-Ounce Conversions You’ll Use A Lot
5 mL is 0.17 oz; 10 mL is 0.34 oz; 15 mL is 0.5 oz; 30 mL is 1 oz; 60 mL is 2 oz. If doing mental math, divide mL by thirty to get ounces. When writing a plan, stick to mL at first since syringes and tiny cups are marked in mL.
When To Call For Extra Help
Reach out the same day if baby has fewer than two wets on day two, fewer than three on day three, or if stools stay dark without moving toward yellow. Other red flags include poor tone, weak sucks, deep jaundice, dry mouth, or no interest in feeding. Call your pediatrician and ask for a hands-on latch check from a trained supporter.
What The Guidelines Say
Large teaching hospitals use small, stepped volumes during the first ninety-six hours. One ABM Protocol #3 lists 2–10 mL per feed in the first day, 5–15 mL in day two, 15–30 mL in day three, and 30–60 mL by day four. NHS colostrum guidance also describes teaspoon-sized feeds at the start and recommends frequent, cue-led sessions across the day and night. Those two threads line up: tiny per-feed amounts, many chances to practice, and a clear rise in ounces as milk transitions.
Sample 24-Hour Rhythm In The First Days
This is one possible pattern, not a schedule. Early morning: short latch on both sides. Mid-morning: latch plus a few minutes of hand expression. Lunch hour: skin-to-skin and a longer feed. Afternoon: a couple of quick feeds as baby catnaps. Evening: cluster feeding with many short latches. Overnight: two or three feeds, then everyone sleeps.
Practical Tips That Keep Intake On Track
Start skin-to-skin soon after birth and keep using it. Aim for many brief latches rather than waiting for one long session. Switch sides when sucks slow. If baby dozes in the first minutes, try breast compressions to restart swallows. Set an overnight plan so feeds continue while you rest: dim lights, keep baby nearby, and respond to stirring.
Common Myths About Ounces And Newborns
“Big babies need big bottles.” Size at birth does not change day one stomach volume much. “Milk is low until it comes in.” Colostrum is rich and tailored to early needs. “Crying always means hunger.” Newborns cry for many reasons; watch early cues, not just tears. “You must time each side.” Duration varies; effective transfer beats a strict clock.
Safety Notes On Storage And Handling
If you express, refrigerate colostrum you won’t use right away. Label small volumes, since waste hurts morale. Use clean spoons, cups, or tiny syringes. Warm by rolling the container between your hands or standing it in a warm water bath; avoid microwaves. If your baby has medical issues or was born preterm, follow the plan set by your care team.
Simple Troubleshooting Checklist
- Sore nipples: check latch depth and body positioning.
- Sleepy baby: add skin-to-skin and gentle breast compressions.
- Firm breasts: hand express a little before latching.
- Clicking sounds: check mouth seal and body alignment.
- Limited output: track every feed and diaper for a day and ask for a weight check.
Why Ounce Charts Should Never Replace Your Baby’s Cues
Charts teach ranges; your baby provides live data. A settled baby with steady swallows and rising diaper counts is doing well even if the ounce math looks small. If diapers stall, color doesn’t shift, or weight loss climbs, get skilled help and adjust the plan.
Colostrum-Sized Supplement Guide
| Age | Offer Per Feed (mL | oz) | What To Use |
|---|---|---|
| 0–24 h | 2–10 mL | 0.07–0.34 oz | Expressed colostrum; if not available, donor milk; formula only when needed |
| 24–48 h | 5–15 mL | 0.17–0.5 oz | Same order of options; watch diapers and weight trend |
| 48–72 h | 15–30 mL | 0.5–1 oz | Keep baby practicing at the breast; match volumes to cues |
| 72–96 h | 30–60 mL | 1–2 oz | If larger top-ups are used, add pumping after feeds to protect supply |
Key Takeaways For Parents
Small teaspoons in the first twenty-four hours are normal. By days three to four, per-feed amounts look more like one to two ounces. Frequent, comfortable breastfeeding is the goal. Tools like hand expression, breast compressions, and skin-to-skin keep things moving while supply builds. When supplements are needed, keep volumes small and keep baby practicing at the breast.
A Note On Variations
Some newborns need a different start. A late preterm baby, a baby with jaundice, or a baby born after labor may tire fast and transfer less per session. A mother after a caesarean, with diabetes, or with delayed milk shift may see slower ounce rises. In these cases, stay on cue-led feeding, add hand expression, and use small, colostrum-sized top-ups when advised. Keep tracking wets, stools, and weight, asking for hands-on help until feeds feel smooth each day.