Newborn expressed milk: ~0.1–0.3 oz/feed day 1, 0.2–0.5 day 2, 0.5–1 day 3, 1–2 day 4, then 2–3 oz/feed by weeks 2–3.
What This Question Really Asks
You’re asking how much expressed breast milk a brand-new baby usually takes at a sitting, and what that looks like across the first month. Two numbers matter: ounces per feed and total in a day. Early on, tiny feeds happen often. By the end of week three, feeds get larger and spacing stretches. Most newborns cue 8–12 times per 24 hours. Watch the baby, not the clock, and build bottle portions around normal stomach capacity for each stage.
Newborn Ounces Of Expressed Milk: Real-World Ranges
In the first four days, intake rises fast as stomach capacity grows. The figures below reflect common volumes per feed for healthy, term babies offered expressed milk. Use them as a starting point and match to hunger and satiety cues.
| Age | Per Feed (oz / mL) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| First 24 hours | ~0.1–0.3 oz (2–10 mL) | Small, thick colostrum; frequent sips; 8–12 feeds |
| 24–48 hours | ~0.2–0.5 oz (5–15 mL) | Still frequent; cluster feeds common |
| 48–72 hours | ~0.5–1 oz (15–30 mL) | Milk volume rising; baby still feeds often |
| 72–96 hours | ~1–2 oz (30–60 mL) | Mature milk coming in; pace feeds to baby’s rhythm |
| End of week 1 | ~1.5–2 oz (45–60 mL) | Apricot-size capacity; steady wet and dirty diapers |
| Weeks 2–3 | ~2–3 oz (60–90 mL) | Many babies reach ~20–25 oz across 24 hours |
| Around 1 month | ~3–5 oz (80–150 mL) | Per-day intake levels off, feed size varies |
Why These Numbers Work
They mirror normal stomach size and the natural climb from colostrum to mature milk. Bottle portions that match capacity help avoid overfeeding. Pace the flow and pause for burps so the baby can feel fullness.
Daily Totals: What Parents See
By day seven, many babies take roughly 9–20 oz in 24 hours. By the end of week three, totals often land near 20–25 oz. Some days run lighter, some heavier. Growth, wake windows, and cluster stretches can nudge numbers up or down.
Hunger And Fullness Cues To Watch
Hunger Cues
- Rooting, mouth opening, lip smacking
- Hands to mouth, gentle fussing
- Active, wide-awake movements
Fullness Cues
- Slower sucks and longer pauses
- Relaxed hands and body, milk dribbles from lips
- Turning away from the nipple
End the bottle when fullness cues show up. For the next feed, you can offer the same amount or adjust by a half ounce based on how that last feed went.
Portion Bottles Without Waste
Store milk in small amounts so you can build a bottle that fits the moment. The CDC breast milk storage page suggests 2–4 oz portions for storage and prep. That gives flexibility for newborn feeds that swing between tiny top-ups and fuller sessions.
When stocking the fridge, keep a mix of 1 oz and 2 oz bags or bottles. You can combine after warming and swirling if needed. If the baby leaves milk in the bottle, use the rest within two hours or discard it.
How Often To Offer Expressed Milk
Plan on 8–12 feeds per day in the first weeks. Some feeds bunch together in the evening. Others come after short naps. A sleepy newborn may need gentle wake-and-offer periods to reach enough intake across the day. Diapers tell the story: from day five onward, expect at least six wet diapers and regular soft stools.
Build The Bottle: Flow, Pace, And Position
Choose A Slow Flow
Pick a slow-flow nipple so the baby works for the milk, similar to nursing at the breast. That supports self-regulation and helps match the per-feed ranges above.
Pace The Feed
- Hold the bottle more horizontal so milk doesn’t pour.
- Let the baby pause; tip the bottle down during breaks.
- Aim for 15–20 minutes for many feeds.
Position For Comfort
Hold the baby upright and snug, switch sides halfway, and take one or two burp breaks. This rhythm helps the baby notice fullness before the bottle is empty.
Storage And Warming: Quick Reference
Safe handling keeps every ounce useful. The AAP offers parent-friendly guidance on chilling, freezing, thawing, and warming. See the AAP breast milk storage guidance for a clear chart you can share with caregivers.
| Situation | Portion Or Time | Why It Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Storing fresh milk (fridge) | Use within ~4 days | Best quality and easy access for daily feeds |
| Freezing milk for later | 2–4 oz per container | Right-size bottles and cut waste |
| Serving a bottle | Room temp or gently warmed | Baby comfort; swirl to mix separated fat |
Sample Day At Weeks 2–3
Here’s a plain-English sketch that lands near ~22–24 oz across a day. Your baby may take more feeds with smaller portions or fewer feeds with a little more in each bottle.
- 06:00 — 2.5 oz
- 09:00 — 2.5 oz
- 11:30 — 2.0 oz
- 14:00 — 2.5 oz
- 16:30 — 2.0 oz
- 19:00 — 2.5 oz
- 21:30 — 2.5 oz
- 01:00 — 2.5 oz
- 03:30 — 2.0 oz
If cluster time hits in the evening, split one of the 2.5 oz feeds into two smaller bottles an hour apart. If a longer stretch shows up overnight, the next daytime feed may run on the higher end of the range.
Exclusive Pumping: Hitting Your Stride
Pump 8–10 times per day during the first weeks, including one session between midnight and dawn. Short sessions add up. Many parents see a steady daily output by the third or fourth week. If output dips, add a brief “power” block: pump, rest 10 minutes, pump again. Skin-to-skin time and a photo or video of your baby can boost let-down for some parents.
When Feeds Run Low
Check latch if some feeds still happen at the breast. For bottles, try a slower nipple, more pacing, and frequent burp breaks. Offer another half ounce if the baby still cues after a pause. Track diapers and weight trends. If intake stays low or weight gain stalls, talk with your baby’s doctor for a tailored plan.
When Feeds Run High
Fast flow can lead to chugging, gas, and spit-up. Switch to a slower nipple and add more pauses. Keep the bottle angled so the baby controls the pace. If the baby barrels through a larger bottle and then spits up, scale back the next bottle by a half ounce and watch cues.
How Caregivers Can Help
Share A Simple Card
- Current per-feed target (match the table above)
- Signs the baby is hungry and signs the baby is full
- Paced-bottle steps and nipple size to use
- How to warm and swirl milk; where the storage guide hangs
Set Up The Fridge
Group bottles by time of day and size. Keep backup 1 oz portions for top-ups. Label date and volume. First in, first out.
Answers To Common “What Ifs”
Baby Wants Tiny Sips All Day
That pattern can be normal while learning. Offer smaller bottles more often and build toward the ranges in the table over a few days.
Baby Sleeps Past A Planned Feed
Offer the next bottle on waking. If several naps roll long, add a gentle wake-and-offer feed in the early evening to meet the day’s needs.
Baby Spits Up After Every Bottle
Slow the flow, add pauses, and hold upright after feeds. If spit-up stays large or forceful, call the clinic for guidance.
Quick Recap For Busy Parents
- First day: sips of ~0.1–0.3 oz per feed; by day four, ~1–2 oz
- End of week one: ~1.5–2 oz per feed
- Weeks 2–3: ~2–3 oz per feed; many reach ~20–25 oz per day
- Store 2–4 oz portions; pace bottles; stop at fullness cues
- 8–12 feeds per day is common in the early weeks
You set the bottle to the baby, not the other way around. Follow cues, keep portions right-sized, and adjust a half ounce at a time. That’s newborn feeding made calm and doable.