Newborn formula feeding: 1–3 oz per feed in week 1, building to about 16–24 oz total per day by weeks 2–4, based on hunger cues.
Your baby’s tummy is tiny, feeds are short, and needs shift fast. Parents often ask the same thing: how many ounces of formula should a newborn drink? There’s a steady pattern most babies follow, with wide room for normal. This guide keeps it simple and practical so you can relax and feed with confidence.
How Many Ounces Of Formula For A Newborn — Daily Guide
A handy rule helps with planning: many babies take roughly 2½ ounces of formula per pound of body weight across 24 hours. That lines up with common clinic charts, and it flexes for sleepy days or growth spurts. Newborns also spread intake through many small feeds, then stretch the gaps as the month goes on.
| Age | Ounces Per Feed | Daily Total Range |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1–2 | 0.5–1 oz (15–30 mL) | 6–12 oz (180–360 mL) |
| Day 3–4 | 0.5–1.5 oz (15–45 mL) | 8–14 oz (240–420 mL) |
| End Of Week 1 | 1.5–3 oz (45–90 mL) | 12–18 oz (360–540 mL) |
| Weeks 2–3 | 2–3.5 oz (60–105 mL) | 16–22 oz (480–660 mL) |
| Week 4 | 2.5–4 oz (75–120 mL) | 16–24 oz (480–720 mL) |
These ranges fit the pattern many newborns show: small, frequent feeds at first, then larger bottles as the month progresses. If your baby wants a little more at one feed and less at the next, that’s normal. Let your baby lead, and use these numbers as a planning anchor, not a rigid target.
What Changes Across The First Month
Week 1: Intake starts tiny. Stomach size rises from teaspoon volumes to a couple of ounces by the end of the week. Many babies feed every two to three hours around the clock. Pace is steady, with brief pauses for burps.
Weeks 2–3: Bottles grow to 2–3.5 ounces. Some babies give a longer stretch at night. Daytime feeds still come often. Watch diapers and mood: good output and calm spells between feeds tell you the volume is on track.
Week 4: Many reach 3–4 ounces per bottle. Feeds start to space out, with three to four hour gaps common. If weight gain is steady and diapers are plentiful, the total intake is usually right for that baby.
Reading Hunger And Fullness Cues
Cue led feeding keeps intake right for the day. Early hunger signs include stirring, lip smacking, turning the head, and hand to mouth. Late signs include crying and tight fists. Try to start when you see early signs so the latch on the bottle is relaxed.
Fullness cues show up as slower sucks, turning away, relaxing the hands, or falling asleep near the end. If your baby eases off or pushes the nipple out, stop, even if a small amount remains. Offering a bit more is fine when you see clear hunger cues again.
Bottle Setup, Pace, And Burping
Pick a nipple flow that lets your baby suck, swallow, and breathe in a calm rhythm. If milk pours fast and coughing starts, drop to a slower flow. Hold the bottle almost horizontal during paced feeds so your baby controls the flow. Short pauses help babies notice fullness.
Gas happens. Breaks for a quick burp mid feed and at the end can help. If a feed ran long and your baby seems fussy near the finish, pause, burp, then offer the rest if hunger cues return.
Safe Prep, Storage, And Warming
Powder simply needs careful mixing and clean bottles. Use water that is safe for drinking, follow the scoop directions on the tin, and cap the bottle right away. Warm under running warm water or in a bowl of warm water if you like; skip the microwave. Full guidance with pictures is here: CDC prep and storage.
| Situation | Time Limit | What To Do |
|---|---|---|
| Prepared, not yet started | Use within 2 hours | Then refrigerate up to 24 hours |
| Feeding has started | Use within 1 hour | Discard leftovers after 1 hour |
| Refrigerated bottle | Use within 24 hours | Warm gently if desired |
These time limits keep bacteria growth low and your baby safer. If power is out or the fridge is full, mix fresh bottles right before feeds. Ready-to-feed liquid is handy when safe water is a worry.
Sample Days By Weight
The daily rule of thumb helps translate body size to intake. Here are sample totals using the 2½ ounces per pound estimate. Split each total over many feeds, then watch your baby’s cues to adjust.
6 Pounds (2.7 kg)
Total in 24 hours: about 15 ounces. That might look like eight feeds of 1.5–2 ounces early in week 1, then six feeds of 2.5 ounces by week 4.
7 Pounds (3.2 kg)
Total in 24 hours: about 17–18 ounces. Early on, that may be nine small feeds. Later in the month, five to six feeds near 3 ounces can fit well.
8 Pounds (3.6 kg)
Total in 24 hours: about 20 ounces. Many babies reach 3–4 ounces per bottle by the end of the month, with three to four hour gaps between daytime feeds.
Common Snags And Simple Fixes
Lots Of Spit-Up
Try slightly smaller, more frequent feeds for a day or two. Keep your baby upright for 20–30 minutes after bottles. Check nipple flow; a slower flow can help reduce air swallowing.
Gassy Periods
Paced feeds, a mid-feed burp, and a relaxed latch often help. Tummy time while awake and gentle bicycle legs can also ease bubbles.
Constipation Concerns
Use the scoop in the tin as directed and do not add extra powder. Extra powder makes formula too strong for little kidneys and can slow stools. If stools are hard, talk with your baby’s doctor for advice.
How Big Bottles Fit With Night Sleep
Some newborns give one longer stretch at night by week 3 or 4, while others wake often. Either pattern can be healthy. If a long stretch means a skipped bottle, daytime feeds usually rise to meet daily needs. A small top-off before the long stretch can help if evenings run fussy.
When The Numbers Shift
Growth spurts often land around week 2 and again near week 3 or 4. You may see a cluster of feeds, then a return to the usual rhythm. Illness, heat, or extra activity can also nudge intake up or down for a day. The 24-hour total across several days tells the story better than a single bottle.
Two quick checks help you stay on track day to day. First, diapers. By the end of the first week, most babies wet often and pass soft stools. Patterns vary, yet steady wet diapers across the day usually pair with enough intake. Second, growth. Weigh-ins at routine visits show the longer view; your clinic team watches the curve, not a single day. If diapers drop off or your baby seems hard to wake for feeds, call your pediatrician. If your baby drains every bottle and still roots right away, offer a bit more per feed or add an extra feed. Small tweaks based on cues usually settle the rhythm again. If worry lingers, ring clinic staff and share feeding log.
Formula Types And Bottle Notes
Standard cow’s-milk based formula suits many babies. Sensitive blends or hydrolyzed options can help when a baby has frequent fussing, rash, or unusual stools. Any change should be steady, mixing old and new over a few days to help the tummy adjust. Bottle shapes and nipples vary; a good fit is one that keeps the latch soft and the rhythm smooth.
Trusted Intake Rules At A Glance
Two simple guides line up with what many parents see day to day. The first is the 2½ ounces per pound per day pattern. The second is the common range of 16–24 ounces total by the end of the first month for many full-term babies. You can read more on typical schedules here: AAP HealthyChildren.
Feeding Rhythm That Lowers Stress
Plan feeds, then stay flexible. Keep the bottle stops calm, dim, and unhurried. Hold your baby close, switch sides now and then, and pause for small burps. Track feeds and diapers for a few days on paper or an app. Patterns appear fast, and small tweaks get you right back on cue led feeding.
Safety Reminders You Can Count On
Mixing
Wash hands, use clean bottles, and follow the scoop level shown on the label. Stir or swirl to blend; shaking hard can whip in bubbles.
Warming
If you warm, use warm water baths or running warm water. Test on the inside of your wrist; warm is fine, hot is not.
Discarding
Throw away any leftovers one hour after your baby starts drinking. Fresh formula each time keeps risk down.
Newborn Formula Ounces: Quick Recap
In the first weeks, most newborns take 1–3 ounces per feed, then move toward 3–4 ounces by the end of month one. Across 24 hours, totals commonly land between 16 and 24 ounces, with the 2½ ounces per pound rule helping you size the day. Let your baby set the pace, stick with safe prep, and adjust as growth brings new rhythms.