For newborn formula, offer 1–2 oz every 2–3 hours at first, rising to 3–4 oz per feed by 2–4 weeks; daily intake shouldn’t exceed 32 oz.
Newborn feeding feels like a riddle until the numbers click. The goal isn’t to hit the same ounce at every bottle. Your baby’s cues, weight, and age steer the plan, while a few guardrails keep things safe and steady.
See the AAP guidance and the CDC’s note on early intake in how much and how often.
Newborn Formula Ounces: Days To Weeks 1–4
In the first days, most newborns take about 1 to 2 ounces per feed, every 2 to 3 hours. That pace gives room for tiny stomachs and steady digestion.
Across the first month, intake rises. Many babies reach 3 to 4 ounces per feed by weeks two to four, with feeds often spaced about every 3 to 4 hours as nights stretch a bit.
| Age | Ounces Per Feed | Feeds/24 Hours (Typical) |
|---|---|---|
| First 24–48 Hours | 0.5–1 oz | 8–12 |
| Days 3–4 | 1–2 oz | 8–12 |
| Week 1 | 1.5–3 oz | 8–10 |
| Weeks 2–3 | 2–3 oz | 7–9 |
| Week 4 | 3–4 oz | 6–8 |
Daily totals vary by baby. A common ceiling is 32 ounces across 24 hours; if bottles keep reaching the bottom past that mark, check in with your pediatrician.
Newborn Formula Ounces Per Day: Practical Ranges
One simple yardstick: about 2½ ounces of formula per pound of body weight across a day. That’s an average, not a quota. A 7-pound baby often lands near 17 to 18 ounces a day; an 8-pound baby near 20 ounces.
Use the number as a ballpark, then follow cues. If bottles empty fast and lips keep smacking, add a bit. If a bottle drags and your baby turns away, stop there. The 32-ounce cap still applies.
Reading Hunger And Fullness Cues
Early hunger shows up as stirring, rooting, hand-to-mouth moves, or soft grunts. Crying tends to come later. Fullness looks like slower sucking, relaxed hands, sealed lips, or turning the head away.
Match the bottle to those signals. Offer, pause, and let your baby set the pace. Paced bottle feeding also helps your newborn control intake and reduces gulping air.
When To Wake For A Feed
During the first weeks, long snoozes can crowd out needed feeds. If sleep stretches past 4 to 5 hours, wake, offer a bottle, and then settle back in. Once weight gain tracks well and your pediatrician is happy with the curve, longer night runs are fine.
Signs You’re Overdoing The Bottle
Watch for frequent spit-ups, gassy discomfort, or fussing right after feeds. Very fast bottles can nudge intake higher than needed, especially with wide-open nipples.
Try slower-flow nipples, keep the bottle more horizontal, and give burp breaks. If volumes stay high and discomfort follows, ask your pediatrician for a quick check.
Feeding Frequency And Pace
Most newborns feed 8 to 12 times a day early on. As intake per bottle climbs, many settle near every 3 to 4 hours. Some days bring cluster feeds; other days stretch out. That swing is normal.
Pacing helps keep things smooth. Hold the bottle so milk doesn’t free-flow, pause every few minutes, and switch sides in your arms. Your baby stays in charge of the stop-start rhythm.
Why Bottles Differ Across A Day
Ounces aren’t identical from morning to night. Evening bottles can bunch up, especially during growth spurts. Morning bottles may look a touch smaller after longer sleep.
Flow, mood, and temperature play a part. A fast nipple can flood a feed. A cool bottle can slow the start. A calm, upright cuddle often keeps the pace steady and reduces air intake.
Evening Cluster Feeds
Late-day fussiness can come with short, close-together bottles. Keep the same total daily range in mind and spread ounces across several smaller feeds if that settles things.
Morning Stretch
After a longer stretch of sleep, the first bottle may move quicker. Offer a burp break halfway, then let your baby call the stop.
Growth Spurts To Expect
Short bursts around weeks two to three, then again near six weeks, can bump intake for a few days. Follow cues, keep burp breaks, and slide back toward your usual range once the rush passes.
Diaper And Scale Checks
From a few days after birth, many babies wet around six diapers a day with pale yellow urine. Steady weight gain on the growth chart tells you the plan is working. Bring bottle notes to visits if you want a second look at volumes.
Weight-Based Quick Reference (Use With The 32 Oz Cap)
| Baby Weight | Daily Range | Per-Feed Guide* |
|---|---|---|
| 6 lb (2.7 kg) | 15–18 oz/day | 2–3 oz (8 feeds) |
| 7 lb (3.2 kg) | 17–20 oz/day | 2–3 oz (8 feeds) |
| 8 lb (3.6 kg) | 20–22 oz/day | 2.5–3 oz (8 feeds) |
| 9 lb (4.1 kg) | 22–24 oz/day | 2.5–3 oz (8 feeds) |
| 10 lb (4.5 kg) | 25 oz/day | 3 oz (8 feeds) |
*Per-feed math spreads the daily range over about eight feeds. Some babies take smaller, more frequent bottles.
Bottle Size, Mixing, And Storage Tips
Pick bottle sizes that match the stage. Tiny bottles fit the first two weeks well; 4- to 5-ounce bottles suit weeks three to four; bigger bottles can wait.
When mixing powder, measure cool water first, then add the scoop level to the line. Shake well, watch for clumps, and follow the label for safe storage times.
Prepared formula sitting out should be used within two hours, and within one hour once feeding begins; stash untouched bottles in the fridge within that two-hour window and use within 24 hours. See the CDC steps for preparation and storage. The FDA also reminds parents to toss leftovers from a used bottle and skip the microwave for warming; see their formula safety page.
Special Cases: Preterm, Low Birth Weight, Reflux, And More
Preterm or low-birth-weight babies often follow custom plans. Volumes may start smaller, but feeds can be more frequent. Your care team will set targets for growth, and may suggest fortified formula or higher-calorie mixes.
If reflux, cow’s-milk protein allergy, or persistent constipation shows up, bring notes to the next visit: ounces, timing, diaper counts, and symptoms. That record speeds up solutions and helps choose the next step.
Quick Recap
Start with 1 to 2 ounces every 2 to 3 hours in the first days. By weeks two to four, many bottles land near 3 to 4 ounces, spaced about every 3 to 4 hours.
Use about 2½ ounces per pound per day as a guide across 24 hours, stay responsive to cues, and keep the daily cap at 32 ounces. With those rails, you’ll feed with confidence while your baby grows right on time.