Most newborns take 1–3 oz (30–90 mL) per feed in week 1, rising to 2–4 oz (60–120 mL) by weeks 2–4, with about 8–12 feeds across 24 hours.
What Newborn Intake Looks Like
In the first days, intake is small but frequent. A newborn’s belly is tiny, so feeds come often. Numbers grow quickly over the first month. Breast milk and formula both meet needs when given on cue.
Across a full day, most babies feed 8–12 times. Early sessions may be short. Others run longer. That pattern shifts as the weeks pass. By the end of month one, many babies finish 3–4 ounces per feed on a 3–4 hour rhythm.
The guide below shows typical ranges by age. Use it as a range, not a target for every feed. If your baby shows hunger again soon, offer more. If they turn away or relax, that feed may be done.
| Age | Per Feed (oz / mL) | Feeds / 24h |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 0.3–0.5 oz (10–15 mL) | 10–12+ |
| Days 2–3 | 0.7–1 oz (20–30 mL) | 10–12+ |
| Days 4–7 | 1–2 oz (30–60 mL) | 8–12 |
| Weeks 2–3 | 2–3 oz (60–90 mL) | 8–12 |
| Weeks 4–5 | 3–4 oz (90–120 mL) | 7–10 |
On day 1, stomach capacity sits near 5–7 mL, or about 0.2 oz. By day 3 it rises to roughly 22–27 mL, close to 1 oz. Near the end of week 1 it reaches 45–60 mL, or about 1.5–2 oz. That small size explains why feeds stack up early on.
How Many Ounces Should A Newborn Eat Per Feeding?
During week 1, a single feed often lands near 1–2 ounces. Some feeds are closer to half an ounce on day one, then grow each day. By weeks 2–4, many babies take 2–4 ounces per feed. That range fits both breastfed and formula-fed babies, though breastfed babies may feed more often.
Breast milk volume over 24 hours stays broadly steady during the first months while fat and energy shift to match needs. Bottle feeds can look larger because flow is steady. Pace bottle feeds and pause to let the baby decide when to stop.
Breast Milk And Bottles: Ounce-To-mL Quick Math
One ounce equals 30 mL. A 2 oz feed equals 60 mL; a 3 oz feed equals 90 mL; a 4 oz feed equals 120 mL. If your pump log lists mL, use those numbers to portion bottles without guesswork.
Breastfed Babies: Typical Intake
Expect 8–12 nursing sessions in 24 hours. Some evenings bring cluster feeds. That is common and often ties to growth spurts. Your baby may feed every 1–3 hours at first, then space out to 2–4 hours.
You will not see ounces with direct nursing, so watch the baby. Rhythmic sucks and swallows, relaxed hands, and drowsy calm after a feed point to good intake. Count diapers too: plenty of wet diapers and several stools after day four signal that milk transfer is going well.
If a newborn is extra sleepy, wake for feeds every 2–3 hours by day and every 4 hours at night until weight gain is steady. A lactation visit can help with latch and transfer if feeds feel painful or output stays low.
Formula-Fed Babies: Typical Intake
Many newborns take 1–2 ounces per feed in the first days, then 2–3 ounces by the end of week one. By month’s end, 3–4 ounces per feed is common. Spacing often settles near every 3–4 hours.
A quick way to check the daily total is this rule of thumb: about 2.5 ounces of formula per pound of body weight each day, up to roughly 32 ounces in 24 hours. Treat it as a ceiling, not a target. Let the baby set the pace.
If bottles empty in minutes, try paced feeding. Hold the bottle more level, add pauses, and switch sides once or twice. That slows the flow and gives time for fullness to register.
Reading Hunger And Fullness Cues
Hunger cues show up before crying. Early cues include stirring, rooting, hand-to-mouth moves, tongue out, or soft sounds. Late cues include crying and a rigid body. Try to start a feed when early cues appear.
- Rooting or turning the head with an open mouth.
- Hands to mouth, lip smacking, or soft fussing.
- Waking and stirring soon after a nap.
Fullness cues include slower sucks, turning away, open hands, relaxed arms, and a sleepy face. If those show up, end the feed and burp. You can always offer more later if cues return.
- Sucks slow and stops on their own.
- Turns head away from breast or bottle.
- Hands relax; body softens; eyes drift closed.
Sample 24-Hour Feeding Rhythm
Every baby is different, yet seeing a sample day can help set expectations. Here is one possible pattern during weeks 2–4 for a baby taking 10 feeds:
- 6:00 a.m. — Feed 3 oz; diaper; back to sleep or short wake window.
- 8:30 a.m. — Feed 3 oz; play; nap.
- 11:00 a.m. — Feed 3 oz; diaper; nap.
- 1:30 p.m. — Feed 3 oz; stroller walk; nap.
- 4:00 p.m. — Feed 3 oz; play; nap.
- 6:00 p.m. — Feed 3 oz; cuddle; short nap.
- 8:00 p.m. — Feed 3 oz; bedtime routine.
- 11:00 p.m. — Feed 3 oz; back to sleep.
- 2:00 a.m. — Feed 2–3 oz; back to sleep.
- 4:30 a.m. — Feed 2–3 oz; back to sleep.
Night stretches shift week by week. Some babies wake more often for a while during growth spurts, then settle again. Responsive feeding keeps intake aligned with needs.
When Intake May Rise Or Dip
Growth spurts often land near weeks 2–3 and again around week 6. Many babies cluster feed during those windows. You may also see extra feeds after vaccines or a busy day.
Temporary dips can show up with a stuffy nose, warm weather, or a sleepy day after birth. Offer more frequent, smaller feeds until usual cues return.
Preterm babies and babies with jaundice may tire sooner. Short, frequent sessions with gentle waking can help. Follow the care plan from your baby’s clinician.
Diapers, Weight, And Red Flags
Wet diapers start at 1–2 per day in the first days and rise to at least 5–6 after day four. Stool patterns vary, yet by day four most newborns pass several stools daily. Growth checks at clinic visits confirm intake over time.
Call your baby’s doctor if you see fewer than 5 wets after day four, dark urine, no stool for more than a day in week one, weak feeding with poor wakefulness, fast breathing during feeds, or repeated vomiting. A weight drop that keeps going past day five also needs a check.
If milk supply or latch feels off, ask for hands-on help. If bottles lead to hard stools or rash, switch type only after a chat with the clinic team. Any choking, blue lips, or limpness needs urgent care.
Second Table Intro
If you like quick math, the chart below uses the 2.5 oz per pound guide to estimate a full-day total, capped at 32 oz. The last column shows a rough per-feed amount if you offer 10 feeds in a day. Pick the next weight row if your baby sits between weights.
| Weight | Daily Total (oz) | Per Feed (10 feeds) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 lb | ~15 oz | ~1.5 oz |
| 7 lb | ~17.5 oz | ~1.8 oz |
| 8 lb | ~20 oz | ~2.0 oz |
| 9 lb | ~22.5 oz | ~2.3 oz |
| 10 lb | ~25 oz | ~2.5 oz |
| 12+ lb | Cap near 32 oz | ~3.0+ oz |
Practical Tips For Smooth Feeding
Skin-to-skin time boosts feeding cues and keeps babies calm. Try it before feeds.
Aim for a deep latch: tummy to tummy, nose to nipple, wide mouth, more areola below than above. If pain lasts past the first minute, break the seal and relatch.
If using bottles, choose a slow-flow nipple and keep the bottle level. Pause every few minutes for a burp. Share night duties with a partner to protect rest.
Quick Recap
Week 1 feeds are small and frequent—often 1–2 ounces per session. By weeks 2–4, many babies take 2–4 ounces. Across a day, expect around 8–12 feeds now today.
Formula offers a simple daily check: about 2.5 ounces per pound per day, with a soft ceiling near 32 ounces. Watch your baby, not the bottle. Cues, diapers, and growth tell the real story.
Troubleshooting Common Feeding Snags
Sleepy Baby
Warm babies love to snooze. Try skin-to-skin, a gentle diaper change, and a tickle to the feet to spark alertness. Offer both breasts each session, switching sides when sucks slow.
Spit-Up And Gas
Small spit-ups are common. Keep feeds upright and burp once or twice. If spit-ups are forceful, green, or tied to poor weight gain, call the clinic. For bottle feeds, a slower nipple and paced style can ease air intake.
Paced Feeding How-To
Paced Bottle Steps
Hold the baby upright. Keep the bottle horizontal so milk fills only the nipple, not the whole neck. Let the baby draw in the nipple. Count six to eight swallows, then tip the bottle down for a short pause. Switch sides midway. Stop when cues say the baby is done, even if milk remains.
Pumped Milk Portions
Many nursing parents offer 2–4 oz bottles of expressed milk in the early months. Match bottle size to the time since the last feed and your baby’s cues, not the freezer stash.