Newborn milk intake starts tiny and climbs fast: think about 1–2 ounces per feed in the first days, moving toward 3–4 ounces by the end of the first month.
Those early feeds can feel like guesswork. One session looks short, the next feels endless, and the bottle or breast seems to be in play around the clock. That’s normal. A newborn’s stomach is small, appetite grows quickly, and patterns shift week by week. You’ll see short, frequent feeds at first, then slightly larger amounts with longer gaps.
There’s no single number that fits every baby. Ranges help you set a sensible starting point, then your baby’s cues fine-tune the plan. Use the age-based table below for a quick overview, then read the sections that follow for practical tips on daily totals, feed spacing, and signs that your baby is hungry or full.
Newborn Milk Ounces By Age (First Month)
| Age | Per Feed (oz / mL) | Feeds In 24 Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Birth–Day 1 | About 1 oz (≈30 mL); some breastfeeds are smaller | 8–12 |
| Days 2–3 | 1–2 oz (30–60 mL) | 8–12 |
| Days 4–6 | 1–2 oz (30–60 mL), edging up | 8–10 |
| End Of Week 1–2 | 2–3 oz (60–90 mL) | 8–10 |
| Weeks 3–4 | 3–4 oz (90–120 mL) | 6–8 |
These ranges line up with pediatric guidance: early on, about 1–2 ounces per feed, then most babies reach 3–4 ounces per feed by the end of the first month. See the American Academy of Pediatrics overview on amounts and schedules for the reference values behind those shifts.
Why The Numbers Rise Quickly
Stomach size and milk supply grow together. In the first day, the stomach holds a small volume, so feeds are tiny and frequent. By day three to five, capacity expands and milk flow improves, so babies take a little more at each session. With that extra room, the gap between feeds often stretches a bit, and the ounces per feed tick upward. That’s the pattern you’ll see across the first month.
Another reason the numbers climb: newborns practice and get better at feeding. Latch improves, suck-swallow rhythm steadies, and transfer per minute increases. You may notice feeds that started as long, steady work become shorter yet more effective. Growth spurts can still bunch several feeds together in the evening, which is expected and temporary.
Newborn Milk Ounces Per Day: What’s Typical?
Daily totals depend on weight, feed spacing, and feeding method. For bottle-fed infants, a widely used rule of thumb is about 2.5 ounces of formula per pound of body weight over 24 hours, with an upper limit near 32 ounces in a day. That guidance comes from the AAP resource on formula amounts. It’s a range, not a target to hit at all costs. Some days land a little below, others a bit above.
Breastfed babies often feed more times in a day, with smaller per-feed volumes early on. Over the first weeks, many settle into roughly 8–12 feeds per day, then drift toward fewer sessions with larger intakes as the month closes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that exclusively breastfed newborns typically nurse every two to four hours, with periods of cluster feeding mixed in; see the CDC page on how much and how often to breastfeed for those patterns.
Breastfed And Formula-Fed Patterns
Expect more frequent feeds with breastfeeding in the early days. Short, back-to-back sessions help build supply and match the small capacity of a newborn tummy. Cluster feeding in the evening is common, and it doesn’t mean low supply by itself. With bottles, you’ll see a bit more structure: many newborns take 1–2 ounces every two to three hours at first, then 3–4 ounces every three to four hours by the end of the first month. Night feeds are still part of the plan for most babies during this window.
No matter the method, responsive feeding wins. Offer when you see early hunger signs, pause when fullness shows up, and let your baby set the finish line. That approach keeps intake in a healthy range and helps avoid overfilling the stomach, which can lead to spit-ups and discomfort.
Hunger And Fullness Cues
- Rooting, hand-to-mouth, and lip smacking are early hunger signs.
- Crying often comes late; aim to feed before the cry stage when possible.
- Steady suck and relaxed body tell you the feed is rolling well.
- Slowing suck, turning away, or relaxed hands signal fullness.
- Falling asleep at the breast or bottle can mean satisfied, not always tired.
- Lots of gulping or arching may mean the flow is too fast; pace it down.
- Frequent wet diapers and content periods between feeds point to good intake.
- Dry diapers and persistent fussiness call for closer attention and a weight check.
Bottle Amounts For Pumped Milk
Pumped milk bottles don’t need to be big. In the first two weeks, 1.5–2.5 ounces per bottle often fits the job, because feeds are frequent and stomach capacity is limited. By weeks three to four, many babies take 2.5–4 ounces per bottle. If your baby drains every bottle quickly and still roots, increase by a small step and watch for signs of comfort between feeds. If bottles are routinely unfinished, pour a little less next time and reduce waste.
Use paced bottle feeding to match the flow of direct breastfeeding. Hold the bottle more horizontal, let the baby draw the milk, and give short breaks. That simple pacing helps babies notice fullness, reduces gassiness, and makes mixed feeding smoother. It also keeps intake aligned with appetite, not just the speed of the nipple.
When To Wake A Sleepy Newborn For Feeds
Some infants nap through hunger, especially in the first couple of weeks. If your newborn is sleeping past three to four hours during the day, or past four to five hours at night in the early weeks, wake for a feed. The AAP notes that long stretches can lead to missed feeds at first; once weight gain is steady and your clinician is happy with the curve, you can stretch night gaps as your baby allows. Daytime feeds still matter for total intake and for keeping nights reasonable.
Common Feeding Roadblocks (And Fixes)
Lots of spit-ups: Try smaller, more frequent amounts for a day or two, keep your baby upright after feeds, and check bottle nipple flow. If spit-ups are forceful, painful, or paired with poor weight gain, ask your baby’s doctor for a review.
Draining bottles fast, then fussy: That can be a pace issue. Slow the flow, add brief pauses, and offer a burp mid-feed. Watch for fullness cues; if your baby turns away or relaxes, stop even if the bottle isn’t empty. The AAP’s upper daily limit near 32 ounces of formula helps avoid routine overfeeding across the day.
Sample 24-Hour Feeding Schedules
| Age | Per Feed (oz) | Sample Times |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | 1–2 | 12a, 2a, 4a, 6a, 8a, 10a, 12p, 2p, 4p, 6p, 8p, 10p |
| Week 2 | 2–3 | 12a, 3a, 6a, 9a, 12p, 3p, 6p, 9p (+ brief cluster in evening if needed) |
| Weeks 3–4 | 3–4 | 12a, 4a, 7a, 10a, 1p, 4p, 7p, 10p |
These are examples, not targets. Babies shuffle times based on naps, growth spurts, and evening cluster periods. Use the amounts that fit your baby’s comfort, diapers, and weight checks.
Quick Math: Ounces By Weight (Formula)
Here’s a simple way to size daily formula needs:
- Pick your baby’s weight in pounds.
- Multiply by 2.5 to get a daily ounce range.
- Split that total across your usual number of feeds.
Example: a 7-pound newborn × 2.5 ≈ 17–18 ounces in 24 hours. If you offer eight feeds, aim near 2–2.5 ounces each. If your baby wants a bit more at one feed and a bit less at the next, that’s fine; the daily total and your baby’s comfort matter most.
Red Flags That Need A Check
Call your baby’s doctor without delay if any of the following show up: fewer than six wet diapers per day after day five, very dark urine, stool that stays black after day three, weak suck, hard-to-wake feeds, or fast breathing during feeds. Slow weight gain, poor color, or deep jaundice also need a same-day plan. If a feed ever leads to choking, blue color, or breathing trouble, seek urgent care.
Feedings That Fit Your Baby
The best plan is simple: offer often, watch cues, and adjust in small steps. Early on, 1–2 ounces per feed makes sense for many newborns. By the end of the first month, 3–4 ounces per feed suits a lot of babies, with a daily rhythm that feels more predictable. Breast or bottle, your baby tells you when the amount is right: active hunger at the start, steady sucking in the middle, and a relaxed, content finish. Keep those signals in front of every decision and you’ll land in the sweet spot for ounces and happy feeds.