Newborn feeding: most babies take 1–2 oz (30–60 mL) per feed in the first days, rising toward 3–4 oz by the end of the first month.
New parents ask this right away because the first days move fast. The truth is simple and reassuring: tiny tummies need tiny portions at first, then amounts climb in steady steps through the first month. The range below fits both bottle-fed breast milk and standard infant formula. Feed responsively, watch your baby, and use the tables and tips here to size each bottle with less guesswork and less stress.
Newborn Ounces Per Feeding: Age-By-Age Guide
Your baby’s intake grows quickly during the first four weeks. Early on, feeds are small and frequent. By the end of month one, bottles look fuller and the rhythm feels steadier. The table below shows typical ranges per feed and how often babies eat in 24 hours. Every baby is different, so land within the range that matches hunger cues and comfort.
| Age | Per-Feed Amount | Feeds / 24 Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1–3 | 1–2 oz (30–60 mL) | 8–12 |
| Days 4–7 | 1.5–3 oz (45–90 mL) | 8–10 |
| Weeks 2–3 | 2–3 oz (60–90 mL) | 7–9 |
| Week 4 | 3–4 oz (90–120 mL) | 6–8 |
These ranges align with guidance that newborns start around 1–2 oz per feed and move toward 3–4 oz by the end of the first month. See the
CDC’s formula amounts and timing
for the opening days and the
AAP’s month-one targets
for the later step-up.
What “Enough” Looks Like During A Feed
Hunger Cues To Start
- Rooting, mouth opening, or turning the head toward touch.
- Hands near the mouth, gentle sucking sounds, light fussing.
- Eyes bright and alert, body looks ready and active.
Fullness Cues To Pause Or Stop
- Slower sucking, longer pauses, relaxed hands and shoulders.
- Turning away from the nipple or sealing the lips.
- Content body language and calm eyes after a burp.
If your baby settles, sleeps well between feeds, and has steady diaper output, the amount is likely on point. If spit-up is frequent or feedings drag on and end with fussing, adjust the volume or the nipple flow and try paced bottle steps below.
Breast Milk Vs Formula: Patterns That Differ
Breastfed newborns often eat smaller amounts more often, with bursts of cluster feeding in the evening. Formula-fed babies tend to space feeds a bit wider and finish near the higher end of the range per bottle. Both paths are normal. Let intake be driven by your baby’s cues, not the ounces left in the bottle.
When To Increase The Ounces
Raise the per-feed amount when your baby drains bottles fast, looks eager for more, and still wakes sooner than usual. Move in small steps, like an extra 0.5–1 oz at the next daytime feed. Watch comfort and diapers for two days, then repeat if needed. If spit-up grows or your baby seems uneasy, step back by that same small amount.
Paced Bottle Feeding That Matches Baby Control
Simple Steps
- Hold your baby upright, tummy to tummy, with head well supported.
- Keep the bottle near horizontal so milk flows with your baby’s effort.
- Touch the nipple to the lip line; let baby draw it in rather than pushing.
- Count gentle sucks, then tilt the bottle down for short breaks.
- Switch sides halfway to mimic breast switches and support head turn.
Paced feeds help babies set the tempo and stop when full, which limits overfeeding and reduces gas. A slower nipple can also help early on.
Night Feeds, Day Feeds, And The First Month Rhythm
During the first weeks, many newborns wake every 2–3 hours day and night. As intake per feed climbs toward 3–4 oz near the end of month one, some stretches at night start to lengthen. Daytime feeds still matter; a well-fed day often brings a calmer night. If a long nap pushes a feed beyond four hours in the early weeks, wake gently and offer a bottle.
Diaper Output: The Quiet Cross-Check
Wet diapers ramp from two or three in the first days to five or more by days 4–5, with pale yellow urine. Stools shift from dark meconium to mustard-yellow, then settle into a pattern that fits your baby. Output varies, yet steady wet diapers with a calm belly are a strong green light that intake suits your baby’s needs.
Weight-Based Math For Bottles
A handy rule from pediatric care teams: about 2.5 oz of formula per pound of body weight across 24 hours, with a soft daily cap near 32 oz during the first months. Use this rule for formula planning and for bottle-fed breast milk when you want a quick check. Then shape each single feed by the cues you see.
| Weight | Daily Total (2.5 oz/lb) | Est. Per-Feed (6–8 feeds) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 lb (2.7 kg) | ~15 oz / 450 mL | ~2–2.5 oz |
| 8 lb (3.6 kg) | ~20 oz / 600 mL | ~2.5–3.5 oz |
| 10 lb (4.5 kg) | ~25 oz / 750 mL | ~3–4.5 oz |
| 12 lb (5.4 kg) | ~30 oz / 900 mL | ~3.5–5 oz |
This math matches the AAP’s weight-based guidance, including the 32 oz daily ceiling for most babies. If bottles creep past that line day after day, shift focus to paced steps and watch for cues to end the feed sooner.
Bottle Size, Nipple Flow, And Gas
Early on, 4-oz bottles are easy to handle and match the portions listed for the first month. Move to 8-oz bottles later as per-feed amounts grow. If gas or spit-up is frequent, try a slower nipple, keep the bottle more horizontal, add two burp breaks per feed, and hold your baby upright for 15–20 minutes after feeding.
How Often Should A Newborn Eat?
During the newborn phase, expect 8–12 feeds in 24 hours. That can look like every 2–3 hours during the day with one or two longer night stretches. Formula-fed babies sometimes land near 6–8 feeds by the end of month one as per-feed amounts reach 3–4 oz. If your baby wants to eat sooner than the clock says, follow the cues you see rather than a fixed schedule.
Signs To Call Your Pediatrician
Reach out if your baby has fewer wet diapers than expected, shows weak sucking, seems listless, or throws up forcefully after many feeds. Ask for feeding help if weight checks drift off the curve or if latching pain leads you to lean on bottles more than planned. A short visit or a quick nurse line call can reset the plan with less worry.
Sample Day In The First Month
Days 1–7
Feeds of 1–2 oz, every 2–3 hours. Expect a lot of short naps, frequent burps, and diaper changes after many feeds. If naps push a stretch too long, wake gently and offer a feed.
Weeks 2–3
Feeds of 2–3 oz, every 2.5–3 hours. One longer stretch at night may appear. Diaper output trends up, and spit-up often eases with paced steps.
Week 4
Feeds of 3–4 oz, about 6–8 times daily. Days feel steadier, and bottles near 4 oz start to be finished in one sitting. Some babies still like one cluster in the evening; keep portions small and frequent during that window.
Quick Answers To Common “How Many Ounces” Moments
After A Short Nap
If a nap cuts into the usual spacing and your baby wakes early, offer a smaller bottle first, like 1–2 oz, then top up if hunger cues remain after a burp.
During A Growth Spurt
Short bursts of higher intake are normal. Add 0.5–1 oz to a few daytime bottles, pace well, and roll back once sleep and spacing reset.
When Switching From Breast To Bottle
Start near the lower end of the range for your baby’s age, use paced steps, and let your baby call the stop. Many babies take less from a bottle when they set the tempo themselves.
Bottom Line For Today’s Bottle
For a newborn, pour 1–2 oz per feed during the first days, then work toward 3–4 oz by the end of month one. Keep feeds calm and paced, watch the cues, and tune volume up or down in small steps. Your baby’s comfort, diapers, and steady weight checks will tell you that the ounces match the moment.