Most newborns reach about 16–24 oz (480–720 ml) across 8–12 feeds by weeks 2–4, with teaspoon-size colostrum on day one growing each day.
New babies eat often. Stomachs start tiny, so intake builds across the first days. You’ll see short, frequent feeds at first, then a smoother rhythm. Responsive feeding helps here: offer the breast at early hunger cues and let baby set the pace. In the first weeks most babies feed 8–12 times in 24 hours, sometimes more during cluster periods.
If you’re pumping or planning bottles of expressed milk, the daily totals and per-feed ranges below give you a practical starting point. Every baby varies, and growth, birth weight, and latch all matter. Use the ranges, watch diapers and weight, and loop in your care team whenever something feels off.
Daily Breast Milk Needs: Quick View
This table pulls common ranges for the first two weeks. Amounts are per feed and estimated daily totals across 8–12 sessions. Expect the higher end during cluster spells and the lower end in sleepy stretches.
| Age | Typical Amount Per Feed | Daily Total (8–12 feeds) |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 5–7 ml (about 1 tsp) | 40–84 ml (1.3–2.8 oz) |
| Day 2 | 5–15 ml | 40–180 ml (1.3–6 oz) |
| Day 3 | 15–30 ml (0.5–1 oz) | 120–360 ml (4–12 oz) |
| Days 4–6 | 30–60 ml (1–2 oz) | 240–720 ml (8–24 oz) |
| Day 7 | 45–60 ml (1.5–2 oz) | 360–720 ml (12–24 oz) |
| Days 10–14 | 60–90 ml (2–3 oz) | 480–1080 ml (16–36 oz) |
By the end of week two, many exclusively fed babies land near 500–700 ml in 24 hours. Some land below or above that band and still do well. What matters is steady gains after the first two weeks, plus healthy output.
How Often Should A Newborn Breastfeed?
Plan on 8–12 sessions in 24 hours during the first weeks. Spacing tends to be every 2–4 hours, with shorter gaps in the evening when cluster feeding is common. Long stretches of 4–5 hours can show up once milk is in and weight is back on track, yet frequent access keeps supply steady. Hunger cues lead: stirring, hand to mouth, rooting, lip smacking, then crying last.
You’ll also track diapers. Expect at least 5–6 wet diapers from day five onward and several yellow stools in the early weeks. Weight usually dips after birth, then returns to birth weight by around two weeks. If that isn’t happening, talk with your pediatrician and add hands-on help from a lactation pro. For a clear refresher on early rhythms, see the CDC breastfeeding frequency guidance.
How Much Breast Milk Per Day For A Newborn: Quick Math
Once milk is in, daily intake steadies. Across weeks 2–4, many babies take a total near 16–24 oz (480–720 ml) across 8–12 feeds. Some take more, some less. If you’re building a pumping plan for work or nights, aim bottles toward the lower end first to cut waste, then top up if baby signals for more.
A handy way to size bottles is to divide your daily target by the number of feeds. For instance, if you set 20 oz across 10 feeds, start with two-ounce bottles. If baby still cues for more after paced feeding, add a small top-off. As weeks go by, single feeds often sit in the 2–3 oz range, with a few feeds creeping higher during growth spurts.
Be cautious using the per-pound bottle math that’s common for formula. Breastfed babies tend to keep daily volume flatter across the first months than bottle-formula patterns. Your best guide is growth, diapers, and cues.
Week-By-Week Guide For The First Month
Week 1: Tiny Stomach, Frequent Feeds
Day one brings teaspoon-size colostrum per feed. Day two still looks small, yet feed counts rise. By day three, many babies take half to one ounce at a time as milk ramps up. From days four to six, one to two ounces per feed is common. You may notice bursts of back-to-back feeds that help drive supply. Offer both sides and add breast compressions when baby slows.
Watch for early signs that things are moving the right way: deeper swallows as milk increases, a softer feel after feeds, and more wet diapers. If latch hurts, reach out early. Small tweaks to position often change the whole session.
Week 2: Intake Rises, Rhythm Forms
Volumes keep climbing. Two to three ounces per feed is common, especially during daylight hours. Daily totals near 16–24 oz are standard for many families. Keep night access easy; one or two longer stretches can happen, yet frequent overnight nursing still supports supply and intake.
If you’re pumping, a simple target many parents see by the end of this week is roughly half-liter to two-thirds of a liter across 24 hours. That output often covers daily needs when baby isn’t at the breast for every feed.
Week 3: Growth Spurt Logistics
A classic surge hits around this time. Expect extra cluster feeding and short naps. Total volume across 24 hours may bump up for a few days, then settle again. If you’re pumping, a brief increase in sessions helps match the demand spike. Keep an eye on your flange fit and comfort so you can keep the schedule without soreness.
Some babies finish faster now; others linger. Either way, let cues, not the clock, tell you when to switch sides or wrap up. Burp mid-feed and after, since fast letdowns can bring in extra air.
Week 4: Stable Totals, Smoother Days
By the fourth week, many babies hover in a steady daily range with feeds that feel more predictable. Two to three ounce bottles often meet needs, with a few three to four ounce feeds during peaks. Keep pace-feeding and watch cues so bottles don’t creep too large. Bigger bottles can push more milk than baby wants and leave them gassy.
Sleep starts to stretch a bit for some families. If a longer stretch shows up, you can shift one feed to the daytime to keep the same number of sessions. That helps daily volume stay on track while you enjoy the extra rest.
Practical Bottle Volumes For Expressed Milk
Use this as a packing and prep cheat sheet for pumped milk. Pace every bottle, pause often, and switch sides mid-feed to mimic the breast.
| Age | Typical Bottle Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1–2 | 0.5–0.7 oz (15–20 ml) | Colostrum; tiny, frequent servings |
| Days 3–4 | 0.5–1 oz (15–30 ml) | Still frequent; expect cluster spells |
| Days 5–7 | 1–2 oz (30–60 ml) | Milk in; use slow flow and pacing |
| Weeks 2–3 | 2–3 oz (60–90 ml) | Most feeds fall here |
| Weeks 3–4 | 2–3.5 oz (60–105 ml) | Occasional larger evening feed |
Signs Intake Is On Track
Look for 5–6 or more wet diapers from day five onward, soft yellow stools in the early weeks, and a settled look after many feeds. Weight should climb after the early dip and meet or pass birth weight by about two weeks. Your pediatrician’s checks confirm the trend. For a helpful overview of early feeding and diaper counts, see the AAP guidance on baby feeding.
Other green lights: strong tone, waking for feeds, and a steady pattern of audible swallows once letdown starts. If spit-up seems frequent, try more upright positions, extra burp breaks, and paced bottles. If symptoms persist, bring it to your pediatrician.
Tips That Help Milk Flow And Intake
Lead With Early Cues
Feed when baby stirs, searches, or brings hands to the mouth. Waiting for crying can shorten the session and make latch tricky. Early starts tend to go smoother and transfer more milk.
Keep Access High
Plan skin-to-skin time and rooming-in. Aim for 8–12 feeds in 24 hours. When baby sleeps a longer stretch, add a session earlier or later in the day.
Use Both Sides Well
Let baby finish the first side, then offer the second. Breast compressions during the slow phase can boost transfer. Switch sides again if baby stays keen.
Support Night Feeding
Overnight feeds protect supply and help meet daily volume. Keep lights low and diaper changes brief to get back to sleep fast. A comfortable chair and a full water bottle near your spot make the night shift easier.
Paced Bottle Technique
Hold the bottle more horizontal, pause every few swallows, and switch sides. This slows the flow and mirrors nursing, which lowers the chance of overfilling a tiny stomach. Choose a slow-flow nipple so baby does the work, not the bottle.
Pumping Smart
If you’re adding pumps, match baby’s pattern. Early on that’s about every 2–3 hours, including one session overnight. Size flanges correctly, and track output for trends rather than perfect numbers. If supply dips after missed sessions, a few days of extra pumps usually sets things right.
When To Talk With Your Care Team
Call your pediatrician fast if wet diapers drop, stools turn scant after day four, weight isn’t climbing by the two-week check, baby is listless, or lips look dry. Tongue ties, shallow latch, or pain with nursing also deserve quick attention from a skilled lactation professional. Sooner support saves time and stress, and helps you keep milk moving into baby.