In the first week, most newborns take 5–60 mL per feed, rising to 60–90 mL by week one and 90–120 mL by one month.
Newborn bellies are small and grow fast. That’s why single-feed amounts look tiny on day one and jump within days. Feed on cues, not the clock, and expect frequent sessions, day and night. The ranges below set expectations; your baby’s pace decides the rest.
Newborn Feeding Amount Per Feeding (mL): What To Expect
Here’s a quick view of typical volumes and how often babies feed through the first month. Ranges reflect both breastfed and formula-fed babies.
| Age | Per Feed (mL / oz) | Feeds In 24h |
|---|---|---|
| 0–24 hours | 2–10 mL (≈0.1–0.3 oz) | 8–12+ |
| 24–48 hours | 5–15 mL (≈0.2–0.5 oz) | 8–12 |
| 72 hours | ≈30 mL (≈1 oz) | 8–12 |
| Day 7 | 45–60 mL (≈1.5–2 oz) | 8–12 |
| Weeks 2–3 | 60–90 mL (≈2–3 oz) | 6–10 |
| 1 month | 90–120 mL (≈3–4 oz) | 6–8 |
Why the quick rise? Belly capacity expands during week one, from roughly 5–7 mL on day one to 45–60 mL by day seven. Many babies still prefer smaller, frequent feeds. Others take a bit more and space feeds out. Both patterns can be normal when diapers and growth look steady.
Breast Milk, Formula, And Feeding Rhythm
Breastfed babies often feed more often and may bunch feeds together in the evening. Many reach 8–12 feeds across 24 hours in the early weeks. Formula-fed babies tend to take larger single amounts with slightly longer gaps, landing near every 3–4 hours once feeding settles. You can scan CDC’s feeding frequency guide for the first days and weeks, and check the AAP’s formula-by-weight rule when you’re using bottles.
Hunger And Fullness Cues To Watch
Early hunger cues include stirring, rooting, lip smacking, and hands to mouth. Crying tends to be late. Fullness cues look like relaxed hands, closed mouth, turning away, or slower sucking with dozing. Responding to these cues helps you match intake to need and avoid overfilling.
mL And Ounces: Handy Benchmarks
1 ounce is about 30 mL. So 60 mL is near 2 oz, 90 mL is about 3 oz, and 120 mL is about 4 oz. Those markers line up with what many babies take per feed by the end of week one and through the first month.
Daily Intake By Body Weight (Formula Guide)
For babies taking only formula, a practical day-total guide after the first week is about 150–200 mL per kilogram of body weight. That’s the day sum, split across feeds. Many babies also cap near ~960 mL per day (about 32 oz). Use the table below to ballpark daily and per-feed amounts.
| Weight (kg) | Day Total (mL) | Per Feed If 8/Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5 kg | 375–500 mL | 45–65 mL |
| 3.0 kg | 450–600 mL | 55–75 mL |
| 3.5 kg | 525–700 mL | 65–90 mL |
| 4.0 kg | 600–800 mL | 75–100 mL |
| 4.5 kg | 675–900 mL | 85–115 mL |
| 5.0 kg | 750–1000 mL | 95–125 mL |
These are ballparks, not targets. If your baby drains bottles often and still shows hunger signs, offer a bit more. If they leave sizable amounts and seem comfy, that’s fine too. Watch diapers and steady growth to gauge how feeding is going.
Day-By-Day: The First Week
Day 0–1
Expect tiny volumes—teaspoons at a time. Colostrum is thick and energy-dense. Many babies feed at least 8–12 times across the day and night.
Days 2–3
Single feeds grow to spoonfuls: around 5–15 mL on day two and near 30 mL by day three. Some babies act hungrier as milk volume rises, especially in the evenings. Frequent feeds help supply and keep babies satisfied.
Days 4–7
Belly capacity jumps. Many babies take 45–60 mL per feed by the end of week one. Patterns start to settle, though night feeds are still common. Feed on cues and pace bottle feeds so your baby can pause and restart.
Breastfeeding: How Much Per Feed In ML?
When nursing at the breast, you can’t see the measure, but the same ranges apply: teaspoons on day one, about 30 mL by day three, and 45–90 mL by the end of week one to week two. A typical day in the first month includes 8–12 nursing sessions. If using expressed milk, many babies take 60–90 mL per bottle after the first week, then 90–120 mL by one month, with plenty still preferring smaller, frequent bottles.
Tips For Expressed Milk Bottles
Pick slow-flow nipples, hold the bottle more horizontal, and pause every few swallows. This “paced bottle” style lets babies self-regulate, which mirrors nursing and helps prevent overfilling.
Formula: How Much Per Feed In ML?
In the first days, start with 30–60 mL every 2–3 hours and adjust to hunger cues. After the first week, many babies settle near 60–90 mL per feed. By the end of the first month, 90–120 mL is common, spaced about every 3–4 hours. As bottles get bigger, total day intake still tends to line up with the per-kg range shown earlier.
Ounce–To–mL Quick Checks
0.5 oz ≈ 15 mL • 1 oz ≈ 30 mL • 1.5 oz ≈ 45 mL • 2 oz ≈ 60 mL • 2.5 oz ≈ 75 mL • 3 oz ≈ 90 mL • 3.5 oz ≈ 105 mL • 4 oz ≈ 120 mL
Signs Feeding Is On Track
Steady weight gain after the first few days, a content baby after most feeds, and plenty of wet diapers point to good intake. From day five onward, many babies have at least six wet diapers daily. Stools shift from dark meconium to yellow and looser by the end of the first week.
When Amounts Swing Up Or Down
Growth Spurts And Cluster Feeding
Babies often bunch feeds together in the evening or during spurts. Offer the breast or bottle when cues show. Intake across 24 hours often stays similar, even if the pattern looks different.
Sleepy Starts
Some babies snooze through feeds in the first days. If long stretches push past three to four hours in the early weeks, wake for a feed and try skin-to-skin, diaper changes, or gentle strokes to rouse.
Spit-Ups And Pace
Fast flows and big volumes can trigger spit-ups. Slow the feed, add pauses for burps, and try a smaller amount more often.
Safety And Prep Notes
Wash hands and gear for every feed. If using formula, follow the tin’s mixing directions and your local safe water advice. Many babies who are breastfed or mixed-fed need vitamin D drops; ask your clinician about dose. Avoid propping bottles. Hold your baby upright and keep them close so you can read their cues.