Newborn feeding: offer 1–2 oz (30–60 mL) per feed in the first days, about 8–12 feeds daily; near 2–3 oz by week two and 3–4 oz by one month.
Those first feeds set the rhythm for the weeks ahead. Babies eat small amounts very often, then ramp up quickly. The goal is steady weight gain, content post-feed moods, and plenty of wet and dirty diapers. You’ll get there by watching cues and matching volume to age rather than chasing strict clocks.
Two facts help most: frequency and portion size. Newborns usually feed 8–12 times in 24 hours, and early portions are tiny before rising in week two. Formula amounts are easy to measure; breastfed portions vary but the pattern is the same. Early milk is rich, belly size is small, and appetite grows fast.
How Much To Feed A Newborn: Day-By-Day Guide
Every baby is different, yet most follow a familiar curve. Use the table as a starting point and adjust to hunger and fullness cues. If baby drains a feed and still roots, offer a bit more. If baby turns away or gets fidgety mid-bottle, stop and try again later.
| Age | Per-Feed Volume* | Feeds/24 h |
|---|---|---|
| First 24 hours | ~1 oz (30 mL) | 8–12 |
| Days 2–3 | 1–2 oz (30–60 mL) | 8–12 |
| Days 4–7 | 1.5–2 oz (45–60 mL) | 8–12 |
| Week 2 | 2–3 oz (60–90 mL) | 7–10 |
| Weeks 3–4 | 3–4 oz (90–120 mL) | 6–8 |
*Portions reflect typical intake for many newborns. Breastfed babies may take varied amounts across a day; that’s normal.
Breastfed Newborn: Cues, Frequency, And Duration
Plan for 8–12 nursing sessions each day. Some are short snacks; others are full meals. Cluster feeding in the evening is common and helps milk supply. Signs your newborn is taking enough include audible swallows, calmer behavior after feeds, and diaper counts that climb through the first week. See the CDC’s clear checklist on newborn nursing basics (CDC breastfeeding basics).
Hunger Cues You Can Trust
Early cues beat tears. Look for stirring, hands to mouth, rooting, soft whimpers, and a wide open mouth near the breast. Crying is a late cue and can make latching tough. Offer the breast when the first signs appear and let baby finish the first side before switching.
How Long Does A Feed Last?
There’s no single “right” number. Newborn sessions can run 10–30 minutes on the first side, shorter on the second. Milk flow, latch, and baby’s pace set the clock. Rather than timing both sides by the minute, aim for active sucking and regular swallows, then switch when that slows.
Weight Checks And Diapers
A small weight dip in week one is expected; most babies are back to birth weight by days 10–14. By day 5, many have at least 6 wets and 3 or more poops daily. If output drops, wake windows stretch without feeds, or baby seems sleepy at the breast each time, call your baby’s doctor.
Formula-Fed Newborn: Amounts, Timing, And Daily Totals
In the first days, offer 1–2 oz (30–60 mL) every 2–3 hours. By the first month, many take 3–4 oz per feed and settle into 3–4 hour gaps. The AAP outlines a helpful rule of thumb—about 2½ oz (75 mL) of formula per pound of body weight across 24 hours, with an upper limit near 32 oz per day. Here’s the source page (AAP formula schedule).
Reading Fullness And Avoiding Overfeeds
Watch the face, not the bottle line. Turning away, relaxed hands, slower sucking, and dozing off mid-feed all say “done.” If baby still smacks lips after finishing, burp and offer a small top-up rather than loading a full extra bottle. Frequent spit-ups, gassy discomfort, or rapid weight jumps can follow large overfeeds.
Night Feeds And Wake Windows
Short stretches at night are fine if daytime intake is steady. Early on, many pediatric teams suggest waking a sleepy newborn at 3-hour marks until weight gain is on track. Once weight checks look good, one longer stretch of 4–5 hours overnight can happen naturally.
Bottle Skills For Breast Milk Or Formula
Paced feeding works with any milk. Hold the bottle more horizontal, pause every few minutes, and switch sides to mimic the breast. Use a slow-flow nipple so baby sets the tempo. This keeps intake in line with hunger rather than the drip speed of the bottle.
What Changes Week To Week
Days 1–3
Tiny bellies, frequent feeds. Expect many short sessions, especially overnight. Colostrum is thick and rich, so amounts look small yet do the job. Formula-fed babies often start near 1 oz and may nudge up to 2 oz by day three.
Days 4–7
Milk volume rises and diapers follow. Many babies still eat 8–12 times daily, but stamina grows and feeds stretch a bit. If baby sleeps longer than 4–5 hours during this week, a gentle wake for a feed keeps intake steady.
Week 2
Hunger rises. Many babies reach 2–3 oz per feed, with some evening cluster runs. Growth spurts can bring a busy day, then calmer patterns return.
Weeks 3–4
Many settle near 3–4 oz per feed and space feeds every 3–4 hours. Bottle babies may act more predictable; breastfed babies can still mix short and long sessions across a day. Either way, total intake across 24 hours matters more than a single big feed.
Daily Total: A Handy Weight Rule
The AAP’s weight method helps when you need a quick daily target for formula. Multiply baby’s weight in pounds by 2.5 to estimate ounces in 24 hours, without crossing the 32-oz ceiling. Split that total by the number of feeds you expect that day.
| Weight (lb) | Daily Formula (oz) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | ~15 oz | About five 3-oz feeds |
| 8 | ~20 oz | Five feeds at 4 oz works well |
| 10 | ~25 oz | Six feeds at ~4 oz |
| 12 | ~30 oz | Keep below 32 oz daily |
Signs To Feed Now
Newborns rarely run like a timer. Feed on demand. Early cues include wiggling, lip smacking, open-mouthed rooting, and light fussing. Waiting for full-on crying can make feeding tougher and shorter. Offer sooner and you’ll both stay calmer.
When Amounts May Shift
Cluster Evenings
A string of short feeds near bedtime is common. It can feel like non-stop snacking, then baby sleeps a bit longer. Go with it, keep burps frequent, and watch diapers.
Growth Spurts
Many babies power through a hungry day around weeks 2–3. Expect extra feeds, then a quick return to the usual rhythm over a day or two.
Warm Days
Babies ask for more frequent feeds during hot spells. Breast milk covers fluid needs; formula babies can take a little more formula as cues suggest. No extra water for young infants unless the doctor says so.
Practical Portion Tips
Start Smaller, Top Up
Begin with the low end of the range and add ½–1 oz if baby still acts hungry. Wasting a splash beats pushing too much.
Burp And Pause Often
Short pauses clear air and reset appetite signals. Try a mid-feed burp and a second one at the end.
Mind Nipple Flow
Fast nipples can flood a newborn and lead to gulping. A slow-flow nipple supports steady, paced intake.
Track Output, Not Just Ounces
Diapers tell the story. Rising wets and yellow, seedy stools after the first week point to good intake. Sudden drops in output deserve a call to your care team.
Expressed Milk: Typical Bottle Amounts
When feeding pumped milk, portion sizes look like the ranges above. Early bottles land near 1–2 oz, week two often reaches 2–3 oz, and many babies take 3–4 oz by one month. Keep flow slow, pace the bottle, and let baby decide when the feed is done. If you’re storing milk, rotate the oldest bottle to the front and warm gently in a cup of hot water rather than the microwave.
Myths That Trip Up New Parents
“A Bigger Bottle Means Longer Sleep”
Large single feeds don’t guarantee longer stretches. They may raise spit-ups and tummy aches. Even at night, smaller paced feeds often lead to calmer sleep for everyone.
“Water Helps On Hot Days”
Young infants get the fluid they need from breast milk or formula. Extra water can crowd out calories. Offer milk more often instead.
“Every Feed Must Match Yesterday”
Daily swings are common. Count the whole day, not any one bottle or breast session. If weight gain and diapers look good, the plan works.
When To Call Your Baby’s Doctor
Reach out fast if baby has fewer than 6 wets after day 5, fewer than 3 poops after day 5, poor latch despite help, deep jaundice, repeated projectile vomits, or no interest in feeds across several hours. Trust your gut. A quick check beats waiting and worrying.
Safety Notes You’ll Use
Formula Prep
Use clean water, follow the scoop instructions, and keep mixed formula chilled if not used right away. Toss leftovers from a warmed bottle after an hour.
Bottle Hygiene
Wash parts well and let everything air-dry. Replace nipples with cracks or sticky residue.
Sleep And Feeds
Place baby on the back for every sleep. Skip propping bottles; it raises choking and ear infection risks and can push excess intake.
Quick Checks Before Each Feed
Run a simple loop: Is baby waking or giving early cues? Is diaper output on track for age? Are feeds leaving baby calm and relaxed? If yes, you’re on the right path. If not, adjust volume, try more frequent sessions, and loop in your baby’s doctor for tailored guidance.