Most newborns take 1–3 oz (30–90 mL) per feed, 8–12 times daily—about 18–24 oz (540–720 mL) across 24 hours after the first week.
What “per day” looks like in the first weeks
Brand-new tummies are small, feeds are frequent, and daily intake climbs fast in week one. You’ll see short, responsive feeds around the clock. By the end of the first month, many babies settle into steadier portions and longer gaps between feeds.
Two facts help set expectations: newborns eat 8–12 times in 24 hours, and intake per feed rises from tiny sips on day one to a few ounces by the end of week one. That pattern fits both breast milk and formula, with normal variation from baby to baby.
| Age | Per feed (oz / mL) | Approx. daily total (oz / mL) |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1–2 | 0.5–1 oz / 15–30 mL | 6–12 oz / 180–360 mL |
| Days 3–4 | 1–2 oz / 30–60 mL | 8–16 oz / 240–480 mL |
| End of week 1 | 1.5–2.5 oz / 45–75 mL | 12–20 oz / 360–600 mL |
| Weeks 2–4 | 2–3 oz / 60–90 mL | 18–24 oz / 540–720 mL |
These ranges reflect typical patterns. A growth spurt or a sleepy day can nudge totals up or down. Watch diapers, weight, and your baby’s cues; they’re better guides than the clock.
How much newborns drink per day: by age and feed
Breastfed newborns
Expect 8–12 feeds per day with stretches of cluster feeding at times. Many breastfed babies average roughly 20–24 oz (600–720 mL) in a day after milk “comes in.” Research tracking weighed feeds across the first months finds about 25 oz per day on average, with wide healthy ranges. Intake at a single feed varies a lot, which is why frequent access to the breast works well.
If you want a reliable reference on nursing rhythm and frequency, see the CDC guide to how much and how often to breastfeed. It outlines 1–3-hour spacing early on, 8–12 feeds per day, and the normal ebb and flow of cluster sessions.
Formula-fed newborns
In the first days, offer 1–2 oz (30–60 mL) every 2–3 hours. By the end of the first month, many formula-fed babies take 3–4 oz (90–120 mL) about every 3–4 hours. A simple check many pediatricians use is 2.5 oz (75 mL) of formula per pound of body weight across 24 hours, without going far past 32 oz (960 mL) most days.
For details on the ounce-per-pound guide and daily caps, the AAP’s page on the amount and schedule of formula feedings lays out clear ranges and bottle-feeding tips.
Night feeds and cluster stretches
Several night feeds are normal in the first weeks. Long early-evening cluster sessions also pop up, especially with breastfeeding. They’re a common way babies tank up and fine-tune supply. If your newborn sleeps past 4–5 hours in the first weeks and is missing feeds, wake for a feed unless your clinician gave different guidance.
Hunger and fullness cues you can trust
Early hunger cues: stirring, hand-to-mouth, rooting, licking lips, soft fussing. Late hunger often shows up as hard crying. Offer the breast or bottle when early cues start and let feeds run their natural course.
Signs of fullness: relaxed hands, slower sucks, turning away, dozing off. With bottles, paced feeding helps babies stop when full. Hold the bottle more horizontally, pause often, and switch sides to mirror the feel of breastfeeding.
Diapers, weight, and red flags
Wet diapers climb from 2–3 per day in the first days to at least 5–6 after day four. Stools shift from dark meconium to greenish and then mustard-yellow if breastfed. Formula stools may look tan or brown and a bit firmer. Steady weight gain across checkups is the anchor metric.
Call your pediatrician if any of the following show up: fewer than 5 wet diapers after day four, no stools for two days in week one, weak sucking, jaundice that is getting worse, vomiting, or poor weight gain. Trust your gut; if something feels off, reach out.
| What you see | What it may mean | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Constant rooting after full feeds | Comfort sucking or a growth spurt starting | Offer another brief feed or use paced bottle breaks; hold and burp |
| Large spit-ups after most feeds | Taking feeds too fast or too full | Slow the flow, pause every few minutes, check nipple size |
| Very long gaps with few wet diapers | Not enough intake | Wake to feed every 2–3 hours until output rebounds; call your pediatrician |
| Frequent gagging on the bottle | Flow is too fast | Try a slower nipple, keep baby more upright, tip bottle less |
| Fussiness late afternoon or evening | Normal cluster feeding window | Feed on cue, keep sessions skin-to-skin, dim lights |
A simple formula check
The ounce-per-pound guide gives a quick ceiling. Multiply your baby’s weight in pounds by 2.5. That number is the rough daily total in ounces. Example: a 7-lb newborn × 2.5 ≈ 17–20 oz in a day, split across 8–12 feeds early on. Many babies won’t hit that max every day, and some days will run a little higher. The 32-oz daily cap still applies unless your clinician says otherwise.
More bottle tips that help intake match appetite: use paced feeding, leave short pauses, switch arms midway, and watch for gentle “I’m done” cues. Burp during natural breaks, not only at the end.
Sample 24-hour patterns
Breast milk day
Early days: 10–12 feeds, often 1–2 oz each, including 2–3 night feeds. Weeks 2–4: 8–12 feeds, often 2–3 oz each, still with night feeds. One stretch may run longer at night, then a busy cluster window balances the total. Skin-to-skin time and room-in care keep cues easy to spot.
Formula day
Early days: 8–12 feeds, 1–2 oz each. Weeks 2–4: 6–8 feeds, 2–3 oz each, moving toward 3–4 oz by the end of the month. Many parents see a steady 3-hour rhythm by week four, with a longer night stretch starting to emerge.
Why totals shift from day to day
Milk supply grows, stomach capacity expands, and babies practice efficient sucking. Growth spurts bring cluster sessions and brief leaps in volume. Warm days, vaccines, or extra play can nudge thirst and appetite too. Short dips happen with sniffles or sleepy spells. If diapers and weight track well, these swings are normal.
Practical ways to keep feeds smooth
Position and latch
Bring baby to you, not the other way around. Aim nipple to nose, wait for a wide gape, then hug in close so chin and cheeks touch the breast. If latch pinches, break the seal with a finger and start again.
Paced bottle skills
Hold baby upright, bottle near horizontal, and pause every few minutes. Let the lips rest on the nipple instead of pushing the tip deep. Switch sides to reduce fatigue in your arms and to give baby a new visual field.
When pumping enters the picture
If pumping for a session or two, match bottle size to the usual per-feed amount. Many newborns do well with 2–3 oz bottles in the first month. Label milk with date and keep cold chain tight. Offer the same paced rhythm as with formula.
When to call your pediatrician
Reach out without delay for poor output after day four, trouble waking to feed, deep jaundice, repeated vomiting, a fever, or weight loss. If feeds leave your nipples damaged or painful, get latch help soon. Parents of late-preterm or small babies should ask for a plan tailored to weight goals and energy level.
You’ve got this. Feed on cue, watch diapers and weight, and let your baby fine-tune the schedule over the first month. Normal intake lives in a range, not a single number.