Most week-old newborns take 1–2 oz (30–60 mL) per feed, every ~3 hours—about 150–200 mL/kg per day, tuned to hunger and fullness cues.
Caring for a tiny tummy brings a lot of guesswork. Bottles look small, feeds seem frequent, and it’s normal to wonder whether your baby is getting enough. The good news: a week-old newborn needs small, steady amounts on a simple, repeatable rhythm.
In this guide, you’ll find clear numbers for the first seven days plus easy checks that tell you when to offer more and when to pause. Use the ranges as a starting point and let your baby’s cues lead the way.
Feeding basics in week one
During week one, a full feed is still modest. Stomachs are tiny, so frequent bottles beat big portions. Most babies eat at least 8 times in 24 hours, and many will nudge closer to 10–12 feeds, especially while they settle into life outside the womb.
How much formula for a 1-week-old baby
Two simple anchors help: per-feed volume and daily total by weight. Early on, most babies take 1–2 oz (30–60 mL) per feed. Across the day, a handy rule from pediatric groups is about 2½ oz per pound per day—which equals ~160 mL per kilogram per day. That matches common health service guidance and lands inside the classic 150–200 mL/kg/day range. If your baby shows clear hunger after finishing, offer a little more; if they turn away, stop.
| Age (days) | Per-feed amount* | Feeds per 24h |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | 0.5–1 oz (15–30 mL) | 10–12 |
| 3–4 | 1–1.5 oz (30–45 mL) | 8–12 |
| 5–7 | 1–2 oz (30–60 mL) | 8–10 |
*Babies vary. Offer more if strong hunger cues persist; pause if your baby turns away or relaxes mid-feed.
You can check the math for your baby with a quick example. A 3.2 kg newborn weighs about 7 lb. Using the 2½ oz per pound guide, that’s close to 17–18 oz across the day. Split over 9 feeds, you’re pouring about 2 oz each time. Some feeds will be smaller, some larger—that’s fine.
For parents who like a single page to save, the AAP’s formula amounts and schedule and the CDC’s how-much-and-how-often guide outline the same ranges and reinforce responsive feeding.
Hunger and fullness cues to trust
- Hands to mouth, rooting, lip smacking, fussing that builds into crying
- Active sucking, steady swallowing, then slower sucks and longer pauses
- Relaxed fingers and body, turning away from the nipple, sealed lips when full
Day-by-day guide for the first seven days
Day 1–2: feeds are small and frequent. Expect many short bottles and sleepy breaks. Day 3–4: volume rises as appetite wakes up. Day 5–7: most bottles land near the 1–2 oz range, and stretches between feeds may lengthen a little in the daytime.
Weight-based daily target without a calculator
Use this quick pair of conversions without any app. Multiply your baby’s weight in pounds by 2½ to get a rough daily ounce total. Or multiply weight in kilograms by 160 to get a ballpark daily mL total. Keep the grand total near 24–27 oz for many babies in week one, with an upper ceiling near 32 oz for older babies as they reach the end of the first month.
Paced bottle feeding keeps overfeeding at bay
Bottles flow faster than breasts, which can nudge babies to drink past fullness. Paced feeding slows the meal, helps babies breathe, and makes it easier to stop right when they feel satisfied.
- Hold your baby mostly upright and tickle the lip with the teat to start the latch.
- Keep the bottle horizontal so milk drips, not gushes; tip a little more only as your baby draws.
- Pause every minute or two for a burp and a breath; switch sides halfway through to mimic a breast switch.
- Watch the cues. If sucking turns lazy and your baby looks calm, stop—no need to finish the last sip.
Night feeds, cluster feeds, and sleepy stretches
Most week-old babies still wake often at night. A stretch longer than 4–5 hours can trim the day’s total intake, so set a gentle alarm and offer a bottle if a long snooze starts cutting into feeds. Cluster feeds—several close bottles in the evening—are common and can be a normal way of “topping off” before a longer sleep.
Sample 24-hour plan you can flex
Here’s a template for a healthy 7 lb baby near the end of week one. Aim for 17–18 oz total. Pour 1.5–2 oz at each feed. Space bottles near every 2.5–3 hours in the day, and every 3–4 hours overnight, with extra burp breaks whenever needed.
| Signal | What it looks like | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Enough milk | 6+ wet diapers by day 5, soft poops, steady weight gain | Stay the course and keep following cues |
| Wants more | Strong rooting after a full feed, tense hands, short naps between bottles | Offer 0.5–1 oz more and slow the flow |
| Too much | Frequent spit-ups, gulping, gassy fuss, arching during feeds | Use paced feeding, try a slower teat, add more burp breaks |
When amounts change fast
Growth spurts can show up anytime in the first month. For a day or two, your baby may want an extra half ounce at several feeds or squeeze in an extra bottle. Follow along and then drift back to your usual rhythm once appetite settles.
Mixing, warming, and storage basics
Wash hands, use clean bottles, and stick to the scoop that comes with the tin. Level each scoop—no heaping—and mix with the exact water amount on the label. Most babies drink bottles at room temp. If you warm a bottle, swirl and test on your wrist; it should feel neutral. Discard any milk left out for more than 2 hours, and toss what your baby doesn’t finish after 1 hour from first latch. Store made-ahead bottles in the fridge and use within 24 hours.
Common snags and quick fixes
Baby falls asleep after 10–15 mL? Try a diaper change and a brief burp, then offer the rest. Lots of spit-up? Pour smaller portions, add pauses, and check that the nipple flow isn’t too fast. Gassy fuss after every feed? Keep the bottle more level, hold your baby upright for 15–20 minutes, and review latch angles.
When to call your pediatrician
Reach out for guidance if feeds drop to fewer than 6 in 24 hours after day 4, wet diapers fall below 6 per day after day 5, vomit is green or forceful, stools have blood, your baby seems hard to wake for feeds, or weight isn’t trending up at checks.
Picking bottle size and teat flow
Tiny babies do well with slow-flow teats and small bottles. A flow that’s too fast can lead to gulping and extra gas; a flow that’s too slow can bring on frustration. Signs you’ve got the pace right: steady sucks, soft jaw motion, and calm breathing. If milk streams down the chin or your baby finishes a full ounce in under a minute, try a slower option. If they work hard, click the tongue, or nod off before taking much, try a fresh teat or a slightly faster flow.
Better burps with gentle positions
Pause every few minutes and try one of three easy holds. Over-shoulder: chest on your shoulder with neck held; pat and rub in circles. Seated: sit your baby upright on your lap, steady the chin, and rub the upper back. Face-down across your forearm: keep the head slightly higher than the body and stroke up the back. If a burp doesn’t arrive after a minute, keep feeding and try again later.
Tracking diapers and weight
Wet diapers climb as milk volume rises. Expect one wet diaper per day of life for days 1–4 and six or more after day 5. Stools shift from dark meconium toward mustard yellow. Your clinic checks weight and growth; steady gains over the coming weeks tell you the plan is on track.
Picking the right formula type
Standard iron-fortified cow’s-milk formulas suit most newborns. Some babies need a different base or a lactose-free blend, and a few need hydrolyzed formulas made for sensitive tummies. If you see rash, wheeze, blood-streaked stools, or poor comfort after many feeds, ask your pediatrician about options.
Special cases: preterm, small, or medically complex
Babies who arrive early, weigh less than expected, or have medical needs often follow tailored feeding plans. Hospitals sometimes start with fortified milk or higher-calorie formulas and adjust volumes slowly. If you received a written plan at discharge, use that plan first. Call your baby’s team if volumes fall, stools change sharply, or you’re unsure how to scale bottles during a growth spurt.
Cleaning gear the simple way
Wash bottles, rings, and teats in hot soapy water, rinse well, and air-dry on a clean rack. Replace teats when they show cracks, stickiness, or collapsed tips. Wash hands before each prep, after diaper changes; keep surfaces clean and dry.
Normal spit-up versus true vomiting
Spit-up usually looks like a gentle dribble after a burp or a small puddle on the bib. Babies who spit up often can still grow well. True vomiting is forceful and shoots out in a stream. If vomit looks green, if a baby seems dry with few wet diapers, or if feeds end with crying and a tight belly every time, ring your clinic.