Most newborns drink 1–3 oz (30–90 ml) per feed, building toward about 2.5 oz per lb per day and usually not more than ~32 oz in 24 hours.
Newborn appetites swing within a healthy range. Tiny tummies start small, feeds come often, and intake climbs across the first month. The numbers below help you set the first bottles with confidence while you keep watching your baby’s cues.
Newborn Formula Intake At A Glance
Use these typical ranges as a starting point. Offer on demand, pause for burps, and let your baby lead the pace.
| Age | Per Feed (oz / ml) | Feeds In 24 Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Birth–24 hours | 0.5–1 oz / 15–30 ml | 8–12 |
| Days 2–3 | 0.5–1.5 oz / 15–45 ml | 8–12 |
| Days 4–6 | 1–2 oz / 30–60 ml | 8–12 |
| Week 2–3 | 2–3 oz / 60–90 ml | 7–9 |
| Week 4 (around 1 month) | 3–4 oz / 90–120 ml | 6–8 |
Plenty of healthy babies sit a little above or below these figures. Growth, diaper output, and comfort between feeds tell you more than any single ounce mark.
How Much Formula For A Newborn Per Day: Simple Math
Many pediatricians share a handy daily guide: about 2.5 ounces of formula per pound of body weight per day, with a practical cap near 32 ounces in 24 hours. That guide fits most full-term babies in the first months and pairs well with responsive feeding.
Here’s how that looks in real life. Say your baby weighs 7 lb. Multiply 7 × 2.5 to get roughly 17–18 ounces for the whole day. Split that across 8 feeds, and your bottles land near 2–2.5 ounces each. If sleep stretches lengthen, single feeds rise a bit while the daily total stays in range.
If your baby seems hungry after finishing a bottle, add 0.5–1 ounce to the next feed and watch. If your baby often leaves an ounce or more, mix a touch less. Your goal is steady growth and a content baby, not chasing a perfect dose.
Feeding Frequency And Schedule Basics
Most newborns feed every 2–3 hours around the clock in the early weeks. Some cluster in the evening, then gift a longer stretch overnight; others keep feeds evenly spaced. Both patterns can be normal. Wake sleepy newborns at least every 3 hours by day and every 4 hours at night until weight gain looks solid at checkups.
As the first month wraps up, many babies settle into 6–8 feeds per day with 3–4 ounces per bottle. That shift is gradual. Expect off days, growth spurts, and short phases when intake jumps for a day or two.
When To Offer More Or Less
Babies tell you with their bodies. Watch the early cues, start the feed before crying peaks, and stop when the cues say “I’m full.”
Hunger Cues You Can Trust
- Stirring, rooting, hands to mouth
- Quiet fussing that eases once the bottle reaches lips
- Strong, steady suck at the start of a feed
Full Cues That Say Pause
- Slower sucks with longer pauses
- Relaxed hands and a soft body
- Turning away, sealing lips, or pushing the nipple out
If spit-up seems frequent, try smaller, more frequent bottles and extra burp breaks. If diapers or weight checks lag, ask your pediatrician about intake goals and possible adjustments.
Bottle Size, Nipples, And Pace Feeding
Small bottles keep early feeds comfortable and reduce waste. A slow-flow nipple helps your newborn set the pace. Hold the bottle more horizontal, give breathing breaks, and tip the bottle down now and then so suck-swallow-breathe stays smooth. This paced style lowers gulping, gas, and overfeeding.
Safe Mixing, Warming, And Storage
Wash your hands, use the scoop that came with the tin, level each scoop, and add water first if the label says so. Bottles do not need warming; if you prefer warm milk, place the bottle under warm running water or swirl it in a warm water bath. Skip the microwave. Prepared formula that isn’t served right away belongs in the fridge and gets used within the time window on public health guidance.
Learn step-by-step bottle prep, storage times, and safe warming from the CDC’s guide to formula preparation and storage. For daily intake ranges by weight and a daily ceiling near 32 ounces, see the AAP’s HealthyChildren amount and schedule page.
That page also explains feeding rhythm and schedule basics for new parents.
Sample Day Plans You Can Tweak
These sketches show how daily totals can split across feeds. Follow your baby, not the clock.
6-Pound Newborn
Daily ballpark: about 15 ounces. One way to reach that target is eight feeds of 2 ounces each. If two daytime naps are long, make two bottles 2.5 ounces and trim a later bottle by a half ounce.
8-Pound Newborn
Daily ballpark: about 20 ounces. Many families use seven feeds: five bottles at 3 ounces and two at 2.5 ounces. If a night stretch hits 4–5 hours, add a half ounce to the bedtime bottle.
10-Pound Newborn
Daily ballpark: about 25 ounces. Six to seven feeds often work here. A common pattern is six bottles at 4 ounces with one lighter top-off during the fussiest window.
Water Choice, Scoops, And Tins
Use safe drinking water that meets local standards. Cold tap water can be fine if your tap is safe; many caregivers run the water for a short time first. Stick with the scoop that came in the tin and the mixing ratio on the label. Rounding scoops or stretching the water leads to bottles that don’t match what your baby needs.
On-The-Go And Night Feed Tips
Measure powder into a clean dispenser and carry room-temperature water in capped bottles. Mix right before feeding. At night, pre-measure both so you can set a bottle fast with the lights low. Keep mixed bottles in the fridge and toss any leftover milk from a finished feed.
Common Scenarios And Quick Fixes
Sleepy Newborn Who Skips Cues
Skin-to-skin time, gentle unwrapping, and a diaper change can wake a baby enough to feed. Offer every 2–3 hours by day. Track diapers and weight to be sure intake keeps up.
Lots Of Spit-Up After Feeds
Hold upright for 20–30 minutes after a bottle. Try slower flow, more burp breaks, and a slightly smaller bottle with one extra feed that day. If spit-up turns forceful or weight gain slows, ask your pediatrician.
Evening Cluster Feeds
Some babies stack smaller bottles close together near bedtime. Total daily intake still lands in range; the pattern usually eases by the second month.
Long Night Stretch Starts Early
Lovely, as long as daytime intake and diapers look strong. Many parents add one extra ounce to the bedtime bottle to balance the longer gap.
Output Checks That Keep You On Track
Diapers tell a clear story. As milk intake rises across the first week, wet nappies climb too. By the end of week one, expect pale, frequent wet diapers and soft stools most days.
| Age | Wet Diapers / 24h | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 1–2 | Dark urine possible; volumes are tiny |
| Day 2 | 2–3 | More alert periods begin |
| Days 3–5 | 3–5 | Stools shift from meconium to lighter |
| Day 6 and beyond | 6+ | Pale urine; several stools common |
If wet diapers fall or urine stays dark after day 5, call your pediatrician. Low output can signal low intake or illness and deserves a same-day plan.
Weight, Growth Spurts, And Bottle Changes
Expect intake bumps during rapid growth days. Many babies add about 0.5–1 ounce to each bottle for a short spell, then settle back. As your baby’s weight climbs, the daily 2.5 oz per lb guide naturally raises the daily total too.
Switch to a larger bottle when your baby regularly takes the full amount plus a top-off. Move up a nipple flow only when feeds stretch past 30 minutes despite alert sucking and good positioning.
When To Call The Doctor
Get help fast for any breathing trouble during feeds, choking episodes, a fever in the first weeks, or fewer than six wet diapers a day after day 6. Call if vomiting shoots across the room, stools carry blood, or your baby is too sleepy to finish bottles. Reach out as well if daily intake pushes past 32 ounces, if weight checks stall, or if reflux signs keep your baby uncomfortable. A quick plan with your pediatrician brings peace and keeps feeding on track.
Preterm, Low Birth Weight, And Medical Needs
Babies born early or small often need tailored plans. Your care team may set higher calories per ounce, different volumes, or a specific schedule. Follow the plan you’re given and ask questions at each weigh-in so you can tweak bottles as growth improves.
Quick Reference You Can Save
- First 24 hours: 0.5–1 oz per feed, 8–12 feeds
- End of week one: near 1–2 oz per feed
- Weeks 2–3: mostly 2–3 oz per feed
- Around 1 month: many take 3–4 oz per feed
- Daily ballpark: ~2.5 oz per lb, usually not above ~32 oz per day
- Diapers after day 6: 6+ wets, several stools
- Feed on early cues; stop on full cues
- Use slow-flow nipples and paced bottle steps
- Prep bottles safely; chill unused bottles and toss leftovers