Newborns typically take 1–2 oz (30–60 mL) every 2–3 hours, reaching about 16–24 oz (480–720 mL) per day by weeks 2–4.
What Newborns Drink In The First Weeks
The first days are small and frequent. A tiny belly empties fast, so feeds come often. Start with 1–2 ounces per feed, every 2–3 hours, and watch your baby’s cues. As days pass, the per-feed amount rises smoothly while gaps between feeds stretch a little.
By the end of the first month, many babies take 3–4 ounces per feed and settle into 3–4 hour windows. Most land near a daily total close to 24–32 ounces once intake ramps up. If a newborn sleeps past 4–5 hours in the early weeks and begins missing feeds, wake for a bottle so calories don’t fall short.
These ranges come from pediatric guidance and match what many parents see at home. For depth, see the American Academy of Pediatrics’ AAP guidance on formula amounts.
Quick Look: Newborn Formula Amounts By Age
| Age | Per-Feed Amount | Usual Daily Total |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1–3 | 0.5–1 oz (15–30 mL) | 6–10 oz (180–300 mL) |
| End Of Week 1 | 1–2 oz (30–60 mL) | 10–16 oz (300–480 mL) |
| Weeks 2–3 | 1.5–3 oz (45–90 mL) | 14–22 oz (420–660 mL) |
| Weeks 3–4 | 3–4 oz (90–120 mL) | 20–28 oz (600–840 mL) |
Use the table as a guide, not a target. Babies self-adjust from feed to feed. If bottles empty fast and lips keep smacking, the next feed can be a touch larger. If the bottle is only half finished and your baby turns away, stop there.
How Much Formula For A Newborn Baby: Daily And Per-Feed Guide
Two views help parents plan: the per-feed range and the daily total. Per-feed range tells you how much to pour into the bottle. Daily total helps you tally intake over 24 hours and keep it under safe caps.
Per-Feed Range
In week one, pour 1–2 ounces at a time. By weeks 2–4, many babies are ready for 2–4 ounces. Don’t jump straight to the top of the range; step up by a half ounce and see how it goes. A slow-flow nipple and paced bottle feeding make this easier to read, because the pace matches how babies swallow and breathe.
Daily Total
Across a full day, most newborns end up near 16–24 ounces by weeks 2–4, then move toward 24–32 ounces as the first month closes. The AAP notes a simple rule of thumb: about 2.5 ounces of formula per pound of body weight per day, with an average cap near 32 ounces in 24 hours. That rule keeps intake in a healthy band while leaving room for baby-led feeding.
Feed On Cues, Not The Clock
Hunger cues show up before crying. Look for rooting, hand-to-mouth movements, and restlessness. Offer a bottle when cues appear, and let your baby set the pace. Fullness cues matter too: relaxed hands, slowed sucking, and turning away. Ending a feed on those signals helps avoid overfilling tiny stomachs.
In the first days, feeds often cluster in the evening. That pattern is common and usually settles as the gut matures. Short naps between feeds are normal. If your baby falls asleep mid-bottle, a gentle burp break can wake just enough to finish or to call it done.
Burp Breaks That Work
Try upright on your shoulder, seated with chin supported, or tummy down across your lap. Give a few gentle pats, then pause and listen. Many babies need one break halfway through and another at the end.
Bottle Size, Nipples, And Pace
Use smaller bottles early so you’re not tempted to overpour. A slow-flow nipple is the default for newborns. If you see gulping, coughing, or milk spilling from the sides of the mouth, the flow may be too fast. Paced bottle feeding keeps the bottle more horizontal, gives short pauses, and lets your baby lead. That pattern lines up well with how newborns drink and helps match intake to appetite.
Gas happens. Burp midway and at the end of a feed. If spit-up appears often, hold your baby upright for 15–20 minutes after feeds and offer a bit less per pour, more often. If weight gain stalls or vomits are forceful, call your pediatrician.
Night Feeds And Longer Stretches
In the first weeks, wake windows are short and nights are busy. If a newborn sleeps past 4–5 hours and starts skipping bottles, wake gently and feed. As intake climbs and weight rises, stretches tend to lengthen. Many babies drop the middle-of-the-night bottle somewhere between 2 and 4 months or once they reach about 12 pounds, as the AAP notes. Until then, think steady rhythm, not long gaps.
Milliliters And Ounces: Handy Math
Most tins list mL, while many parents think in ounces. Here’s a quick anchor: 1 oz equals 30 mL. That means 2 oz is 60 mL, 3 oz is 90 mL, and 4 oz is 120 mL. Write that ladder on a sticky note near the sink and mixing feels simpler.
When measuring powder, level each scoop with a clean knife edge. Count the scoops out loud so you don’t lose track. If you spill powder after adding water, start over. The water-to-powder ratio matters for hydration and calories, so match the label line by line.
Daily Totals By Weight (2.5 oz Per Pound Rule)
This rule from pediatric guidance makes planning easy. Multiply your baby’s weight in pounds by 2.5 to get a ballpark for the day, and keep the grand total near 32 ounces. Adjust up or down based on cues and growth.
| Baby Weight | Daily Total (oz) | Daily Total (mL) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 lb | 12.5 oz | 370 mL |
| 6 lb | 15 oz | 445 mL |
| 7 lb | 17.5 oz | 520 mL |
| 8 lb | 20 oz | 590 mL |
| 9 lb | 22.5 oz | 665 mL |
| 10 lb | 25 oz | 740 mL |
| 11 lb | 27.5 oz | 815 mL |
| 12 lb | 30 oz | 885 mL |
The math is a guide, not a hard rule. Some days run higher, others lower. Growth and diaper counts tell the real story. Six or more wet diapers and steady weight gain are the usual signs that intake fits your baby.
When Amounts Change Quickly
Growth spurts come in waves, often near weeks 2–3 and again around week 6. On those days your baby may ask for more frequent pours or empty bottles faster. Offer more when cues say so, then step back to the usual range when the surge passes. If longer stretches appear overnight after a surge, daytime bottles may need a small bump to keep totals steady.
Safe Prep And Storage
Clean hands, clean bottles, and the right water keep formula safe at home. Use ready-to-feed as is. For powder or concentrate, match the scoop and water lines on the label exactly. Do not thin formula to make it last longer. Mix, cool quickly, and use a fresh bottle within 2 hours at room temp or store in the fridge and use within 24 hours. See the CDC’s formula preparation and storage steps for timings, water choices, and cleaning tips.
Warm bottles safely. Skip the microwave. Place the bottle in warm water, swirl, and test on your wrist. Discard any formula left in the bottle after a feed since mouth bacteria can grow in leftovers.
How Often Should A Newborn Drink Formula?
Early on, many babies eat every 2–3 hours around the clock. As the first month closes, spacing often moves toward every 3–4 hours with larger pours. Daytime feeds sometimes bunch together in the late afternoon or evening, then space out overnight. Follow the pattern your baby sets while keeping total intake in range.
Sample 24-Hour Intake Scenarios
Every newborn writes a slightly different script. Here are three common patterns that still land in a healthy daily total. Scenario A: eight feeds of 2–3 ounces spread across the day and night, landing near 18–20 ounces. Scenario B: seven feeds with several 3-ounce bottles and one 4-ounce bottle before bed, landing near 22–24 ounces. Scenario C: six feeds of 3–4 ounces each after the first few weeks, landing near 24–28 ounces. If your running tally climbs above 32 ounces or keeps falling short of 16–18 ounces in the second and third weeks, check cues, slow the pace, and reach out to your pediatrician.
Overfeeding Vs Underfeeding Signs
Too much at once can lead to gagging, coughing, frequent spit-up, belly firmness, and fussing that looks more uncomfortable than hungry. Throttle back the pour size, slow the nipple, and add pauses. Too little shows up as sleepy feeding with weak sucking, fewer wet diapers, and short feeds that end in crying. Offer a bit more per bottle, try a calmer room, and burp mid-feed to reset.
Formula Changes And Growth
Standard cow’s milk formula works for most babies. If your baby is born early, has low birth weight, or your doctor has flagged a medical need, a specialty formula or calorie density may be prescribed. Don’t switch brands or types due to gas alone. Many newborns pass gas often as the gut learns. If stools carry blood, rashes spread, or vomiting is persistent, your pediatrician can guide the next step.
Signs To Call Your Pediatrician
Seek help fast for poor feeding with signs of illness, fewer than 4 wet diapers by day four, no weight gain after the early post-birth dip, repeated forceful vomits, or stools with blood. If reflux, gas, or fussing make feeds hard day after day, ask your pediatrician to review your plan. Small tweaks to pour size, nipple flow, or pacing can make a big difference.