Most newborns start at 5–7 mL per feed on day 1, rise to 22–27 mL by day 3, 45–60 mL by week 1, and 60–90 mL (2–3 oz) by the end of week 2.
Newborn milk intake basics
Every baby is different, yet intake follows a steady arc in the first weeks. Stomach capacity is tiny early on, so feeds are small and frequent. By the second week, most babies take larger, more predictable amounts at each session. Responsive feeding—offering milk when baby shows hunger cues and pausing when baby shows fullness—works well for breastmilk or formula. Authoritative guides from the CDC on breastfeeding frequency and the AAP on formula give helpful guardrails.
Typical intake per feeding by age
Use the ranges below as a starting point. Babies may sit a bit below or above these numbers and still thrive, if growth and diapers look good.
| Age | Average per feed | What it looks like |
|---|---|---|
| First 24 hours | 5–7 mL (about 1–1.5 tsp) | Small sips of colostrum; 8–12 feeds in a day |
| Day 2–3 | 15–30 mL (0.5–1 oz) | Still frequent; more audible swallows |
| End of week 1 | 45–60 mL (1.5–2 oz) | Feeds space out a little; stronger sucks |
| Week 2 | 60–90 mL (2–3 oz) | Many babies settle near 2–3 oz per feed |
| Weeks 3–4 | 75–120 mL (2.5–4 oz) | Intake climbs; some cluster feed in the evening |
How much milk per feed for newborns: safe ranges
Breastfed and formula-fed babies often land in similar ranges after the first week. Daily totals near 400–800 mL in the first month are common, spread across 8–12 sessions for many breastfed babies and 7–8 bottles for many formula-fed babies. The right amount for your baby matches hunger cues, keeps diapers flowing, and keeps weight gain on track.
Breastfeeding volumes in the early days
Colostrum is rich and comes in small amounts. As mature milk arrives, per-feed volume rises quickly. Expect 8–12 nursing sessions each day in the first two weeks. If you bottle feed expressed milk, many newborns in weeks 2–4 take 60–90 mL per bottle, with brief bursts above that at times.
Formula amounts across the first month
Formula portions often start near 30–60 mL in the first week and move toward 90–120 mL by the end of the month. Many babies settle into every 3–4 hours once birth weight is regained. A cap near 32 ounces a day is common advice in this stage.
How often should a newborn eat?
Most newborns feed at least 8 times in 24 hours. Some eat 10–12 times in the first week, then settle to 8–10 feeds by the end of the month. Long sleepy stretches can show on day 1; more waking and cluster feeding often arrive on day 2–3. Night feeds are expected.
Responsive feeding rhythms
Watch baby, not the clock. Offer milk when you see early cues like stirring, hand-to-mouth, or rooting. Let baby pause or stop when cues say “I’m done,” such as relaxed hands, turning away, or slipping off the nipple. This approach helps match supply to appetite for chest-feeding and helps avoid overfilling with bottles.
Bottle skills that protect pace
Whether you use expressed milk or formula, pacing keeps flows gentle while baby learns to coordinate suck-swallow-breathe. Hold the bottle more horizontal so gravity doesn’t flood the mouth. Pause after every few swallows and switch sides. Pick a slow-flow nipple that matches skills, not the number on the package.
Right-sizing bottles
Smaller bottles help you pour realistic portions. For weeks 2–4, many families use 90–120 mL bottles during the day and 60–90 mL at night. If baby signals hunger after finishing, offer a little more; if milk remains after most feeds, prepare a bit less next time to cut waste.
Hunger and fullness cues you can trust
Cues come before tears. Crying is late. The table below lists common signals and simple responses.
| Cue | What you’ll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Early hunger | Eyes flutter, hand-to-mouth, rooting | Offer breast or bottle |
| Active hunger | Strong sucks on hands, lip smacking, fussing | Start a feed now; keep the room calm |
| Fullness | Open hands, relaxed body, slowing sucks | Pause; burp; end the feed if baby turns away |
| Overfull | Arching, spitting up, coughing on the bottle | Stop the feed; try smaller portions and slower flow next time |
Diapers and weight: simple reality checks
By day 4–5, many babies have at least six wet diapers a day and regular yellow stools if nursing is established. Formula-fed stools may be darker and less frequent. Weight usually dips a little at first and returns to birth weight by about two weeks. If diapers or gain trail off, call your baby’s clinician for a prompt check.
Fine-tuning for common situations
Sleepy day-one baby
Skin-to-skin helps rouse a slow starter. Offer the breast often. If using formula on day 1, keep volumes small, near 5–10 mL at a time, and reassess often.
Day two “wow, so hungry”
Appetite surges as milk moves in. Feed early and often. Expect frequent cues and short gaps between sessions. This flurry usually settles as supply rises.
Spitting up after bottles
Try slower nipples, more pauses, and smaller portions. Keep baby upright for 20–30 minutes after feeds. Many babies spit up at times yet feel fine and gain well.
Growth spurts
Short bursts of extra hunger can show up any week. Offer an extra ounce in a bottle, or add a nursing session or two. Appetite usually returns to baseline in a day or two.
Safety pointers that matter every day
Formula prep
Follow the label exactly. Use clean water, the scoop that comes with the tin, and level scoops. Mix fresh bottles when possible and discard leftovers after 1 hour since saliva introduces bacteria.
Expressed milk handling
Refrigerate promptly after pumping. When warming, use warm water instead of a microwave. Swirl to mix the creamy layer. Once a bottle touches baby’s mouth, use it within about 2 hours or discard.
Safe sleep after feeds
Babies sleep safest on their backs on a flat, bare sleep surface. Avoid propping bottles. Keep feeding spots free of pillows and soft blankets.
When to talk to a clinician
Seek a same-day visit for fewer than four wet diapers after day 3, persistent vomiting, fever, hard-to-wake sleepiness, or if baby hasn’t regained birth weight by the end of week 2. Reach out sooner anytime feeding feels painful, stressful, or confusing—early help makes feeds smoother for everyone.
What shapes intake in the first month
Many factors shape per-feed volume: birth weight, gestation, latch and transfer for nursing, flow and nipple design for bottles, and how baby feels after birth. Coordination of suck-swallow-breathe also takes practice. Since these vary, wide ranges by day are normal.
Formula by body weight
As a loose daily guide for formula, many clinicians use about 2½ ounces per pound per day, with a ceiling near 32 ounces. This rule of thumb from the AAP helps you size bottles; it is not a target to chase. Let appetite swing a little from feed to feed.
A sample day in weeks 2–4
Think of this as a sketch. Morning: two feeds about 2–3 hours apart, 60–90 mL each. Midday: one or two feeds of 75–105 mL. Evening: a short cluster of two feeds, then one longer stretch. Overnight: two feeds of 60–90 mL. Adjust up or down as diapers and growth look steady.
Burping basics
Gas can cut a feed short. Pause midway and again at the end. Try upright against your chest, over the shoulder, or seated with your hand steadying the chin. Gentle pats help. If a burp doesn’t come in a minute, move on.
Breastmilk, formula, and safe handling
Clean hands, clean bottles, and accurate mixing keep feeds safe. Prepared formula should be used within 2 hours, and once feeding starts, discard any leftovers after 1 hour. Expressed milk has its own timelines; once a warmed bottle touches baby’s mouth, use it within about 2 hours. Check trusted public-health pages for storage times and handling steps.
Special cases
Late preterm or small babies
Babies born a bit early or small may tire quickly at the breast or take longer with bottles. Offer more frequent, smaller feeds. If weight checks show slow gain, your clinician may suggest fortified milk or extra bottles while nursing skills grow.
Reflux and spit-ups
Plenty of babies spit up. If your little one seems content, breathes easily, and grows well, you can usually keep going with smaller, paced portions and upright time after feeds. Worrisome signs include poor weight gain, green or bloody spit-up, or arching with distress—those call for a prompt visit.
When nursing hurts
Pain often points to latch or positioning. Try new holds, keep baby’s belly facing yours, and aim for a wide mouth and deep latch. If nipples crack or feeds stay painful, ask your baby’s clinician for hands-on help.
Quick recap: newborn milk amounts
Day 1: 5–7 mL per feed. Day 3: around 22–27 mL. End of week 1: 45–60 mL. Weeks 2–4: 60–120 mL, usually 8–12 feeds daily. Let cues lead the way, use gentle pacing for bottles, and watch diapers and growth for feedback. With time, you and your baby will settle into a rhythm. Trust your baby’s cues every single day.