In the first weeks, many newborns take 1–3 oz (30–90 mL) per feed, rising to 2–4 oz (60–120 mL) by weeks 2–4, guided by hunger and satiety cues.
At A Glance: Feeds And Ounces By Age
Amounts shift fast during the first month. Use these ranges as a starting point, then let your baby lead the way with early hunger cues and relaxed, satisfied cues after feeds.
| Age | Feeds/24h | Typical Per Feed |
|---|---|---|
| Day 0–1 | 8–12 | 1–10 mL (small sips of colostrum) |
| Days 2–3 | 8–12 | 15–30 mL (0.5–1 oz) |
| End of Week 1 | 8–12 | 45–60 mL (1.5–2 oz) |
| Weeks 2–4 | 8–12 breast / every 3–4 h formula | 60–120 mL (2–4 oz) |
How Much Milk A Newborn Drinks Per Feed: What Changes In Weeks 1–4
Day 1. Most babies take tiny volumes of thick colostrum. Sucking often protects blood sugars and helps move meconium. Small, frequent feeds match a tiny tummy and prime supply.
Days 2–3. Intake grows as milk volume builds. You may notice more swallowing and longer spells at the breast or a full ounce from a bottle. Waking for feeds remains normal.
End of week 1. Many babies handle 1.5–2 oz per feed. Pumping parents often see that range in bottles. Some feeds run shorter, others longer. The pattern still looks variable.
Weeks 2–4. Intake per feed usually lands between 2–4 oz. Formula bottles often space to every 3–4 hours, while breastfed babies still nurse 8–12 times across the day and night.
Breastfeeding Versus Formula: What To Expect
Breastfed babies tend to eat more often since human milk digests fast. The rhythm often falls near 8–12 feeds per day during the first weeks. That frequency is normal and supports supply. The CDC breastfeeding frequency page explains this pattern and signs that intake is on track.
Formula amounts feel easier to count. During the first week, many babies take 1–2 oz per bottle. Across the first month, bottles climb toward 3–4 oz, with daily totals near 24–32 oz. The AAP guidance sets a common upper limit of 32 oz in 24 hours and shares a handy rule of thumb for daily volume based on weight.
Follow Baby Cues, Not Just Numbers
Numbers help, but your baby’s cues tell the real story. Early hunger cues include stirring, hand to mouth, rooting, or soft fussing. Late hunger looks like hard crying. Try to feed before crying when latching or pacing a bottle feels tougher.
Satiety cues look like relaxed hands, slower sucking, milk dribbling from the corner of the mouth, or turning away. When you see these, pause, burp, and offer the other breast or a bit more only if interest returns.
If cues feel mixed, pause, burp, change sides or pace the bottle, then watch for renewed interest again.
Some babies bunch feeds close together in the evening, then sleep a longer stretch. That cluster pattern can show up in the second or third week and settles with time.
Reality Checks By Age
Day 0–1: Tiny Sips, Many Latches
Colostrum arrives in teaspoons, yet it packs dense energy and immune factors. Expect frequent latching, skin-to-skin time, and diaper output that starts small. Sleepy periods happen, so offer the breast or a small bottle often.
Days 2–3: Volume Rising
Swallows sound stronger, diapers pick up, and weight may still track down a bit before turning the corner. Keep feeds coming 8–12 times per day. If using bottles, 0.5–1 oz sips add up over a day.
End Of Week 1: Hitting 1.5–2 Oz
Your baby likely shows a steadier wake-and-eat rhythm. Pumped bottles often land near 1.5–2 oz now. Burp midway and at the end. Pace the bottle with pauses to match a natural flow.
Weeks 2–4: 2–4 Oz Feels Typical
Feeds stretch a bit in length and in volume. Many babies finish 2–4 oz without strain. Watch the baby, not the bottle, and stop when you see relaxed hands, slower suck, and calm behavior.
Daily Totals: What Adds Up Over 24 Hours
Across the first month, many babies fall between 20–32 oz per day from breastmilk or formula. Breastfed babies reach the daily total with frequent sessions; bottle-fed babies get there with larger, spaced volumes. If daily intake starts to push past 32 oz, check whether faster nipples or long awake gaps are driving extra intake.
Weight-Based Math For Bottles
A simple rule many pediatricians use for formula is 2.5 oz per pound of body weight per day, capped at about 32 oz. You can split that daily amount by the number of feeds your baby takes.
| Baby Weight | Daily Total (oz/mL) | Example Feed Plan |
|---|---|---|
| 6 lb (2.7 kg) | ~15 oz / 450 mL | 10 feeds × 1.5 oz |
| 8 lb (3.6 kg) | ~20 oz / 600 mL | 8 feeds × 2.5 oz |
| 10 lb (4.5 kg) | ~25 oz / 750 mL | 8 feeds × 3 oz |
| 12 lb (5.4 kg) | ~30 oz / 900 mL | 8 feeds × 3.75 oz |
This math guides bottle prep; it isn’t a must-hit score. Growth, diapers, and calm after feeds paint the best picture of intake.
Signs Intake Is On Track
From day five, wet diapers usually climb to six or more in 24 hours, with frequent stools for many breastfed babies. Skin looks springy, lips stay moist, and your baby wakes for feeds on a regular rhythm.
Steady weight gain after the first week supports that intake matches needs. Your care team checks this at newborn visits and helps fine-tune feeding if needed.
Bottles, Nipples, And Pace
Small bottles (2–5 oz) suit the first month. Use slow-flow nipples and hold the bottle near horizontal so your baby controls the pace. Pause every few minutes for a breath and a burp, then resume if the suck resumes with interest.
When combining chestfeeding and bottles, pace helps protect comfort at the breast and lowers the chance of over-feeding from a fast bottle.
Breastfeeding And Pumped Milk Amounts
If you pump for a missed session in the first month, expect bottles in the 1.5–3 oz range. Many parents find that several small bottles fit newborn needs better than a few large ones. Label dates and volumes, and feed the oldest milk first.
If output seems lower than expected, frequent skin-to-skin time, more latches, and an extra pumping session can help signal the body to make more milk. A lactation professional can help with flange fit and pump settings.
When To Wake A Sleepy Newborn
During the first two weeks, many babies need gentle waking if three hours pass in the day or four to five hours pass overnight without a feed. Once weight gain looks steady and your clinician is happy with growth, longer stretches at night start to make sense.
Red Flags Worth A Call
Call your baby’s clinician if feeds are fewer than eight in 24 hours during the first weeks, if fewer than six wets appear after day four, if stools stay scant, or if weight trends down. Hard crying after most feeds, repeated spit-ups with poor weight gain, or long, deep sleep that keeps your baby from waking to eat all warrant a prompt check-in.
Bottom Line For New Parents
Newborn feeding isn’t one-size-fits-all. In the first days, think teaspoons and frequent latches. By the end of week one, many babies take 1.5–2 oz. Through weeks 2–4, most settle around 2–4 oz per feed and about 20–32 oz per day. Let cues lead, keep an eye on diapers and growth, and shape bottle sizes to your baby, not the other way around.