Most newborns take 1–2 oz (30–60 mL) per feed in week one, rising to 2–4 oz by weeks 2–4; breastfed babies nurse 8–12 times daily.
New parents always ask the same thing at 2 a.m.: “Is my baby getting enough?” The good news is that healthy babies are built to tell you when they’re hungry and when they’re full. You can use simple guardrails—typical ounces per feed, normal feeding rhythm, and diaper output—to keep feeds calm and steady.
Newborn Milk Per Feed: Typical Ounces By Age
These are ballpark ranges for healthy, term babies. Bottle amounts come from pediatric guidance, and nursing frequency reflects national public-health advice. Always follow your baby’s cues.
| Age | Typical Per Feed | Usual Feeds/24h |
|---|---|---|
| First week | 1–2 oz (30–60 mL) | 8–12 |
| Weeks 2–4 | 2–4 oz (60–120 mL) | 8–12 |
| 1–2 months | 3–4 oz (90–120 mL) | 7–9 |
For bottle feeds, the American Academy of Pediatrics notes 1–2 oz per feed in week one, building to 3–4 oz by about one month, with a daily cap near 32 oz and the rule of 2½ oz per pound per day. You can read that guidance on the AAP’s family site, HealthyChildren.org. For nursing families, the CDC’s page “How Much and How Often to Breastfeed” describes 8–12 feeds in 24 hours and many 1–3 hour intervals in the early days.
Why Amounts Change Across The First Month
Day one starts small, then intake quickly ramps up. Colostrum comes in tiny volumes but packs dense nutrition. As mature milk arrives and the stomach stretches, most babies move from sips to ounces. Bottle totals become more predictable by the end of the first month. Nursing sessions also lengthen, with some short “snacks” and some deeper feeds.
Week One: Lots Of Small, Frequent Feeds
Expect brief, frequent sessions. Many babies take 1–2 oz from a bottle at this stage. Nursing often—about every 1–3 hours—helps milk supply and gives your baby practice at sucking and swallowing.
Weeks Two To Four: More Ounces, Longer Stretches
Many babies settle into 2–4 oz per bottle, with feeds every 2–4 hours. Some stretches at night may reach 4–5 hours. Growth spurts can bring flurries of “cluster feeds,” where your baby stacks several feeds close together in the evening.
Breastfeeding Versus Bottle: What Changes
Breastfed babies tend to take smaller volumes per sitting and feed a little more often. Bottle-fed babies often take larger, more spaced-out meals. Both patterns can be normal. Watch your baby, not the clock.
Breastfeeding: Follow Baby, Not The Ounce Mark
At the breast, you won’t see ounces. That’s okay. Look for steady swallowing during the active part of a feed, relaxed hands and body near the end, and a sleepy, content look afterward. Aim for 8–12 feeds per day early on.
Bottle Tips That Keep Intake On Track
- Use a slow-flow nipple and hold the bottle more horizontal to pace the feed.
- Offer pauses every few minutes so your baby can breathe and decide if they want more.
- Stop when you see relaxed hands, slower sucking, or turning away.
Hunger And Fullness Cues You Can Trust
Babies also talk with body language. Early hunger cues include rooting, hands to mouth, and gentle fussing. Crying is a late cue. During a feed, steady swallows and relaxed shoulders mean milk is flowing. Signs of fullness include open palms, a soft body, and letting the nipple fall out. If you see those signs, end the feed—even if the bottle isn’t empty.
Daily Totals: A Simple Way To Double-Check
While the question is “how much per feeding,” daily patterns also help. Formula totals often land between 16 and 24 oz in the first weeks, rising toward the upper 20s to low 30s as the month closes. Breastfed daily volume varies by baby and by day; frequency and diapers are your best gauges.
| Baby Weight | Est. Daily Formula | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 lb (2.7 kg) | ~15 oz (450 mL) | Rule: ~2½ oz/lb/day |
| 8 lb (3.6 kg) | ~20 oz (600 mL) | Watch hunger cues |
| 10 lb (4.5 kg) | ~25 oz (750 mL) | Upper daily cap ~32 oz |
Diaper Output: Easy Proof That Intake Is On Track
From day four onward, six or more wet diapers in 24 hours is a reassuring sign. Stools shift from meconium to mustard-yellow in the first week on human milk. Formula stools may look tan or brown. Steady weight gain over time ties the picture together.
Night Feeds And Sleep Windows
In the first weeks, many babies still need one or two night feeds. If a newborn goes 4–5 hours without eating in week one, offer a feed. Later, some babies start giving you a longer stretch at night. Other babies keep a steady rhythm around the clock for a while. Both patterns are also common.
Signs Feeding Is Going Well
- Your baby wakes for feeds and settles afterward.
- You hear or see regular swallows during the active part of a feed.
- Six or more wets after day four, plus regular stools.
- Breasts feel softer after nursing, or bottles empty at a steady pace.
- Growth checks track along a curve at well visits.
When Ounces Look Low Or High
If Feeds Seem Small
Check latch and positioning, and feed more often. For bottles, pace the feed and allow time to wake fully. Skin-to-skin time can boost feeding cues and milk flow. If your baby still seems unsatisfied, call your baby’s doctor or a lactation specialist for tailored help.
If Feeds Seem Large
Babies sometimes over-drink from fast bottle nipples. Try a slower flow and add breaks. End the feed when you see fullness signs, even if the bottle still holds milk. For formula, stay under about 32 oz per day unless your pediatrician gives a different plan.
Pumping, Measured Bottles, And Mixed Feeding
If you pump, early sessions may yield small amounts. That’s normal. Milk supply grows with frequent, effective removal. Combine direct nursing with pumping if you’re building a freezer stash or going back to work. For mixed feeding, keep bottle sizes modest—2–3 oz—so you don’t replace a full nursing session unless that’s the plan.
Preterm, Low Birth Weight, Or Jaundice
Some babies need a different plan. Preterm or smaller babies may tire faster and take longer to finish. Babies being treated for jaundice often do better with extra feeds to keep fluids and stools moving. Your care team can tailor a schedule and amounts to your baby’s needs.
Common Pitfalls That Shrink Intake
Long swaddles between feeds can mute hunger cues. Tight swaddles during feeds can block hand-to-mouth signaling and slow the reflex that starts milk flow. A fast bottle nipple can flood a small mouth and lead to early stops. A nipple that’s too slow can make a baby give up before they take what they want. Short, gentle pauses and upright holds keep things smooth.
Burping, Spit-Up, And Comfort
Pause for a burp when the pace slows or halfway through a bottle. Spit-up can look dramatic on a shirt but often comes with no distress. If your baby arches, coughs, or seems in pain, speak with your pediatrician about ways to make feeds gentler, such as smaller, paced volumes and more upright holds.
Feeding Log Basics That Help
Short notes can be handy in the first weeks: start time, side or bottle amount, and wet/dirty diapers. A simple log makes patterns easier to see and helps you share clear details at checkups. Drop the log once feeds feel easy.
Safe Bottle Prep And Serving
Wash hands, use sterilized bottles, and follow the mixing directions on the tin. Use water at the right temperature for powdered formula, let bottles cool before serving, and discard any milk left after a feed. Don’t prop bottles or add cereal to a bottle.
Sample Day: Putting It All Together
Here’s a calm, real-world pattern for a 3-week-old who is taking both breast and bottle. Your day won’t match this exactly; use it as a menu of ideas.
Morning
Wake, diaper, nurse on both sides. Offer a small top-off bottle only if baby still shows hunger cues. Burp, cuddle, and nap.
Midday
Nurse again after 2–3 hours. If using a bottle, pour 2–3 oz and pace. Take a walk, then watch for early cues.
Afternoon
Another feed, then longer contact naps. Prepare bottles ahead so you’re not measuring while your baby is crying.
Evening
Expect cluster feeding. Keep bottles small, 2–3 oz at a time, and pace. Share cuddles and skin-to-skin with your partner.
Overnight
One or two feeds after 3–4 hour stretches. Keep lights low and burp gently to ease everyone back to sleep.
When To Call The Doctor
- Fewer than six wet diapers per day after day four.
- Hard stools, dark urine, or a dry mouth.
- Sleepiness so deep that feeds are hard to start.
- Fast breathing, bluish color, or poor tone during feeds.
- Lack of weight gain, or sharp drops in intake.
Extras Parents Ask About
Some babies keep sucking after fullness because sucking soothes. Use paced bottle techniques and stop when fullness signs appear.
There isn’t a single ounce target for nursing. Use frequency, swallows, diapers, and growth to steer. Pumped bottles in the early weeks often sit in the 1–3 oz range.
Pacifiers can help between feeds. Many nursing families wait until latch feels steady before introducing one.
You’ve got this—follow your baby, keep feeds calm, and use checkups to watch steady growth together day by day.
Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics on per-feed and daily formula amounts; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on normal feeding frequency and newborn cues.