On day 1, feeds are 1–2 teaspoons; by days 2–3, ½–1 oz; by week 1, 1½–2 oz; by weeks 2–4, 2–3 oz across roughly 8–12 feeds daily.
Newborn Milk Per Feeding: Quick Baseline
New babies feed often. Tiny tummies fill fast and empty fast. That means many small feeds around the clock. Breastfed and formula-fed babies both follow this pattern during the first weeks.
Across day one to week four, typical single-feed volumes climb from teaspoons to a few ounces. Frequency stays high, usually 8–12 feeds in 24 hours. The figures below come from trusted public health guidance and reflect a healthy range, not a rigid target. Day and night, too.
| Age | Typical Amount Per Feed | Usual Feeds/24 h |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 1–2 teaspoons (5–10 mL) of colostrum | 10–12 |
| Days 2–3 | ½–1 oz (15–30 mL) | 8–12 |
| End of week 1 | 1½–2 oz (45–60 mL) | 8–12 |
| Weeks 2–4 | 2–3 oz (60–90 mL) | 8–12 |
For breastfeeding timing and cues, see the CDC breastfeeding guide. For total daily formula volumes after the first week, the NHS uses a weight-based range per kilogram each day; details sit in their formula milk Q&A.
How Much Milk Does A Newborn Eat Per Feed: Real Numbers
Day 1. The belly is small, and colostrum is thick and rich. Many babies take one to two teaspoons at a time. That looks tiny, yet it fits the capacity well and delivers antibodies and energy.
Days 2–3. Intake rises to about half an ounce to one ounce per feed. Some babies ask to feed again soon after. That helps milk supply build and keeps blood sugar stable.
End of week 1. Stomach capacity reaches roughly 1½ to 2 ounces. Feeds still come often. Many babies mix short “snack” feeds with fuller feeds.
Weeks 2–4. Two to three ounces per feed is common. Growth is rapid in this stretch. Expect cluster periods in the evening or a growth spurt that briefly increases demand.
Breastfeeding Patterns In The First Month
Plan on 8–12 nursing sessions per day. Some sessions are longer, some shorter. Watch the baby, not the clock. Early feeding cues include stirring, hand-to-mouth movements, lip smacking, and rooting. Crying comes late in the sequence and can make latching harder.
Spacing varies. A newborn might nurse twice in ninety minutes, then sleep a longer block. That is normal. Supply adapts to this rhythm when feeds are frequent and comfortable.
When pumping for a bottle, aim for small bottles at first. Two ounces is a handy size in week one, moving toward three ounces by the end of the month. Paced bottle feeding helps babies pause, breathe, and sense fullness. Hold the bottle more horizontal, take breaks, and switch sides mid-feed so baby sets the tempo.
Formula Feeding: Per Feed And Per Day
In the first days, start with 1–2 ounces every 2–3 hours and adjust to hunger cues. By the end of the first week, many babies settle into a total daily range based on body weight. A widely used range is 150–200 mL per kilogram of weight per day from the end of week one through the first months. Spread that across feeds that suit your baby’s rhythm.
This weight-based range keeps bottles sized for comfort while meeting calorie needs. It also leaves room for growth spurts. If your baby still shows clear hunger cues after finishing a bottle, offer a little more. If they turn away, relax their hands, or doze off, the feed can end even if milk remains in the bottle.
Reading Hunger And Fullness Cues
Hunger cues: stirring from sleep, rooting, hands to mouth, quiet fussing. Fullness cues: relaxed hands, slower sucking, sealing lips, head turning, or drowsiness. Pace bottles so a baby can show these signals before the bottle is empty.
Are They Getting Enough? Growth And Diapers
Output tells a clear story. By day 4–5, most babies pass six or more wet diapers each day. Stools shift from black meconium to brown, then to mustard-yellow and seedy on human milk. Bottle-fed babies tend to have firmer, tan stools. Steady weight gain and content periods between feeds are reassuring signs.
Call the doctor without delay if you see fewer wet diapers after day five, excessively sleepy feeding, poor latch, persistent vomiting, or weight loss near or beyond ten percent of birth weight. Those signs need prompt care.
Sample Day Plans That Still Follow Baby’s Lead
First Week Sample
Nursing or bottles every two to three hours. Aim for both sides when nursing, with gentle burp breaks. If using bottles, pour 1–1½ ounces for the first part of the week and 1½–2 ounces toward the end of the week.
Weeks 2–4 Sample
Feed about every three hours, with one cluster period most evenings. Breast milk bottles of 2–3 ounces suit many babies here. Formula bottles in the same range also fit well unless your weight-based daily target calls for a touch more.
Second Table: Daily Formula Range By Weight
The table below converts the 150–200 mL per kilogram per day range into ounces for common newborn weights. Use it to size the day, not to force a bottle. Split the daily total into 8–12 feeds, then adjust to cues.
| Baby Weight | 150 mL/kg/day (oz/day) | 200 mL/kg/day (oz/day) |
|---|---|---|
| 2.7 kg (6.0 lb) | 405 mL (13.7 oz) | 540 mL (18.3 oz) |
| 3.2 kg (7.0 lb) | 480 mL (16.2 oz) | 640 mL (21.6 oz) |
| 3.6 kg (7.9 lb) | 540 mL (18.3 oz) | 720 mL (24.3 oz) |
| 4.1 kg (9.0 lb) | 615 mL (20.8 oz) | 820 mL (27.7 oz) |
| 4.5 kg (9.9 lb) | 675 mL (22.8 oz) | 900 mL (30.4 oz) |
Troubleshooting Common Snags
Sleepy Baby
Skin-to-skin time, a gentle diaper change, and a cheek tickle can wake a newborn enough to feed. Keep the room dim so feeds stay calm.
Fast Bottles
If milk pours out fast, babies gulp air and tire. Try a slower teat, keep the bottle level, and pause often. Switch sides to rest the neck and mirror the flow of nursing.
Gassy Or Spitty
Frequent burp breaks help. Aim the bottle nipple to keep it full of milk and limit air intake. If spit-up soaks outfits or seems forceful, talk with your pediatrician.
Growth Spurts
Short bursts of near-hourly feeds are common at the end of week one and again around week three. Supply and appetite catch up within a day or two.
Safety Notes You Can Trust
- Mix formula exactly as labeled and use safe water. Discard any leftover bottle within two hours of starting a feed.
- Do not prop bottles. Hold your baby and keep the head slightly raised.
- Offer vitamin D per your pediatrician’s advice if your baby receives human milk.
- Track diapers in the early days. Six or more wets after day five is a good target.
Night Feeds And Daytime Rhythms
Newborn sleep comes in short bursts. Most babies wake to feed at night because tiny bellies cannot store large meals yet. Overnight feeds often come every two to three hours with an occasional longer stretch. Keep lights low, change diapers only as needed, and keep chats brief. In the day, wake for feeds if a nap passes three hours in the first weeks. That keeps intake steady and helps day-night patterns settle.
Some families track feeds with a simple note on the phone. Time, side used, and amount if a bottle was given are enough. The goal is not a strict schedule. The goal is to spot trends and catch early hunger cues before crying starts. Most babies fall into a familiar cadence by the end of the first month.
Breast Milk, Formula, And Digestion
Human milk moves through the stomach faster than formula. That is one reason breastfed babies ask to eat a bit more often. The flip side is that bottles can deliver milk quicker than the breast, which sometimes masks fullness cues. Paced bottle feeding closes that gap by slowing the flow and giving breaks. Many parents find that babies finish bottles more calmly and spit up less when feeds follow this style.
Another point many parents notice: growth spurts. A baby who seemed settled at 2 ounces can want 3 ounces one evening and then go back to smaller feeds the next day. That swing is normal. Offer more when cues are clear, then scale back when they fade. Growth across weeks matters more than any single feed.
Bottle Prep And Storage Basics
Wash hands and gear before each prep. Follow directions on the tin for powder-to-water ratios and use water that meets local safety rules. Swirl to mix; shaking builds bubbles that add to gassiness.
Fresh breast milk keeps at room temp for a few hours, longer in the fridge, and even longer when frozen. Label pumped milk with the date and store in 2–4 ounce portions to cut waste. Once a bottle touches a baby’s mouth, plan to use it within two hours. When in doubt, throw it out.
Quick Recap
Most newborns eat little and often. Think 1–2 teaspoons on day one, ½–1 ounce on days 2–3, 1½–2 ounces by the end of week one, and 2–3 ounces through weeks 2–4. Keep to about 8–12 feeds daily. For breast milk, feed on cue and expect cluster stretches. For formula after week one, a daily total near 150–200 mL per kilogram of body weight split across the day suits many babies. Watch your baby’s signals and talk with your doctor if feeding feels off. If worries linger, call your pediatrician or midwife for specific advice, sooner than later.