Newborn milk intake starts near 1–2 oz per feed in the first days and climbs toward about 24–32 oz per day over the first month.
Those early days bring tiny tummies, frequent feeds, and lots of questions. This guide keeps it simple. You’ll learn what a newborn usually drinks by day and by week, how often to offer the breast or bottle, and quick ways to spot hunger and fullness. You’ll also find two handy tables you can print or screenshot for your fridge.
How Much Milk Should A Newborn Drink Per Day?
In the first 24–72 hours, most babies take just 1–2 ounces (30–60 mL) every 2–3 hours, often 8–12 times in 24 hours. As stomach capacity grows across the first week, single feeds get larger and the time between feeds stretches a little. By about 2–4 weeks, many babies are taking 3–4 ounces (90–120 mL) per bottle, with a total day’s intake in the 18–32 ounce (540–960 mL) range depending on weight, pace, and feeding method.
If you’re using infant formula, a common rule of thumb is about 2.5 ounces (75 mL) per pound of body weight per day, with an upper guide near 32 ounces daily for most babies. Breastfed babies tend to feed more often, especially at first, because milk moves through the stomach faster. Either way, watch your baby, not the clock—cues beat math.
Newborn Milk Volumes At A Glance
The ranges below are typical, not targets. Some feeds will be short “snacks,” others longer “meals.”
| Age | Per-Feed Average | Feeds Per 24h / Daily Ballpark |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1–2 | 1–2 oz (30–60 mL) | 8–12 feeds; 10–20 oz/day (300–600 mL) |
| Day 3–6 | 1.5–2.5 oz (45–75 mL) | 8–12 feeds; 14–24 oz/day (420–720 mL) |
| Week 1–2 | 2–3 oz (60–90 mL) | 7–10 feeds; 16–26 oz/day (480–780 mL) |
| Weeks 2–4 | 3–4 oz (90–120 mL) | 6–8 feeds; 20–32 oz/day (600–960 mL) |
For official guidance on bottle volumes and daily totals, see the CDC’s page on formula amounts and timing and the American Academy of Pediatrics’ overview of formula amounts by weight.
Breastfeeding: What To Expect In The First Weeks
Most newborns nurse 8–12 times per day in the beginning. Colostrum is small in volume and packed with goodness; frequent latching helps milk come in and keeps supply on track. By the second week, many breastfed babies settle into 8–10 feeds per day with a steady total intake across the day.
Once milk supply is established, a typical full-term baby between 1 and 6 months takes roughly 19–30 ounces (570–900 mL) of breast milk across 24 hours. Since intake stays fairly steady in this stretch, bottle size for expressed milk is based on how many feeds you expect. For eight feeds, that works out to about 2.5–4 ounces (75–120 mL) per bottle; for six feeds, closer to 3.5–5 ounces (105–150 mL).
Paced Bottle Feeds For Expressed Milk
Using a slow-flow nipple, holding the bottle more horizontal, and offering pauses lets babies self-regulate. Aim for 10–20 minutes per bottle, with gentle burp breaks. This slows chugging and reduces overfeeds.
Formula Feeding: Daily Amounts And Patterns
Formula digests a bit slower than human milk, so formula-fed newborns may take slightly larger single feeds and space them a little farther apart after the first week. The 2.5 ounces per pound per day guide is handy: a 7-pound baby often lands near 17–20 ounces in a day, while a 9-pound baby may land near 22–25 ounces. Many reach 24–32 ounces daily by the end of the first month.
Watch for steady weight gain, 6+ wet diapers after the first week, and a content baby between feeds. If gas or spit-up appears, try smaller, more frequent bottles, more upright holds, and extra burp pauses.
Night Feeds And Stretching Windows
In the first weeks, many babies wake every 2–4 hours day and night. Some start giving a longer stretch after midnight as intake per feed rises. If your baby is missing multiple feeds, wakes listless, or has fewer wet diapers, treat that as a red flag and get input from your baby’s doctor.
Hunger Cues, Fullness Cues, And What They Mean
Reading cues keeps feeding calm and responsive. Early hunger signs look subtle; late signs can make latching or bottle starts tough.
| Hunger Cues | Fullness Cues |
|---|---|
| Stirring from sleep, bringing hands to mouth | Relaxed hands and arms |
| Rooting, turning head, lip smacking | Slower sucks, longer pauses |
| Quiet fussing that builds if ignored | Turning away from nipple or bottle |
| Crying as a late sign | Dozing off, releasing the nipple |
Weight-Based Math: Quick Way To Plan Bottles
Here’s a simple approach many parents use for planning bottle volumes, especially with infant formula. Multiply baby’s weight in pounds by 2.5 to get a rough daily total in ounces. Divide by expected feeds to set a starting bottle size. Always let your baby decide the final sip count.
Worked Examples
Example A: Baby weighs 7 lb and feeds 8 times. 7 × 2.5 = 17.5 oz per day. Divide by 8 feeds ≈ 2.2 oz per bottle. Offer 2–2.5 oz and see how baby responds.
Example B: Baby weighs 9 lb and feeds 7 times. 9 × 2.5 = 22.5 oz per day. Divide by 7 feeds ≈ 3.2 oz per bottle. Offer 3–3.5 oz and adjust by baby’s cues.
This math is a guide, not a mandate. Growth charts, diaper counts, and your baby’s behavior matter more than any equation.
Breast Versus Bottle: Why The Numbers Look Different
Bottle feeds are easy to measure; nursing happens at the breast where volume is not visible. That’s why ranges feel wider for nursing. Another reason: breast milk changes during a feed—foremilk first, creamier hindmilk later—so babies often linger longer at the breast even if the total amount matches prior feeds.
When offering expressed milk, smaller bottles with paced feeding often match breastfeeding rhythm better than large bottles. Many parents prep 2–4 ounce portions to cut waste and top up only if baby still shows hunger signs.
Common Questions New Parents Ask
What If My Newborn Seems Hungry After Every Bottle?
Try adding 0.5–1 ounce to the next feed and slow the pace. If spit-up increases or diapers turn loose and frothy, step back to the prior volume and aim for smaller, more frequent feeds for a day.
Is Cluster Feeding Normal?
Yes. Many babies bunch evening feeds together, especially during growth spurts. Offer the breast or bottle when cues pop up. Short, frequent sessions can help babies tank up before a longer night stretch.
Could My Baby Be Getting Too Much?
Signs include frequent spit-up, arching, coughing, and very short gaps between feeds paired with fussiness. Try paced feeding and smaller portions. For formula, stay near the 32-ounce ceiling unless your pediatrician advises otherwise.
Safe Prep And Smart Bottle Routines
Formula Prep Basics
Wash hands, use clean bottles, and follow the scoop-per-water line on your brand. Mix well until no clumps remain. Use prepared formula within the times listed on the label. When warming, place the bottle in warm water; skip the microwave to avoid hot spots.
Breast Milk Handling
Store freshly pumped milk in small labeled portions. Chill promptly; freeze if it won’t be used within a few days. Thaw in the fridge or under cool running water, then warm gently. Swirl to mix the fat layer back in.
Air, Burps, And Positions
Hold your baby semi-upright, keep the nipple filled, and tilt the bottle just enough to cover the nipple opening. Pause mid-feed for a burp, then again at the end. These tiny tweaks can cut gassiness.
When To Call The Pediatrician
Reach out the same day if your newborn has fewer than 5–6 wet diapers after day five, is hard to wake for feeds, breathes fast during feeding, or isn’t gaining as expected. Vomiting that shoots out of the mouth, dark green spit-up, blood in stool, or signs of dehydration need prompt care.
Simple Newborn Feeding Plan You Can Try
Step 1: Set A Starting Bottle Size
Pick a starting size based on weight math or the table above. For many newborns in week 2, that’s 2–3 ounces.
Step 2: Pace The Feed
Offer the bottle in a semi-upright hold, tip it just enough to cover the nipple, and add pauses for burps. For nursing, offer both sides and switch when sucking slows.
Step 3: Respond To Cues
If baby still reaches for more, add a small top-up. If baby turns away, stop and try again later. Keep a light log for a few days to spot patterns.
Key Takeaways You Can Trust
- First days: 1–2 oz per feed, 8–12 feeds, then gradual increases.
- By weeks 2–4: many babies land near 3–4 oz per feed and 20–32 oz per day.
- Formula guide: about 2.5 oz per pound per day, with a common ceiling near 32 oz.
- Breast milk across months 1–6: often 19–30 oz per day spread across 6–10 feeds.
- Cues rule. Let your baby set the pace; numbers are only a starting point.