In week one, newborns take about 1–2 oz (30–60 mL) per feed; by weeks 2–4, many take 2–3 oz every 2–3 hours.
Quick Feeding Snapshot
The aim here is simple: match intake to a tiny tummy, feed often, and watch your baby rather than the clock. The numbers below are ranges, not targets, and your baby may land a little above or below on any given day. Always treat your baby, not the chart, as the guide today.
| Age | Typical Amount Per Feed | Feeds In 24 Hours |
|---|---|---|
| First 24 hours | ½–1 oz (15–30 mL) | 8–12+ |
| Days 2–3 | 1–1½ oz (30–45 mL) | 8–12+ |
| Days 4–6 | 1½–2 oz (45–60 mL) | 8–12 |
| Week 2 | 2–3 oz (60–90 mL) | 8–12 |
| Weeks 3–4 | 2–3½ oz (60–105 mL) | 8–10 |
These ranges mirror AAP guidance on early volumes and the CDC overview on newborn feeding frequency.
How Feeding Changes In The First Month
Day 1: Teaspoons, Not Ounces
That brand-new stomach is tiny. Many babies take only small sips per feed, and that is enough when feeds happen often. Expect frequent latches or small bottles and lots of skin-to-skin.
Days 2–3: A Little More Each Time
Intake creeps up as your newborn wakes more, nurses stronger, or gets the hang of a bottle. Small, steady increases beat big, spaced-out bottles. Wake sleepy babies who miss feeds.
End Of Week 1: 1–2 Ounces Feels Normal
By now many newborns handle 1–2 oz (30–60 mL) at a time. Some take a touch more, some a touch less. What matters: steady wet diapers, soft stools, and a content baby after most feeds.
Weeks 2–4: 2–3 Ounces, Every 2–3 Hours
Across weeks two to four, many babies settle around 2–3 oz (60–90 mL) per feed. Night stretches may still be short. Cluster feeds in the evening are common; they help meet daily needs.
Breastfeeding: Volumes, Cues, And Timing
Breastfed babies usually feed 8–12 times a day. Early cues include stirring, rooting, and hand-to-mouth movements; crying is late. Offer both sides, switch when swallowing slows, and let baby decide when to stop.
During the first days, colostrum arrives in small amounts that suit a tiny stomach. Milk volume rises across days three to five. Frequent, comfortable latching protects supply while matching your baby’s appetite.
If latching is painful, weight gain stalls, or you’re unsure about output, ask your pediatrician or a lactation professional. Early fixes save a lot of stress.
Why Volumes Vary Baby To Baby
Birth Weight And Week Of Life
Bigger babies often drink a little more. Intake also rises across the first weeks as stomach capacity grows and feeding skills improve. Use ranges, not strict targets, and watch your newborn’s mood and diapers.
Bottle Flow And Pacing
A fast teat can flood a newborn, leading to big, fast feeds and extra spit-ups. A slower teat lets your baby set the rhythm. Tip the bottle just enough to fill the nipple, and pause often so your baby can breathe and decide.
Sleepy Versus Alert Feeding
Some babies doze off mid-feed. Gentle stimulation helps: un-swaddle, tickle the feet, change the diaper, or burp and resume. Others power through bottles or feeds; build in breaks and switch sides to avoid overfilling.
Heat, Growth Spurts, And Cluster Feeds
Warm days and growth spurts bring extra thirst and hunger. Evening cluster feeds are common. Offer more frequent, smaller feeds rather than one large bottle. You’ll keep gas down and comfort up.
Formula Feeding: How Many Ounces Per Feed?
In the first week, many bottle-fed newborns take about 1–2 oz (30–60 mL) per feed. By the end of the first month, lots of babies reach 3–4 oz (90–120 mL) per feed. Space feeds about every 3 hours at first, then follow your baby’s cues.
A handy day-total rule: about 2½ oz per pound per day, with a soft cap near 32 oz (about 950 mL). That’s a ceiling, not a goal. If the bottle empties and hunger cues continue, burp and offer a little more. If your baby turns away or slows, stop.
Warmth, upright holding, and paced bottle feeding help babies self-regulate intake. Avoid propping bottles. Keep preparation safe and always mix powder exactly as the label directs.
Sample 24-Hour Feeding Patterns
These examples show how an average day can look. Treat them as loose guides and adjust to your baby’s cues and your family’s routine.
Breastfeeding Day
- 6:00 — Feed on waking; offer both sides.
- 11:00 — Full feed; switch sides when swallows slow.
- 16:00 — Full feed; diaper change, then a brief top-off.
- 18:30–20:30 — Cluster feeds in shorter bursts.
- 00:00 — Night feed; low lights, minimal chatter.
- 03:00 — Night feed; back to sleep.
Formula Day
- 6:00 — 2–3 oz; paced bottle.
- 9:00 — 2–3 oz; burp halfway.
- 12:00 — 2–3 oz; slow-flow teat.
- 18:00 — 2–3 oz; watch for early fullness cues.
- 21:00 — 2–3 oz; dim lights.
- 03:00 — 2–3 oz; then sleep.
How Much Milk Per Feed For A Newborn: Real Numbers
Numbers help when you’re sleep-deprived. Use the examples below as a rough planner, then adjust to your baby’s cues. All math assumes eight feeds in 24 hours and the 2½ oz per pound per day guideline for formula.
| Baby Weight | Daily Total (Formula) | Per Feed (8 feeds) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 lb (2.7 kg) | ≈ 15 oz / 450 mL | ≈ 1.9 oz (55 mL) |
| 7 lb (3.2 kg) | ≈ 17.5 oz / 520 mL | ≈ 2.2 oz (65 mL) |
| 8 lb (3.6 kg) | ≈ 20 oz / 600 mL | ≈ 2.5 oz (75 mL) |
| 9 lb (4.1 kg) | ≈ 22.5 oz / 675 mL | ≈ 2.8 oz (85 mL) |
| 10 lb (4.5 kg) | ≈ 25 oz / 740 mL | ≈ 3.1 oz (90 mL) |
If your baby wants more or less at a feed, that’s okay. Don’t chase exact numbers. Look for a steady pattern across the day and week.
Hunger And Fullness Signs To Trust
Hunger: stirring, rooting, smacking lips, bringing hands to mouth, seeking the nipple or teat. Fullness: relaxed hands and arms, slower sucking, turning away, dozing off.
Respond to early cues. Waiting for tears makes feeding harder and can lead to gulping. Whether nursing or bottle-feeding, pause to burp and offer breaks so your baby can decide if they want more.
How Often Should A Newborn Feed?
Most newborns need 8–12 feeds in 24 hours. In the first two weeks, wake at 3-hour marks if long stretches push feed counts too low. Once weight gain is steady and your clinician says growth looks good, longer night stretches are fine.
Growth spurts bring days of extra feeds. That doesn’t mean you “don’t have enough.” It usually passes in a day or two as supply and appetite sync back up.
Signs Intake Is On Track
By day four, you’ll usually see six or more wet diapers in 24 hours and regular stools. Your baby should look satisfied after many feeds and return to birth weight by about two weeks. Your care team will check weight at routine visits and help if tweaks are needed.
Call your pediatric office promptly if pee or stool counts drop, if your baby is hard to rouse for feeds, or if weight checks fall short of plan.
Practical Ways To Keep Feeds Smooth
Set Up A Calm Station
Keep water for you, burp cloths, and spare breast pads or a clean bib within reach. Dim lights at night, keep noise low, and hold your baby close so both of you stay relaxed.
Pace The Bottle
Hold your baby upright, keep the bottle more horizontal, and let your baby pause. Switch to a slower-flow teat if feeds finish in minutes with gulping and spit-ups.
Protect Breastfeeding
Work on a deep, comfortable latch. If you pump, size the flange, keep sessions gentle, and store milk safely. For combo-feeding, line up one or two small bottles at predictable times and nurse the rest.
Night Feeding Tips
Prep bottles ahead with cooled boiled water and powder measured separately, or keep diaper supplies next to your nursing chair. Safe sleep always: back to sleep, own clear space, smoke-free room.
When To Ask For Extra Help
Reach out fast if your nipples are cracked or feeds hurt, if your baby coughs or chokes during bottles, or if spit-ups look green or bloody. Sudden drops in wet diapers, a dry mouth, or a sunken soft spot need same-day advice.
Feeding works best when the plan fits your family. Small adjustments to volume, flow, and timing often solve the bumps.
Stool And Diaper Cheat Sheet
Early meconium turns to mustard-yellow, loose stools on breast milk; formula stools often look tan to brown and more formed. Expect variations day to day. Plenty of wet diapers and a content baby after feeds point to enough intake.
If stools are hard like pellets, or if wet diapers drop, check in with your pediatric office. Bring diaper totals and a log of feeds to the visit; that makes troubleshooting fast.
Safety Notes That Matter
- Breast milk or formula only. No water, teas, or cereal in the bottle.
- Prepare formula with hot water as the label directs; measure scoops level. Store safely and discard leftovers after a feed.
- Keep nipples, bottles, and pump parts clean and dry between uses.
- Never prop a bottle. Hold your baby close and upright.
- Back to sleep, every sleep. Feed first, then place your baby on their back in a clear, flat sleep space.
For detailed guidance on amounts, day totals, and feeding frequency, use trusted pediatric handouts from your clinic and national health sites online.