One day-old newborns take about 5–7 ml per feed; by week four many take 90–120 ml per feed, for roughly 600–950 ml across 24 hours.
Why Daily ML Targets Vary
Newborn feeding isn’t one fixed number. Intake rises fast across the first month, and it varies with age, weight, and whether milk comes by breast, bottle, or both. What matters most: frequent feeds, steady wet diapers, and a calm, alert baby between sessions.
How Many ML Of Milk For A Newborn Per Day: Daily Ranges
These ranges pull together typical per-feed volumes and total daily intake across the first month. They fit both breast milk and formula; the pattern is the same even if the pace feels different. Most babies feed 8–12 times per 24 hours in the early weeks, then stretch gaps as their stomach capacity grows.
| Age | Typical Intake | Approx. Daily Total |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 5–7 ml per feed | ≈40–84 ml/day |
| Days 2–3 | 15–30 ml per feed | ≈120–360 ml/day |
| Days 4–7 | 30–60 ml per feed | ≈240–720 ml/day |
| Weeks 2–3 | 45–90 ml per feed | ≈360–900 ml/day |
| Week 4 | 90–120 ml per feed | ≈600–950 ml/day |
On bottles, many caregivers see a quick jump from tiny sips to 30–60 ml by the end of week one. By the fourth week, 90–120 ml per feed is common and total intake often lands near 700–950 ml. The AAP’s formula-feeding guide notes that bottle-fed babies usually reach about 3–4 ounces (90–120 ml) per feed with a ceiling near 32 ounces per day around the end of the first month — numbers that match pumped breast-milk bottles too.
Formula Vs. Breast Milk: What Changes (And What Doesn’t)
Breast-fed babies tend to sip more often and may take smaller bottles, while formula-fed babies often settle into every-3-to-4-hour windows. Either way, aim for responsive feeding: offer when hunger cues start and pause when fullness cues appear.
Weight-Based Newborn Milk Per Day (ml/kg/day)
After the first week, a simple rule of thumb helps with daily totals: about 150–200 ml of milk per kilogram of body weight across 24 hours. That range is the same rule shared by many NHS services for bottle feeds; see this NHS overview. It gives a practical bracket for both formula and expressed milk.
How To Use The 150–200 ml/kg Rule
Pick your baby’s current weight in kilograms, multiply by 150 and by 200 to get a daily low and high. Split that total over the number of feeds your baby usually takes. Example: a 3.2 kg newborn needs about 480–640 ml per day. At 10 feeds, that’s about 48–64 ml per feed; at 8 feeds, 60–80 ml.
Feed Counts In 24 Hours
In the first two weeks, expect 8–12 feeds per day. By week three to four, many move toward 7–10 feeds. Long stretches can be fine if daytime intake stays on track and diapers look good. Wake for feeds in the early days if stretches exceed three hours, unless your baby’s clinician has set another plan.
Overnight Windows
Most newborns still wake to feed at night. Two or three night feeds are common in the first month, and spacing often improves as daytime intake rises. That rhythm is normal at this early age.
Signs Intake Is On Track
Wet diapers rise from a few in the first days to about 6–8 each day after day five. Stools often shift from dark meconium to mustard-yellow by the end of week one. A baby who feeds well looks relaxed after a feed, has moist lips, and gains weight along their chart. Fewer wets, persistent lethargy, or repeated large spit-ups call for a quick call to your baby’s doctor.
Hunger And Fullness Cues
Hunger cues start subtle. You might see stirring, hand-to-mouth movements, or a wriggly head as baby searches. Crying comes late, and feeds often go better if you start before tears. Fullness cues can be just as quiet: slower sucking, relaxed fingers, milk dribbling from the corners of the mouth, or turning away from the nipple. When you let these signals lead, daily intake ends up in the right range without forcing any bottle to the last drop.
Night Feeds And Cluster Feeding
Some evenings bring back-to-back feeds. That’s cluster feeding. It helps many newborns top up ahead of a longer sleep cycle. The total across 24 hours still lands in the same range; the timing just bunches together. On bottle days, keep portions small and pace the flow so your baby can take breaks between mini-feeds.
Safe Prep And Handling
Safe prep keeps intake steady and reduces tummy upset. Wash hands, measure water first, then add the exact scoop count on formula tins. Discard leftovers from a used bottle within two hours. For pumped milk, store in 30–60 ml batches, chill quickly, and warm gently in a bowl of warm water instead of direct heat. Swirl to mix the cream back in; don’t shake hard.
How To Track Without Stress
A simple log helps for a week or two. Note start times, rough volumes, wet and dirty diapers, and any spit-ups. Patterns usually settle by the end of week one. If the log shows tiny totals day after day, add one or two extra sessions and shorten gaps. If bottles are large and spit-ups frequent, try smaller bottles with slower flow and more pauses.
When Size Or Health Shifts The Range
Bigger babies usually take the higher end of the range, and smaller babies land closer to the lower end. That’s why the ml/kg rule is handy. Babies born early, babies with jaundice, or babies healing after birth challenges may need extra check-ins and specific plans. Use the tables here as a map, then follow your baby’s signals and the plan from your care team.
Bottle Sizes, Pumping, And Top-Ups
For pumped milk, pour small bottles for the first weeks to cut waste: 30, 45, or 60 ml portions work well. Increase bottle size only when your baby drains feeds and still shows clear hunger cues. On formula, mix fresh for each feed when possible and follow the tin’s scoop-to-water ratio without rounding. Flow too fast on the nipple can push higher intake; a slower flow often matches a breast-fed rhythm.
Sample Day Plans You Can Tweak
These sketches show how the ranges play out. Adjust to your baby’s pace, not the clock.
| Age & Weight | Daily Total | Typical Per Feed |
|---|---|---|
| Day 3 (≈3.0 kg) | Total 450–600 ml/day | 8–12 feeds → 40–75 ml each |
| Day 7 (≈3.2 kg) | Total 480–640 ml/day | 8–10 feeds → 50–80 ml each |
| Week 4 (≈3.8 kg) | Total 570–760 ml/day | 7–9 feeds → 70–110 ml each |
Reading The Plans
If your baby is larger or smaller than these examples, run the weight-based math. Bottle amounts are guides, not goals. A finished bottle plus relaxed cues beats any chart.
Feed-Ready Tips That Work
- Keep early bottles small; refill if your baby still roots after a short pause.
- Offer both breasts per session in the early days; many babies switch sides more than once.
- Pace bottle feeds: hold the bottle more horizontal and pause often so your baby can lead.
- Track diapers and rough volumes for a few days, then step back once the pattern looks steady.
- Preterm or unwell newborns often need individual plans from their care team.
A Sensible Upper Limit In The First Month
Many bottles climb fast in week four. Try not to race to the top. A daily total around 700–950 ml is common at this stage. The AAP advises not pushing past about 32 ounces per day unless your baby’s clinician is guiding you.
When The Numbers Don’t Fit
If your newborn seems hungry right after most feeds, try smaller gaps, check latch or bottle flow, and add skin-to-skin time. If feeds drag past 30 minutes every session or your baby dozes off before taking much, shorten gaps and ask for a weight check. Any signs of dehydration or poor alertness need same-day medical advice.