In the first month, most newborns take 45–90 mL per feed, totaling about 150–200 mL per kg in 24 hours.
Newborn Milk Needs At A Glance
Newborn intake changes quickly during the first weeks. Small stomach size limits early feeds, then volume rises as feeding improves. Use these typical ranges as a starting point and match them to hunger and fullness cues.
| Age | Per Feed (mL) | Feeds/Day |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 5–20 | 8–12 |
| Day 2 | 10–30 | 8–12 |
| Day 3 | 20–40 | 8–12 |
| Days 4–7 | 30–60 | 8–10 |
| Weeks 2–4 | 45–90 | 7–9 |
| End Of Month 1 | 60–120 | 6–8 |
How Feeding Volume Ramps Up In The First Month
During week one, many babies take about 30–60 mL per feed. Through the rest of the month, a common range is 90–120 mL per feed, with a daily cap near 950 mL set in many guides. You can see similar patterns in the AAP infant formula guidance. For infants who nurse, breastfeeding only is recommended by the World Health Organization for the first six months.
How Many ML Does A Newborn Need Per Feed?
Ranges depend on age and feeding method. Early days bring 5–30 mL sips with many repeats. By week two, 45–90 mL per feed fits many babies. Bottle totals for a full day usually land near 150–200 mL per kilogram.
Use the range as a guide, then watch the baby. If suction rhythm stays steady, swallows sound frequent, and the body relaxes near the end, the amount likely matched need.
Breastfed Babies: What ML Means
With direct nursing, you rarely measure milk by the bottle. Instead, use feeds per day, audible swallows, relaxed hands after a feed, and steady weight gain. Wet and soiled nappies also help you gauge intake. Short feeds in the first days are common while milk comes in; expect frequent sessions day and night.
Formula-Fed Babies: Common Ranges
For bottles, a simple rule is 150–200 mL per kilogram per day in the first months. That weight-based guide keeps total intake aligned with growth. The AAP also notes many babies top out near 32 ounces per day, which equals about 946 mL.
Feeding Cues You Can Trust
Early cues: stirring, mouth opening, rooting, hand-to-mouth. Late cue: crying. Feed before crying when you can. Signs of satiety include slowing sucks, turning away, relaxed arms, and a sleepy calm. Let the baby end the feed when full.
How Often Should A Newborn Eat?
Most newborns feed every 2–3 hours, sometimes more often in clusters. Spacing stretches a bit by month’s end as portions rise. Growth spurts can bring brief bursts of extra feeds.
Why ML Ranges Vary Baby To Baby
Birth weight, gestation, mode of delivery, and early latch all shape intake. A small late-preterm baby may need smaller, more frequent volumes. A larger term baby often handles more per feed once the first week passes.
Milk transfer depends on latch and positioning. A deep latch brings quicker swallows and less air. A shallow latch can slow the session and lead to more gas. Gentle burps during breaks clear trapped air and make room for more milk if hunger continues.
Temperament and day-night patterns play a part. Some babies take steady portions round the clock. Others take short meals during the day and longer stretches overnight. Track the full day total, not just one bottle or one feed.
Breastfeeding Only: Useful Benchmarks
During day one, colostrum comes in small amounts and fits the tiny stomach. Expect many short latches. By days two to three, milk volume rises and nappies increase. Six or more wet nappies by the end of week one is a common marker.
Weight checks give the clearest picture. A small dip after birth is normal. Many babies regain birth weight by two weeks. After that, steady gains point toward good transfer. If weight checks lag, add one extra feed or offer both sides more than once per session while you seek hands-on help. Skin-to-skin before feeds often boosts cues and helps latching.
Bottle Volume, Pace, And Flow
Paced bottle feeding keeps intake aligned with appetite. Hold the bottle horizontal, let the baby set the rhythm, and pause every few minutes. This style lowers gulping and reduces overfeeding. Offer a brief burp break each time sucking slows down.
Flow rate matters. Use a slow teat at first. If feeds stretch past 30 minutes with steady cues, shift to a teat with a slightly faster flow. If you see coughing or wide-eyed alarm at the start, the flow is likely too fast.
Paced Feeding Quick Steps
Hold baby upright, keep bottle horizontal, pause often, switch sides mid-feed, and stop when cues say full.
Cluster Feeding And Growth Spurts
Many newborns bunch feeds during the evening hours. Short gaps stack up before a longer stretch of sleep. This pattern is common and keeps total daily intake on track.
Spurts around week two and again near week three can bring a sharp rise in feeding requests for a day or two. Offer the breast or bottle when cues start and let the baby lead the finish. Intake settles again.
Tiny Stomach, Fast Changes
A newborn stomach holds small volumes on day one, roughly a teaspoon or two per feed. Capacity climbs quickly as milk flow rises. That is why early feeds look like frequent snacks.
By the end of week one, the stomach handles larger sips and the gap between feeds stretches. Larger portions then arrive during weeks two to four as coordination improves.
Sample 24-Hour Patterns You Can Adapt
Day 3 sample for a 3.2 kg baby on bottles: 10 feeds x 30–40 mL. Total 300–400 mL in 24 hours.
At week two: 8 feeds x 60–75 mL.
If Baby Sleeps Through A Feed
During the first two weeks, wake the baby if stretches exceed three to four hours and total feeds fall short of eight in 24 hours. Once weight gain looks steady and nappies meet the usual counts, longer stretches at night are fine.
During daylight hours, bring feeds forward if naps run long and the last feed was small. Keeping daytime intake steady can help night sleep later on.
Pumping, Storing, And Matching ML To Feeds
Freshly pumped milk can go straight to the next feed. If you plan to store it, chill promptly in small portions like 45–60 mL so less goes to waste. Label date and time.
When sharing feeds between caregivers, write the planned volume on the bottle and remind them to pace. A small top-up after a pause beats one large push at the start.
Soothing While You Build A Routine
Skin-to-skin time settles many newborns and helps milk flow. Keep a calm and cozy space so cues stay clear.
A gentle swaddle between feeds may calm startles. Leave the hips loose and keep swaddles off during the feed so cues stay visible.
Weight-Based Guide For Formula
Use body weight to plan daily totals, then split that across a full day. These figures reflect 150–200 mL per kg per day.
| Baby Weight | 150 mL/kg | 200 mL/kg |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5 kg | 375 mL | 500 mL |
| 3.0 kg | 450 mL | 600 mL |
| 3.5 kg | 525 mL | 700 mL |
| 4.0 kg | 600 mL | 800 mL |
| 4.5 kg | 675 mL | 900 mL |
| 5.0 kg | 750 mL | 1000 mL |
Signs Baby Is Getting Enough Milk
Expect one or two wet nappies on day one, then rising to six or more by the end of week one. Stools shift from meconium to mustard yellow in many breastfed babies by the end of the first week. A calm baby after many feeds and steady weight gain across visits point to adequate intake.
When To Adjust The ML
Try a bump if the baby drains bottles often, roots soon after feeds, or shows short intervals with clear hunger cues. Reduce offered volume if you see frequent spit-ups, discomfort near the end of feeds, or pushing the teat away. Preterm, low birth weight, or jaundiced babies may need individual plans from their care team.
Practical Tips For Measuring And Recording
Use slow-flow teats for brand-new babies. Burp during natural pauses. Log feeds and nappies for the first two weeks to spot patterns. If you pump, label volumes and times so you can match them to feeds later on. Watch the baby, not the clock, and let pace vary within a feed.
Safe Preparation And Storage
Follow package directions for mixing. Use safe water and clean bottles thoroughly. Freshly mixed formula that has touched the mouth should be used within two hours or discarded. Refrigerate prepared bottles you plan to use soon and warm gently if needed. Never prop a bottle or add cereal to a bottle at this stage.
Common Myths About ML And Newborns
Myth: Bigger bottles make babies sleep longer. Fact: Overfilling a tiny stomach raises spit-ups and discomfort. Myth: A set number fits every baby. Fact: Ranges exist, but cues and weight trends guide the final amounts. Myth: Water can replace a feed. Fact: Plain water displaces needed calories and is not advised in early months.
Quick Recap On Newborn ML
Plan for 45–90 mL per feed in the first month, with 150–200 mL per kg per day as a helpful ceiling and floor for bottle-fed babies. Breastfed babies reach similar totals through many short sessions. Use cues, nappies, and growth to fine-tune the plan for your baby.