In the first weeks, most newborns take 45–90 ml (1.5–3 oz) per feed every 2–3 hours; by 1 month, many take 90–120 ml (3–4 oz).
What “Enough” Looks Like In The First Month
Every baby has a different rhythm, yet a few anchors help you set expectations. In the early days you’ll see frequent, short feeds. By the end of the first month, stretches between feeds usually lengthen. The goal isn’t to hit a perfect number; it’s steady intake, regular wet and dirty diapers, and steady weight gain checked at well-baby visits.
Here’s an age-based view that pairs typical volumes with common feed counts. It works whether you’re nursing, pumping and bottling, using formula, or mixing methods.
| Age | Typical Per-Feed Amount | Feeds In 24 Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1–7 | 30–60 ml (1–2 oz) | 8–12 feeds |
| Weeks 2–3 | 45–90 ml (1.5–3 oz) | 8–12 feeds |
| Week 4 | 90–120 ml (3–4 oz) | 6–8 feeds |
Two trusted references guide these ranges: the AAP’s amount and schedule for formula and the CDC page on breastfeeding frequency. Both stress responsive feeding—offer the breast or bottle when hunger cues show, and stop when fullness cues appear.
How Much Newborn Feed Per Day: Real-World Ranges
For formula, a handy rule is about 75 ml (2.5 oz) per pound of body weight across 24 hours, with most babies staying under ~960 ml (32 oz) per day. If bottles are routinely emptied and baby still roots, add a little. If feeds drag and baby turns away, that’s a natural stop point.
For breastfeeding, count feeds rather than ounces. Newborns typically nurse 8–12 times each day. Early on, that may be every 1–3 hours; as milk supply builds, many settle into 2–4 hour gaps. Cluster feeding—several feeds packed into a short window—can pop up and is common.
When To Wake A Sleepy Newborn
During the first weeks, don’t let long stretches crowd out intake. If a newborn gives you a 4–5 hour nap and hasn’t met their usual number of feeds, wake for a feed. Once weight gain is on track and your clinician gives the green light, longer night stretches are fine.
Hunger And Fullness Cues You Can Trust
Responding to cues keeps intake on target without overfeeding. Early hunger cues include hand-to-mouth motions, lip smacking, rooting, and turning toward the breast or bottle. Late cues include frantic movements or crying. Fullness cues show up as slowing sucks, relaxed hands, turning away, or dozing. Offer, watch, and let baby set the pace.
| State | What You’ll See |
|---|---|
| Early hunger | Hands to mouth, rooting, lip smacking, brighter alertness |
| Active hunger | Fussing, increased movement, searching head turns |
| Late hunger | Crying or frantic motions (comfort first, then feed) |
| Fullness | Slower sucking, relaxed hands, turning away, drifting to sleep |
Breast, Bottle, Or Both: Making Volumes Work
Direct breastfeeding. Since you can’t see ounces at the breast, lean on frequency, diapers, and growth. Offer both sides each session, switch sides when sucking slows, and expect variations across the day. Pump output doesn’t always reflect what baby can transfer; many babies remove more milk than a pump can.
Pumped milk bottles. For paced bottle feeds, start with 60–90 ml (2–3 oz) and adjust based on cues. Keep the nipple half full, tip the bottle down during pauses, and give burp breaks so baby can register fullness. Large, fast bottles can outpace satiety signals.
Formula bottles. Follow the mixing directions exactly, use safe water, and don’t dilute. Most newborn bottles land in the 60–120 ml (2–4 oz) window. If average daily intake creeps past ~960 ml (32 oz), talk with your pediatric team.
Quick Math Examples
Example 1: A 3.2 kg (7 lb) newborn on formula may average around 530 ml in 24 hours (about 18 oz). Split into 8 feeds, that’s roughly 65 ml (a little over 2 oz) per feed.
Example 2: A 4.1 kg (9 lb) baby may take near 690 ml per day (about 23 oz). With 7 feeds, that’s close to 100 ml (a bit over 3 oz) per feed. If bottles are drained fast, offer 15–30 ml more and reassess.
Diapers And Weight: The Built-In Dashboard
Regular wet and dirty diapers plus steady gains at checkups tell you the plan is on track. Pale urine and frequent wet diapers usually follow good intake. If output drops, or weight falters, call your care team for tailored guidance.
Safe Bottles, Safe Storage
Use prepared formula within two hours of mixing and within one hour from the start of a feed. If you won’t start a bottle within two hours, refrigerate it and use it within 24 hours. Toss leftovers after a feed; saliva plus warm milk grows bacteria. Wash and sanitize feeding parts after each use. Warm bottles under warm running water or in a bowl of warm water—skip the microwave to prevent hot spots.
Common Scenarios And How To Tweak
Baby Falls Asleep Mid-Feed
Burp, change the diaper, or switch sides. If baby wakes hungry again within a short window, that’s fine; short, stacked feeds are normal in the early weeks.
Spitting Up Looks Like A Lot
Many babies spit up small amounts. If it’s painless, growth is steady, and diapers look good, keep feeding as usual. For frequent, forceful spit-ups or poor weight gain, check in with your clinician.
Every Evening Feels Like A Snack Marathon
Evening cluster feeds are common. Offer the breast or smaller paced bottles more often, dim lights, and keep the routine calm. The pattern usually eases as sleep and supply settle.
We’re Mixing Breast Milk And Formula
Many families do. Keep a rough daily target in mind from the weight-based rule, then divide across breast and bottle sessions. If supply is a goal, pump when a bottle replaces a nursing session.
When To Call Your Care Team
Reach out if feeds are consistently fewer than 8 per day in the first couple of weeks, if wet diapers drop, if stools stay dark past the first days, if latch is painful, or if daily intake looks low for weight. Timely support now prevents bigger headaches later.
Your Takeaway
Use ranges, not rigid targets. For the first weeks, think 45–90 ml (1.5–3 oz) per feed with 8–12 feeds. Near the one-month mark, many bottles land at 90–120 ml (3–4 oz) with 6–8 feeds. Let cues lead, watch diapers and growth, and adjust the plan with your clinician as your baby grows.