In the first week, newborns take about 5–60 mL per feed, rising to ~60–90 mL by week 2–3, with 8–12 feeds across 24 hours.
New parents ask this on day one: how much milk in milliliters should a newborn take? The number changes by day, by feeding method, and by baby. The guide below gives clear ranges you can use now.
Newborn Milk Intake At A Glance (mL Per Feed)
This quick chart shows typical volumes per feed and how often babies eat in the early weeks. Ranges reflect normal variation.
| Age | Per Feed (mL) | Feeds In 24 Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 5–7 | 8–12 |
| Day 3 | 22–27 | 8–12 |
| Day 4–6 | 30–60 | 8–12 |
| Week 2 | 60–90 | 7–10 |
| Weeks 3–4 | 90–120 | 6–9 |
Breastfed babies often take smaller, more frequent feeds than formula-fed babies. Feeding on cue works well for both.
Why The Range Varies
- Stomach size grows fast. Day-one tummies hold teaspoons, then stretch toward shot-glass volumes by the end of week one.
- Latch and transfer matter. A deep latch helps milk flow; shallow latches reduce intake and can make feeds feel endless.
- Birth weight and timing. Bigger babies usually drink more, while early or sleepy babies may need gentle wake-ups for feeds.
Authoritative guides back these numbers. See the AAP’s formula schedule for bottle amounts and the CDC’s newborn breastfeeding basics for feed frequency and diaper targets.
How Many Milliliters Do Newborns Drink Per Feed?
Through the first days, many babies take tiny sips that match stomach capacity. By day 3, 22–27 mL at a time is common. By day 7, 45–60 mL fits well. After the first week, most babies settle near 60–90 mL per feed, with some edging toward 90–120 mL by the end of month one.
Those are per-feed volumes. What matters most is the daily pattern: frequent feeds, steady diapers, and content periods after eating.
Breastfeeding Amounts And Frequency
Plan for about 8–12 feeds in 24 hours early on. Some sessions are short “snacks,” and others run longer. That rhythm helps milk production and keeps intake right for the size of the stomach.
Hunger And Fullness Cues
- Early cues: stirring, rooting, hand-to-mouth movements, soft sounds.
- Active hunger: alert eyes, eager latching, rhythmic sucking and swallowing.
- Fullness cues: relaxed hands, slower sucking, letting the nipple fall out, sleepy calm.
Watch and listen for swallowing. By days 10–14, babies are usually back to birth weight, and wet diapers trend up to about six or more each day.
Cluster Feeding And Growth Spurts
Evenings often bring back-to-back feeds. That pattern is common and usually brief. Offer both breasts, switch sides when swallowing slows, and keep water and a snack nearby for yourself.
When To Wake For A Feed
During the first weeks, wake a sleepy newborn after about three hours in the day and four at night if a feed was missed, then return to on-demand feeding once weight gain is steady.
Formula Feeding Amounts In mL
Most babies take about 2½ ounces per pound of body weight per day, which equals around 75 mL per pound. Many land near a cap of about 960 mL in 24 hours. Spread the total over regular feeds of 60–120 mL, about every three to four hours in the early months.
Right-Sized Bottles And Flow
Start with small bottles. In the first two weeks, offer 30–60 mL and pace the feed so baby leads. Tilt the bottle just enough to keep milk in the nipple and add pauses to check for cues.
Week-One Feeding Planner
Here is a calm, workable plan many families like for days 1–7. Use it as a loose map and adjust to your baby.
Days 1–2
Offer the breast or a small bottle at least every three hours. Expect 5–15 minute sessions at the breast or 5–15 mL per bottle, sometimes less. Hand expression after nursing can help move colostrum into a tiny bottle or spoon. Skin-to-skin time keeps cues easy to spot and can lift milk transfer.
Days 3–4
Milk volume rises now. Feeds often bunch together in the evening. Many babies take 22–45 mL per feed. If bottle-feeding, burp midway; short pauses make space for satiety signals to show up.
Days 5–7
Per-feed volumes head toward 45–60 mL. Nights may still be busy. Aim for at least eight total feeds each day. If long stretches appear, add an extra daytime feed to keep totals on track.
Paced Bottle Feeding: Step-By-Step
- Hold baby upright, close to your chest. Steady the head so the neck stays straight.
- Tickle the upper lip with the nipple and wait for a wide, eager mouth before starting.
- Keep the bottle nearly horizontal; just fill the nipple tip. This slows the stream.
- Let baby suck for 20–30 seconds, then tip the bottle down for a breath and a check-in.
- Watch for relaxed hands and slower sucking. Stop when baby shows “done,” even if milk remains.
- Burp midway and at the end. A gentle shoulder rub or upright hold often works well.
Burping And Comfortable Positions
Try over-the-shoulder, seated on your lap with head cradled, or tummy-down across your knees. Short, calm pats or a slow circular rub help trapped air rise. If a burp does not come, move on; many babies release air on their own soon after.
Practical Intake Checks And Tips
Enough Milk Signs
Look for steady weight gain over the first weeks, six or more good wet diapers after day five, and relaxed behavior for one to three hours after feeds. You may hear soft swallows during active sucking; that sound often tells you milk is moving.
Overfeeding Signs
Rushed bottle sessions or fast nipples can push intake beyond need. Frequent spit-up, tight belly, or gassy fussing soon after feeds point that way. Slow the flow, add pauses, and reduce the next bottle by 15–30 mL to see if comfort improves.
Pumped Milk Bottles
Most newborns do well with 45–90 mL per bottle during the first month. If bottles replace a breast session, match the volume to the usual single-breast transfer, not both. Keep milk cool during transport and warm gently right before use.
Night Stretch Patterns
As daytime intake improves and growth stays steady, night gaps often lengthen. Keep a dim room, quick diaper changes, and quiet feeds. Many families see one longer stretch appear toward the end of month one.
If Feeds Feel Too Short Or Too Long
When Sessions Seem Too Short
Some babies are quick, efficient feeders. If diapers and weight look good, short sessions are fine. If diapers are sparse or weight lags, try breast compressions during active sucking, keep baby snug and skin-to-skin, and offer both sides before ending the feed. For bottles, double-check the nipple flow and keep the angle shallow so the stream does not race ahead.
When Sessions Stretch On And On
Long feeds can come from sleepiness, a shallow latch, or slow flow. Switch sides when swallowing slows, use a gentle breast massage, and try a brief diaper change. For bottles, a small bump in volume at the previous feed or a tiny change in nipple flow can help.
Daily Total By Weight (Quick Math)
| Baby Weight (kg) | Daily Total (mL) | Per Feed At 8 Feeds |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5 | ~375 | ~45–50 |
| 3.0 | ~450 | ~55–60 |
| 3.5 | ~525 | ~65–70 |
| 4.0 | ~600 | ~75 |
| 4.5 | ~675 | ~80–85 |
| 5.0 | ~750 | ~90–95 |
| 5.5 | ~825 | ~100–105 |
| 6.0 | ~900 | ~110–115 |
These estimates use the 150 mL/kg/day rule many clinics reference. Let baby guide the last sips, and watch diapers and weight over strict math.
Special Situations
Preterm infants, babies with jaundice, and babies with tongue-tie or oral muscle tightness may feed differently. Your clinic team can tailor plans, measure transfer during a weighed feed, and suggest steps that fit your baby.
When To Call The Pediatrician
- Fewer than six wets per day after the first week, or dark urine.
- No stool for several days in a baby who still seems uncomfortable, or hard pellet-like stools.
- Persistent vomiting, poor energy, weak sucking, or trouble waking for feeds.
- Ongoing nipple pain, shallow latch, or concerns about milk transfer.
- Any feeding worry that makes you uneasy.
You know your baby best. Feed on cue, track diapers, and use these ranges as guardrails while your routine settles in.
Small tweaks add up across days. Trust cues, track trends, and breathe. You’re doing great today.