On day 1, a newborn stomach holds about 5–7 mL; by day 3 it’s roughly 22–27 mL, and by the end of week 1 it reaches about 45–60 mL per feed.
New parents often hear two messages at once: “feed often” and “tiny tummy.” Both are true. A newborn stomach is small at birth and grows fast in the first week. That growth changes how many milliliters fit at a time, and it also shapes feeding rhythm through the day. Knowing the ballpark mL ranges helps you size feeds, watch cues, and feel calmer through those round-the-clock days.
You’ll see numbers below for typical per-feed capacity at common milestones in the first two weeks. These are ranges, not targets. Babies vary. Some take a touch less, some a touch more, and most spread intake across many short feeds. Responsive feeding wins here: offer when hunger cues show, pause when your baby slows, and let them guide the finish.
How Many mL In A Newborn Stomach By Day
The table sums up approximate per-feed capacity and simple size cues that many nurses use while teaching new families. Use it as a quick reference during the first days.
| Age | Typical Capacity Per Feed (mL) | Handy Size Cue |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 5–7 | Cherry or marble |
| Day 3 | 22–27 | Walnut or ping-pong ball |
| End Of Week 1 | 45–60 | Apricot |
| Days 10–12 | 60–85 | Small egg |
| Weeks 2–3 | 60–90 | Egg to small plum |
Newborns usually feed 8–12 times in 24 hours in the early days, so even the larger end-of-week-one capacity still spreads across many sessions. That pattern supports steady intake, keeps blood sugar stable, and protects milk supply for nursing parents. See the NHS guidance on early feeding for a simple overview of cues and frequency.
Why Capacity Starts Small And Ramps Up
Two things set the scene: the milk your body makes first, and the way a newborn stomach empties.
Colostrum Packs Big Nutrition In Small mL
In the first days your breasts make colostrum. It’s thick, golden, and nutrient-dense. Newborns need only small volumes at a time, which lines up with the day-1 and day-3 ranges above. As mature milk comes in around day 3–5, volume rises and feeds look fuller, matching the end-of-week-one capacity. That shift explains why feeds often feel short and frequent on day 1, then stretch a bit by the end of the week.
Stomach Emptying, Air Swallowed, And Burps
Newborn stomachs empty steadily. Short, frequent feeds move through well and are easier on tiny bellies. Babies also swallow some air while feeding. Gentle pauses for burps make room again and can help a baby finish a comfortable amount without pushing past their limit.
Feeding Rhythm That Matches Tiny Capacity
Watch early cues: stirring, moving hands to mouth, rooting, fluttery eyelids, soft fussing. Offer then. Waiting for intense crying can make latching harder and may lead to gulping. On the bottle, hold your baby upright, keep the bottle level, and give short pauses so they can set the pace. On the breast, switch sides when swallowing slows. If baby turns away, relaxes the hands, or falls asleep, the feed is likely done for now.
Short clusters are normal, especially during the second evening and around growth spurts. Think “snack, nap, snack” rather than long breaks early on. Over a full day, those small sessions add up to the daily totals your baby needs.
From Per-Feed mL To Daily Intake
After the first several days, daily needs scale with body weight. Health organizations use a simple range once babies are past day 5–6: about 150–200 mL per kilogram per day from breast milk or standard infant formula. That range is a planning tool, not a strict rule, and it flexes with growth, activity, and the number of feeds. The figure below shows what that looks like for common weights.
| Baby Weight | Daily Total (mL) | Per Feed If 8–12 Feeds (mL) |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5 kg | 375–500 | 31–63 |
| 3.0 kg | 450–600 | 38–75 |
| 3.5 kg | 525–700 | 44–88 |
| 4.0 kg | 600–800 | 50–100 |
Those per-feed ranges look wide because babies space feeds differently. Some prefer 8 hearty sessions; others take 10–12 smaller ones. If your baby sits near the lower end of daily totals yet nurses or bottles with good rhythm and has steady diapers and weight checks, that can be fine. Many families like one simple anchor: across a day, aim near the weight-based total while still letting your baby call the shots during each session. For a clinical overview of daily volumes, see this AAP summary on infant nutrition.
Signs The Amount Fits Just Right
During The Feed
You hear steady sucks and swallows. Jaw and temple move in a smooth rhythm. Hands relax as the feed progresses. Breathing stays easy.
Right After
Baby looks calm, maybe drowsy. The belly feels soft, not tight. A small spit-up can happen and still be fine. Large, repeated spit-ups, a very tense belly, or sharp discomfort suggests the last feed ran long or fast.
Across The Day
Wet diapers climb through the first week. Stools change from dark meconium to mustard-yellow by the end of week 1 in many breastfed babies. Bottle-fed stools vary in color and texture and can still track well if weight and comfort look good.
Bottle Feeds Without Overdoing It
Small stomachs and fast bottle flow can clash. Try a slow-flow nipple, hold the bottle more horizontal, and tip it only until milk fills the nipple. Pause often. Switch sides halfway through to mimic the change of breast. Let your baby stop with some milk still in the bottle. Finishing every drop is not the goal; comfort and cues are.
Watch for signs of too much, too fast: gulping, flared nostrils, milk spilling from the corners of the mouth, grimacing, stiff arms, or arching. If you see any of these, tilt the bottle down to give a break, then resume at a gentler angle.
Breastfeeds That Match Natural Volumes
Latching well lets babies work for milk at a pace that fits their tummy. Bring your baby close, tummy to tummy, nose to nipple, chin touching first. Wait for a wide mouth, then bring baby onto the breast. You should feel a deep, pulling tug rather than pinching. If the latch slips shallow, break the seal with a finger and start again. A few minutes on one side may empty early colostrum stores; as milk volume rises, babies often stay longer and swallow more steadily.
Frequent feeds in the first week protect supply. Many parents aim for at least eight feeds, often more. If milk seems slow to rise on day 3–4, increase skin-to-skin time and offer both sides each session. Short, calm sessions beat long, fussy battles.
When The Numbers Feel Confusing
It’s easy to get lost in milliliters. Step back to the big picture. Is your baby waking for feeds and showing early cues? Do feeds include steady swallows? Are there regular wet diapers and a soft body afterward? Are weight checks trending up as expected? If those anchors look good, the per-feed mL is likely on track, even if every session doesn’t match the table.
If feeds feel frantic, or your baby seems uncomfortable after many sessions, try smaller amounts more often for a day and see if comfort improves. That small shift matches the tiny stomach idea and can reset the rhythm.
Red Flags That Need Prompt Attention
Get help the same day if your newborn has very few wet diapers, dry mouth, sunken soft spot, weak cry, unusual sleepiness, fast breathing, a distended belly that stays hard, green vomit, or blood in stool. Trouble latching or pain at every feed also deserves quick support. These signs point to issues that go beyond normal day-to-day swings in intake.
Quick Reference Tips
Day 1
Offer both sides or small bottle amounts often. Think teaspoons, not ounces. Expect catnaps between feeds.
Day 3
Milk volume rises. Burp mid-feed and at the end. If using bottles, pace the flow to avoid fast chugging.
End Of Week 1
Single feeds land near 45–60 mL for many babies, still spread across many sessions. Some babies take a bit more at bedtime and a bit less overnight. That’s fine if comfort and diapers look good.
Weeks 2–3
Feeds look smoother. Growth spurts can spark short clusters. Stay responsive and let your baby set the finish line.