Newborn breast milk intake starts near 5–7 ml per feed on day 1, rising to about 60–90 ml per feed by 2–4 weeks.
What “How Many ML” Really Means
When people ask how many ml a newborn should breastfeed, two numbers matter: ml per feed and ml per day. Both shift quickly across the first weeks. Breastfed babies also feed often. Expect 8–12 feeds in 24 hours in the early weeks. That rhythm keeps supply moving and matches a tiny stomach that fills and empties fast.
Newborn Milk Intake By Age (ML Per Feed)
Your baby’s stomach is tiny at birth and expands across the first days. That is why early feeds are small and frequent. Use the table below as a realistic range, not a target to hit at each feed. Some feeds will be shorter snacks; others will be fuller meals. Watch cues and swallowing, not strict ml goals.
| Age | ML Per Feed (Typical) | What To Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 5–7 ml | Cherry-size stomach; thick colostrum meets needs. |
| Day 2 | 5–15 ml | Small, frequent feeds keep milk moving. |
| Day 3–4 | 15–30 ml | Stomach begins to stretch; milk volume rises. |
| End Of Week 1 | 45–60 ml | Many babies settle into stronger swallows. |
| Weeks 2–3 | 60–90 ml | Intake and supply build together. |
| One Month | 80–150 ml | Range widens; follow baby’s cues and diapers. |
Daily Totals: ML Per Day
Once supply is in, many exclusively breastfed babies land near a steady daily intake window. Across the first months, a common range is about 600–1,000 ml in 24 hours, with an average near 750 ml. A baby who feeds 9 times and averages 85 ml per feed will land near 765 ml for the day. Some take a bit less. Some take more. Diapers and growth tell you whether intake is on track.
How Many Ml For A Newborn Per Feed? Practical Ranges
Use age plus cues to guide you. Day 1 feeds are often teaspoons, not ounces. By day 3, 15–30 ml per feed is common. By the end of week 1, many babies take 45–60 ml. Around weeks 2–4, expect 60–90 ml per feed, sometimes more during a growth spurt. These ranges fit direct nursing and bottles of expressed milk when you use paced feeding.
Feed Often: 8–12 Times Works
A newborn’s job is to nurse a lot. Frequent feeds drive supply and meet small-stomach needs. Many babies breastfeed every 2–3 hours from start to start, with cluster feeds at certain times of day. Long stretches do happen, yet most days still add up to 8–12 feeds. For a plain-language overview of responsive feeding and diaper checks, see this brief AAP guidance.
Follow Your Baby, Not The Clock
Responsive feeding beats rigid schedules. Offer the breast whenever you see early hunger cues: stirring, rooting, hand-to-mouth, lip smacking. Crying is a late cue. Let your baby decide when to finish the breast. Switch sides when swallowing slows and your baby releases or dozes. If they still show hunger cues, offer the other side again.
Bottle Feeding Expressed Milk
If you offer pumped milk, aim for breast-like portions and pace. Use slow-flow nipples and hold the bottle more level so baby sets the tempo. Early bottles may be 15–30 ml. After the first week, 45–60 ml may suit some feeds. By weeks 2–4, many babies take 60–90 ml per bottle. To reduce waste, store milk in small portions, such as 60–120 ml.
Signs Baby Is Getting Enough
- At least 6 wet diapers a day by day 5–7.
- Yellow, loose stools by day 4 and several per day in the early weeks.
- Audible swallows and a relaxed body after feeds.
- Back to birth weight by 10–14 days and steady gains after that.
- Nursing 8–12 times in 24 hours, including overnight.
When To Check In
Reach out to your pediatric clinician or a lactation specialist if any of the following show up: fewer than six wets after day 5, dark urine, hard stools, sleepy feeds with no swallows, ongoing nipple pain, weight gain that stalls, or you feel something is off. Early tweaks with latch, positioning, or feeding plan can make a fast difference.
Simple Math Examples
Here are easy ways to sanity-check daily intake. If your baby averages 9 feeds a day at 70 ml each, the day total is about 630 ml. If you see 10 feeds at 80 ml, that is near 800 ml. If your baby is at the breast for shorter, more frequent snacks, you may see 12 feeds at 55–65 ml and still land in the same daily range. Different patterns can meet the same need.
Why Amounts Vary
Storage capacity in breasts differs from person to person. Some babies take smaller, more frequent feeds. Others take larger, less frequent feeds. Both styles can work. Growth spurts bring bursts of cluster feeding that boost supply. Tongue-tie, illness, or very sleepy starts can lower transfer and call for skilled support.
Average 24-Hour Intake (After The First Days)
| Age | Feeds/24 h | ML Per Day (Range) |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 8–12 | ~30–120 ml (colostrum) |
| End Of Week 1 | 8–12 | ~280–576 ml |
| Weeks 2–3 | 8–12 | ~590–750 ml |
| One Month And Beyond | 7–12 | ~600–1,000 ml (often near 750 ml) |
Paced Feeding Tips For Caregivers
Teach anyone who offers a bottle to go slow. Pause often. Switch sides like you would at the breast. Keep baby upright and let them rest during the feed. This style respects self-regulation and helps reduce over-feeding that can stretch the stomach and raise spit-up.
Diapers And Weight: Your Safety Net
Diapers tell the story. After day 5–7, aim for at least six wets daily. Stools should be mustard yellow and loose in the early weeks. Your care team will check weight at follow-ups. Expect birth weight to return by 10–14 days. Gains of roughly 15–30 grams per day after that often signal intake is meeting needs.
Night Feeds Matter
Night nursing keeps supply steady and lines up with milk hormones that peak overnight. Many babies still wake to feed every 2–4 hours for weeks. Protect those night feeds unless your clinician gives other guidance for special cases.
Common Myths To Skip
- “Bigger bottles mean better feeding.” Portion size should match breast milk norms, not the bottle size.
- “Foremilk and hindmilk need strict timing.” Let baby drain a breast; fat rises across the feed on its own.
- “If baby feeds often, supply is low.” Frequent feeds are normal for newborns.
- “Top-ups after every feed help.” Routine top-ups can cut time at the breast and reduce your supply.
Storage, Handling, And Warming
Fresh milk is safe at room temp for a few hours, four days in the fridge, and longer in the freezer. Store in small portions that match one feed to cut waste. Thaw in the fridge or in a warm water bath. Skip the microwave. Swirl to mix the fat back in. If a bottle is not finished, use the leftover milk within two hours, then discard. For clear step-by-step storage guidance, see the CDC breast milk storage page.
What If You Pump Early?
If you are building a stash or nursing is not yet efficient, you may want targets. By the end of week 1, many lactation teams aim for roughly 500 ml in 24 hours. By week 2–3, a common target is near 750 ml in 24 hours. These are supply goals, not strict intake needs, and they help ensure you can meet demand as it rises.
Sample Day Plans
Plan A: 9 feeds at the breast. Offer both sides most sessions. Average 60–80 ml transfers and you land near 600–720 ml.
Plan B: 8 feeds with one evening cluster of two short sessions. Mix of 70–90 ml feeds. Day total near 700–800 ml.
Plan C: 10 feeds with smaller portions during a growth spurt. Mix of 55–75 ml. Still around 650–750 ml for the day.
Red Flags That Need Prompt Care
Fewer than three stools a day by day 4. Fewer than six wets after day 5–7. Very sleepy baby who will not stay on the breast. Signs of dehydration such as dry mouth or a sunken soft spot. Ongoing weight loss after day 5. Reach out to your clinician without delay when these appear.
Bottom Line For “How Many ML”
There is no single perfect number. Day 1 is teaspoons. End of week 1, many feeds land near 45–60 ml. By weeks 2–4, most babies take 60–90 ml per feed and about 600–1,000 ml across the day. Feed on cue. Watch diapers and growth. Ask for hands-on help when you want it.