Newborn formula starts at 30–60 ml per feed every 2–3 hours; by 1 month most take 90–120 ml per feed, about 710–960 ml per day.
What A Newborn Can Drink In Ml
Brand-new bellies are tiny. That’s why early feeds look small but come often. In the first days, offer about 30–60 ml per feed and watch for steady swallowing, relaxed hands, and calm body language when done. Across a full day, that usually adds up to eight to twelve feeds. As days pass, the gap between feeds stretches a little, and the volume per bottle creeps up.
By the end of the first month, many babies settle around 90–120 ml per feed on a three to four hour rhythm. That pattern lands most families near 710–960 ml across 24 hours. These are averages, not targets. Your baby will have small days and big days. Growth, sleep, and fuss cycles can nudge intake up or down for a short spell.
Typical Newborn Formula Amounts (Early Weeks)
| Age | Average Per Feed (ml) | Feeds Per 24h |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1–3 | 30–60 | 10–12 |
| Days 4–7 | 45–75 | 8–12 |
| Weeks 2–3 | 60–90 | 8–10 |
| End Of Week 4 | 90–120 | 7–9 |
For a clear, parent-friendly overview of amounts and timing by age, see the American Academy of Pediatrics guide on amount and schedule of formula feedings. It outlines early per-feed ranges, the common ceiling near 960 ml per day, and the helpful weight-based rule below.
How Many Ml Of Formula For A Newborn: Daily And Per Feed
There’s a reliable rule that scales with your baby’s size: about 2½ ounces per pound per day. Convert that, and you get roughly 165 ml per kilogram per day. Think of it as a guardrail, not a rigid quota. Most babies self-adjust within that window. If bottles are always drained fast and lips keep smacking, offer a bit more. If bottles come back half full and diapers still look on track, your baby may be satisfied with less at that moment.
How To Use The Weight Rule (Quick Math)
1) Weigh your baby in kilograms. 2) Multiply weight by ~165 to estimate daily ml. 3) Divide by expected feeds. In the first weeks, many babies take eight to ten feeds per day; by the end of the first month, that may trend toward seven to nine. This keeps bottles sized to the day’s rhythm and helps avoid frequent overfills.
Examples: A 3.2 kg newborn: 3.2 × 165 ≈ 528 ml per day. Split into nine feeds ≈ 60 ml each. A 3.8 kg newborn: 3.8 × 165 ≈ 627 ml per day. Split into eight feeds ≈ 80 ml each. A 4.5 kg baby: 4.5 × 165 ≈ 743 ml per day. At seven to eight feeds, that’s roughly 90–110 ml per feed. These figures land inside the per-feed ranges above and keep daily intake near the usual ceiling.
Feeding Frequency And Rhythm
Newborns often want eight to twelve feeds per day. Early on, two to three hours between bottles is common. As intake per feed climbs, spacing often stretches to three or four hours. Some feeds run long with pauses and burps. Others finish fast. That mix is normal. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes this wide pattern and encourages responsive feeding based on hunger cues. Their page on how much and how often to feed infant formula describes the first days through the first months.
Hunger And Fullness Cues To Watch
Hunger cues tend to come in stages. Early cues include stirring, bringing hands to mouth, lip smacking, and rooting. Mid cues look like active searching and eager fussing. Late cues are full-on crying. Try to start the bottle before the late stage when possible. Satisfied babies slow their pace, relax their hands, and turn away from the nipple. Some fall asleep near the end. Others stop, burp, and look content. Trust those signals more than the millilitres still sitting in the bottle.
If gas builds, pause and burp. Tilt the bottle so the nipple stays full during sips. That simple move reduces air intake and helps babies settle after a feed. A calm setup and a steady pace make a visible difference in how much your newborn keeps down.
Night Feeds, Pace, And Bottle Size
Many newborns still wake through the night. Early feeds are small and frequent, so overnight intake matters. Aim for similar bottle sizes day and night during the first weeks. Short naps between night feeds are expected. If a baby sleeps a stretch longer than four to five hours in the early weeks and starts missing feeds, wake for a bottle. As intake per feed rises, nights often pull together naturally, and wake-ups spread out on their own.
Right-sized bottles help pacing. In the first weeks, 60–90 ml bottles fit most feeds. By the end of month one, 90–120 ml bottles fit many feeds. Mix what you plan to offer rather than filling a large bottle “just in case.” Topping up is fine when needed, and it keeps waste low.
When Amounts Change
Short growth spurts can spike appetite for a day or two. Expect more frequent requests and quicker bottle finishes. Keep an eye on diapers and mood and respond to cues. After the surge, intake usually slides back to prior levels. Tummy upsets, sleepy spells, or hot weather can trim intake for a brief stretch. Hydration still comes from formula at this age, so offer the next feed on time and watch wet diapers.
If intake stays far below usual and diapers drop off, reach out to your baby’s clinician. Slow weight gain, weak suck, or laboured breathing during feeds also needs prompt attention. When in doubt, bring your notes and bottles to the visit. Small tweaks to positioning, nipple flow, or pacing can restore easy feeds.
Safety Notes That Support Steady Intake
Prep And Handling
Use safe water, clean hands, and sterilized parts. Measure powder and water as directed on the tin. Mix fresh bottles close to feed time when you can. If you chill a mixed bottle for later, keep it cold and rewarm gently. Discard leftovers from a feed rather than saving sips for the next round.
Bottle Flow And Position
If milk pours too fast, babies gulp air and cough. If flow is too slow, they tire out and quit early. Try a paced-bottle hold with the nipple half full and the bottle tipped just enough to keep bubbles out of the nipple. A brief break every few minutes for a burp helps many babies finish calmly.
Daily Formula By Weight (Quick Planner)
This table uses the weight rule (~165 ml/kg/day) and splits the day into eight feeds. Adjust up or down to match your baby’s pattern. If you size for seven or nine feeds, the total stays the same while each bottle shifts a little.
| Baby Weight (kg) | Target Per Day (ml) | Per Feed At 8 Feeds (ml) |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5 | 410 | 50 |
| 3.0 | 495 | 60 |
| 3.5 | 580 | 70 |
| 4.0 | 660 | 80 |
| 4.5 | 745 | 90 |
| 5.0 | 825 | 100 |
The daily upper range for many young babies sits near 960 ml. Some days will land well below that, and that’s fine if diapers and energy look normal. If bottles keep pushing past that mark with lots of spit-up or gassy fuss, try smaller feeds spaced a bit closer and see if comfort improves.
Diapers, Growth, And Reassurance
Wet diapers tell a simple story. After the first few days, many babies wet six or more per day. Stools vary in colour and texture with formula type and age. A steady growth line on the clinic chart is the best sign that intake is matching needs. Keep a light log for a few days if you feel unsure. Times, volumes, and diaper counts help spot patterns and make visits more useful.
Common Scenarios And Simple Fixes
Baby Drains Bottles Fast
Offer a bit more at the next feed and slow the flow slightly. Check nipple size and tilt. If bottles jump far above the weight rule every day, split feeds into smaller, slightly more frequent portions. That often settles gulping and reduces spit-up.
Baby Leaves Milk Often
Shorten the gap before the next feed instead of pushing a larger bottle. Some babies prefer more frequent, smaller meals. Diapers and mood will tell you whether intake is still on track.
Lots Of Spit-Up
Keep the bottle angled to avoid bubbles in the nipple, burp midway, and hold upright for a few minutes after. Try a slightly smaller bottle and add one extra feed in the day. Bring frequent forceful spit-up, poor weight gain, or signs of pain to your clinician.
Numbers At A Glance
Early Per-Feed Range
30–60 ml in the first days; moving toward 90–120 ml by the end of month one.
Daily Range For Many Newborns
About 500–800 ml depending on size and feeds, with a common upper limit near 960 ml.
Weight-Based Guide
~165 ml/kg/day (the same as 2½ oz per lb per day). Split that across your baby’s usual number of feeds.
When To Call Your Pediatrician
Contact care promptly if your baby has fewer than four wet diapers by day four, feeds feel laboured, lips look dry, or weight checks show a drop outside the clinic’s expected range. Blood in stool, green vomit, or a hard, swollen belly needs urgent care. Trust your instincts. Bring your notes and bottles to the visit so the team can see exactly what you’re using and how you’re feeding.