Newborn milk needs start at 5–7 mL on day 1 and reach 60–90 mL per feed by week 2 (8–12 feeds/day), about 150 mL per kg across 24 hours.
Newborns take tiny sips on day 1, then volumes climb fast across the first two weeks. You’ll set bottle sizes or judge latch time by pairing age-based ranges with hunger and fullness cues. The charts and notes below keep things simple for both breast and formula feeding.
Newborn Milk In ML: Per-Feed And Per-Day Guide
Use this starter chart, then let your baby fine-tune the plan. Most newborns feed 8–12 times across a day and night cycle. A smaller baby may prefer more frequent, smaller feeds; a bigger baby may space feeds a bit longer.
| Age | Typical Per Feed (mL) | Feeds/24h |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 5–7 | 8–12 |
| Days 2–3 | 15–30 | 8–12 |
| Days 4–6 | 30–60 | 8–12 |
| Week 2 | 60–90 | 8–12 |
| Weeks 3–4 | 60–120 | 7–10 |
Early numbers reflect colostrum and a very small stomach (about 5–7 mL on day 1). Bottle volumes then rise toward 30–60 mL in the first week and 60–90 mL in week 2. For bottle feeding details, see the CDC page on how much formula to offer. The AAP’s parent site also lists first-week bottles of about 30–60 mL per feed, then larger feeds through the first month; here’s the HealthyChildren feed schedule.
Breastfeeding Amounts: What “Enough” Looks Like
Breastfed newborns feed on cue, often 8–12 times every 24 hours. You won’t measure milliliters at the breast, so you’ll rely on latch comfort, swallow rhythm, content behavior after feeds, and diaper counts. Frequent feeds in the early days help milk volume build and keep baby satisfied.
Day-By-Day: Colostrum To Mature Milk
On day 1, many babies take only drops to about 5–7 mL per feed. By days 2–3, single-feed capacity rises into the 20s of milliliters. As milk transitions, per-feed volume moves to roughly 30–60 mL, then toward 60–90 mL by the end of week 1 into week 2. Parents often notice a clear upswing in both swallow sounds and post-feed calm as this shift unfolds.
Hunger And Fullness Cues
Offer the breast when you see rooting, hand-to-mouth moves, lip smacking, or light fussing. End the feed when baby turns away, slows, relaxes hands, or drifts off with a loose latch. By day 5, many babies pass six or more pale wets daily and have soft stools on most days—strong signs that intake matches needs.
Pumping Or Using Expressed Milk
If you’re measuring expressed milk, aim for the same per-feed ranges shown in the chart. Paced bottle work helps match a breast rhythm—hold the bottle more level, give short pauses, and switch sides midway to keep the flow steady and comfortable.
Formula Feeding Amounts In ML
Early bottles are small and frequent. In the first days, many babies take 30–60 mL every two to three hours. As the second week approaches, most bottles rise toward 60–90 mL, then 90–120 mL by about one month, with total daily intake spread across 6–10 feeds.
First Week To One Month
Watch readiness cues, not the clock alone. If your baby drains bottles quickly and still acts hungry, add 10–15 mL to the next bottle and reassess. If spit-ups climb or leftovers are common, reduce the volume slightly and space feeds a touch more. Gentle tweaks beat big swings.
Daily Intake By Weight
A handy rule for total daily volume is about 150 mL per kilogram of body weight. That suits many term babies after the first several days. Split the daily total across your expected feed count to set an initial bottle size, then fine-tune based on cues and comfort.
Sample 24-Hour Feeding Plans (Starting Points)
These patterns show how the ranges can play out in real life. Your baby’s alert time, growth, and tummy comfort will shape the day. If baby wants an extra snack, offer it. If a nap runs long, shift the next feed and keep rolling.
Breastfeeding Sample
Offer both sides, swapping the starting side next time. A common week-2 rhythm is a feed about every two to three hours during the day, with one longer stretch at night once diapers and weight look solid. Some babies cluster feed in the evening, then settle more overnight.
Example Day, Week 2
06:00, 08:30, 11:00, 13:30, 16:00, 18:30, 21:00, 01:30, 04:00 — roughly nine feeds. Your count may run higher or a bit lower. The aim is steady intake across the day, with baby guiding the exact timing.
Formula Sample
For a 3.5 kg baby, the 150 mL/kg rule lands near 525 mL for the day. Split into nine feeds, that’s close to 60 mL per bottle. If eight feeds suit your baby, try 65–70 mL and watch cues. Small changes are usually all you need.
Weight-Based Daily Intake Table
Start with the daily total that matches your baby’s weight, then divide by your planned number of feeds. Adjust up or down based on cues, spit-ups, and how settled baby seems after feeds.
| Weight (kg) | Daily Total (mL) | Per Feed If 9 Feeds (mL) |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5 | 375 | 40–45 |
| 3.0 | 450 | 50 |
| 3.5 | 525 | 55–60 |
| 4.0 | 600 | 65–70 |
| 4.5 | 675 | 70–80 |
Why Intake Varies From Baby To Baby
Birth weight, stomach capacity, feeding skill, and recovery from birth all shape intake. A late-preterm baby may sip small bottles often and need more breaks. A sturdy term baby may prefer fewer, bigger feeds. Both patterns can work as long as diapers, comfort, and growth line up.
Paced Bottle Tips
Keep the bottle more level so milk doesn’t rush. Pause every few minutes to burp. Switch sides halfway to mimic a change of breast. Slow-flow nipples suit most newborns; move up only when feeds drag on and baby works hard without much flow.
Reading Diapers And Growth
Wets usually climb each day through the first week. By day 5, many babies pass at least six clear to pale wets and have soft stools on most days. Weight often dips after birth, then climbs once milk volume rises. Your care team will track progress and help you time any extra checks.
When To See Your Pediatrician Soon
Reach out quickly if you spot any of these: fewer than six wets a day after day 5; dark or pink-tinged urine; no stool for more than 24 hours in week 1; rising jaundice; weak or noisy suck; deep, lasting breast pain; repeated choking on the bottle; fast breathing with feeds; or slow gains on the growth chart.
Mixing, Warming, And Safe Bottles
Follow the label for powder-to-water ratios and use safe water. Warm bottles in a bowl of warm water rather than a microwave. Discard leftovers after two hours at room temp, or after one hour if baby drank from the bottle and it sat out.
Night Feeds And Stretchy Sleep
Newborns often wake every two to three hours around the clock. As diapers and weight look steady, one longer stretch at night is common by the end of the first month. A small “dream feed” before your bedtime can smooth the next stretch for some families.
Breast And Bottle Together
Combo feeding works well with a simple plan. Nurse first when you can, then top up with a modest bottle. Pump when a bottle replaces a breastfeed to keep supply steady. Match bottle size to the age-based chart or the 150 mL/kg daily math.
Signs A Bottle Is Too Big
Frequent spit-ups, arching, gulping, coughs, or feed times under 10 minutes point to flow or volume that’s a bit high. Try a slower nipple, smaller bottles, and paced pauses. Comfort often improves within a day.
Signs A Bottle Is Too Small
Persistent rooting after a full bottle, short naps with clear hunger on waking, slow gains, and low diaper counts suggest more volume or an extra feed is needed. Bump the next bottle by 10–15 mL and watch how your baby responds.
Special Situations
Preterm, small-for-dates, or babies with health needs may follow a more tailored plan set by your care team. You’ll still use the same tools: cue-led timing, gentle pacing, careful burps, and steady tracking of diapers and weight. Ask your pediatrician about any medicine schedules that intersect with feeds or about fortified milk if it’s been recommended for growth.
Takeaway
Early feeds are tiny and frequent. Day 1 brings 5–7 mL sips; week 2 often lands near 60–90 mL per feed; daily totals hover near 150 mL/kg. Let your baby steer the rhythm, and use the two tables here to set smart starting points you can tweak with cues and comfort.