Most newborns take about 5–7 mL per feed on day 1, rising toward 30–60 mL per feed by the end of week 1, with 8–12 feeds in 24 hours.
Newborn Milk Per Feed (mL): Day-By-Day Guide
Newborn bellies are tiny on day one, which is why feeds are small and frequent. That early pattern helps babies match intake to what their body can handle while your milk supply or chosen formula routine settles. Volumes climb fast over the first week, then increase more gradually. Use the chart below as a practical range, not a rigid rule.
Numbers here reflect typical volumes seen in healthy term babies. Some babies take a little more, some a little less. What matters day to day is steady weight gain, enough wet and dirty diapers, and a satisfied baby between feeds. If you’re bottle-feeding, pace the bottle so your baby can pause, breathe, and decide when they’ve had enough.
Early Days: Typical mL Per Feed And Frequency
| Age | Approx mL Per Feed | Feeds / 24 h |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 5–7 mL | 8–12 |
| Day 2 | 5–15 mL | 8–12 |
| Day 3 | 22–27 mL | 8–12 |
| Day 4–5 | 30–45 mL | 8–12 |
| Day 6–7 | 45–60 mL | 8–12 |
| Weeks 2–3 | 60–90 mL | 7–10 |
These figures align with well-documented newborn stomach capacity trends: roughly 5–7 mL on day 1, around 22–27 mL by day 3, and about 45–60 mL per feed by the end of week 1. Formula-fed newborns often fall in the same early ranges and usually move to larger, less frequent bottles as the weeks pass. For bottle feeds in the first days and weeks, the CDC’s guidance on formula amounts is a helpful cross-check.
What Shapes Your Newborn’s mL Per Feed
Stomach Size And Maturation
On day one, stomach capacity is only a teaspoon or so. By day three it’s closer to a walnut. Around day seven it can handle one-and-a-half to two ounces per feed. That rapid change explains why day-one feeds look tiny while day-seven feeds look far more generous.
Feeding Method
Breastfeeding sessions vary because the flow changes during a let-down and because babies differ in how efficiently they transfer milk. One breast may be enough for a feed early on, while both may feel right later. Bottle volumes are easier to see, yet babies still self-regulate if you hold the bottle horizontally, keep pauses, and let them stop without pressure to “finish.”
Baby’s Size And Timing
Heavier babies often take more across the day, though single-feed volumes still sit near the ranges above in week 1. Timing matters too: many babies take a bit more at certain times and a bit less at others. Shorter feeds can alternate with longer, deeper feeds, especially through growth spurts in the first weeks.
Breastfeeding: Converting Feeds To mL Without A Scale
You won’t see exact mL during direct nursing, and that’s okay. Use output and behavior as your dashboard. By days four to five, you should see several wet diapers and at least a couple of stools, with color shifting from meconium to mustard over the first week. Latch feels comfortable, audible swallows come in bursts, and your baby relaxes as the feed progresses.
Feeding Cues To Start
Watch for early cues: stirring, hands to mouth, rooting, lip smacking, and bright, searching eyes. Crying is late; if you start earlier, feeds are calmer and more efficient. Many newborns nurse eight to twelve times in a day, sometimes more during cluster periods in the evening.
Signs A Feed Went Well
After a good feed, hands open, body softens, and your baby often releases or drifts to sleep. Over the day, you see steady wet diapers and the next feed starts from a calm state rather than frantic hunger. If you pump occasionally, you’ll notice session volumes rise through the first two weeks, then settle into a steadier rhythm.
Formula Feeding: mL Per Feed That Grows With Your Baby
In the first week, most babies take around 30–60 mL per bottle. Over the first month, many move toward 90–120 mL per feed on a three-to-four-hour rhythm. A widely used rule of thumb is about 75 mL of formula per pound of body weight over 24 hours, with a practical daily cap near 960 mL for most infants unless your pediatrician sets a different target. See the AAP’s detailed bottle-feeding page for the full breakdown.
Paced Bottle Technique
Hold your baby upright, tickle the lip with the teat, let them draw the teat in, and keep the bottle more horizontal so milk doesn’t pour. Build in pauses every few swallows. Swap sides halfway through to mimic breastfeeding. Stop when your baby turns away, relaxes hands, or stops sucking with interest.
Picking A Nipple Flow
Go with a slow-flow teat in the early weeks. If your baby struggles, takes in lots of air, or coughs with a faster flow, step back down. If feeds stretch forever and baby tires out, you can test the next flow size while keeping paced pauses.
How To Use mL Targets Without Overfeeding
Think ranges, not quotas. Your baby’s appetite will swing within the day and across growth spurts. For bottles, pour a bit less than you think you’ll need, allow a pause, and top up only if your baby leans in for more. That one tweak prevents pushing past comfortable fullness and keeps spit-ups down.
Fullness Cues To Stop
- Turning head away from breast or bottle.
- Hands unclench and body relaxes.
- Sucking slows, then stops, without re-engaging after a pause.
Hunger Cues To Start Again Later
- Hands to mouth, rooting, and active searching.
- Short, rhythmic sounds that build if you miss the window.
- Alert eyes and small body wriggles toward the feeder.
Safety Notes That Keep Feeds Smooth
Formula Prep
Follow your tin’s instructions exactly. Use safe water for mixing and store prepared bottles as directed. Ready-to-feed products are a handy option when water safety is uncertain or when you need grab-and-go convenience during the early weeks.
Bottle Storage And Reuse
Once a bottle touches your baby’s mouth, use it within a couple of hours. Don’t keep part-used bottles for the next feed. Freshly made is best, and clean equipment prevents avoidable tummy trouble.
Night Feeds Without The Rush
Keep lights low, handle changes gently, and feed at the first cue you notice. That calm rhythm reduces air intake and helps everyone settle again sooner. Many families set up a small caddy with nappies, wipes, burp cloths, and a spare onesie to avoid long trips across the house.
From Newborn To Three Months: Typical mL Per Feed
By the end of the first month, most babies take roughly 90–120 mL per feed. In months two and three, many sit near 120–150 mL, with some moving a bit higher. Across this window, total daily intake still matters more than any single bottle or breast session. Use the table below to sense where your baby’s usual feed might land.
Weeks To Months: Common Ranges For A Single Feed
| Age Window | Approx mL Per Feed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| End Of Week 1 | 45–60 mL | Still 8–12 feeds daily. |
| Weeks 2–3 | 60–90 mL | Some longer gaps overnight. |
| End Of Month 1 | 90–120 mL | Many bottle feeds every 3–4 hours. |
| Month 2 | 120–150 mL | Daily total near weight-based rule. |
| Month 3 | 120–150 mL | Some babies edge higher. |
If your baby drains bottles often and still smacks lips afterward, try offering a little more next time or shorten the gap between feeds. If they routinely leave milk behind, start with a smaller pour and let your baby signal when to stop. For totals, many families keep a simple note on the phone to spot patterns across the day.
Special Situations That Change Per-Feed mL
Sleepy Starters
Some newborns are very sleepy in the first forty-eight hours. Skin-to-skin contact, gentle rousing, and frequent attempts help bring feeds up to speed. If weight checks or diaper counts lag behind targets, extra support from your midwife or pediatric care team can get things back on track.
Fast Gainers
Other babies power through growth spurts with strong appetite. That can mean short intervals and larger mL per feed for a few days. Follow cues, pace bottles, and burp midway. Things usually settle once the spurt passes.
Pumping And Bottles For Breastfed Babies
When you introduce expressed milk in a bottle, stick with slow flow, keep the same paced pattern, and offer volumes that match your baby’s usual rhythm. Many breastfed babies in months one to six take about three to five ounces per bottle, depending on time of day and how the nursing pattern looks.
Quick Checks: Is My Baby Getting Enough?
- Diapers: several wets daily by day four, plus regular stools.
- Calm baby after feeds with relaxed hands and easy breathing.
- Steady gain at visits and a content stretch between most feeds.
If something feels off, reach out to your pediatrician or health visitor. Small tweaks to latch, schedule, or bottle pacing can make a big difference in how those mL per feed feel for both of you.