Newborn colostrum intake: 2–10 mL per feed on day 1, rising to 15–30 mL by day 3 (about 30–100 mL total per day in the early days).
New parents ask this on day one because colostrum looks like liquid gold in tiny drops. The good news: small amounts are normal, and your baby’s pattern changes fast in the first four days.
How Many Milliliters Of Colostrum For A Newborn: Real-World Ranges
Across hospital protocols and teaching clinics, early feeds are small and frequent. Typical intakes rise with each day while your milk transitions. Here’s a clear view of what many full-term babies take from birth through day four. These per-feed ranges come from an Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine protocol and line up with day-by-day intake seen on postnatal wards and at home. For source details, see the ABM supplementation protocol (Table: average colostrum intakes).
Typical Intake Per Feed And Per Day
Daily totals vary because babies feed 8–12 times in 24 hours and some cluster feed. Use the ranges below as a guide, not a quota.
| Baby Age | Per Feed (mL) | Daily Range (mL) |
|---|---|---|
| Birth–24 hours | 2–10 | 16–120 |
| 24–48 hours | 5–15 | 40–180 |
| 48–72 hours | 15–30 | 120–360 |
| 72–96 hours | 30–60 | 240–720 |
Why These Daily Totals Make Sense
Babies often feed every two to three hours on day two and day three, with short clusters mixed in. That pattern stretches intake across many small sessions, which is why total volume can look wide even when each feed stays small.
Why Volumes Start Small
Colostrum is thick, concentrated, and rich in antibodies, living cells, and minerals. A few milliliters coat the gut and prime digestion. As your baby practices latching and you offer both sides, supply and intake increase. Around day three to day four, milk volume rises and feeds look fuller while still matching your baby’s pace.
Feeding Frequency And Early Cues
Most newborns feed 8–12 times in 24 hours in the early weeks. Watch your baby more than the clock. Early cues come before crying and make latching smoother.
Early Cues To Watch
- Stirring from light sleep, hand-to-mouth moves
- Mouth opening, tongue out, soft pecking at clothing or skin
- Rooting when the cheek is touched
- Quiet alert state with bright eyes
Once crying begins, babies may clamp or pull back, which can make latch tricky. Offering the breast during early cues keeps the session calm and helps your baby transfer those small but mighty drops.
Wet And Dirty Diapers: Your Built-In Gauge
Output is the simplest way to gauge intake in the first week. In the first few days, two to three wet diapers a day is common. By day five to seven, most babies have six or more wets and three to four yellow stools daily. Pale yellow urine and soft mustard stools point to good intake. For a clear diaper roadmap, see the American Academy of Pediatrics’ guidance on wet diapers and feeds.
Hand Expression And Syringe Feeding When Latch Is Tricky
If baby is sleepy, early, or slow to latch, you can hand express after feeds and give the drops by spoon, cup, or syringe. Hand expression pairs well with thick colostrum and helps signal your body to make more milk. Many parents see a few drops to a few milliliters in the first hour, then more across the day.
Quick Hand-Expression Steps
- Warm your hands and gently massage the breast toward the nipple.
- Place thumb and fingers about three centimeters behind the nipple, press back toward the chest, then compress and release in a steady rhythm.
- Rotate around the areola to drain different ducts. Switch sides often.
- Collect drops in a clean spoon, cup, or small syringe.
Aim for short, frequent sessions. A minute or two after many feeds adds up fast and supports rising supply as milk volume builds through day three and day four.
How Much Expressed Colostrum To Offer
When you need to give expressed colostrum, small amounts go a long way. The guide below reflects amounts often used for term babies in the first four days when giving drops by spoon, cup, or syringe after a breastfeed. Offer more only if baby shows clear hunger signs after the amount listed (wide eyes, rooting, sustained sucking on fingers, or returning to the breast with strong cues).
| Baby Age | Offer If Needed (mL) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Birth–24 hours | ~5 | Give after a latch attempt or brief feed when baby stays sleepy. |
| 24–48 hours | 5–10 | Small top-ups help through cluster periods and longer sleepy spells. |
| 48–72 hours | 10–20 | Many babies take a bit more as appetite grows and milk volume rises. |
| 72–96 hours | 20–30 | Use only if strong hunger signs persist after both sides. |
Why Small Top-Ups Work
Colostrum is energy-dense and easy to digest. Small measured offers keep feeds calm, protect the breastfeeding rhythm, and leave room for frequent practice at the breast. If you use a syringe, aim it to the corner of the mouth and pause often so baby can pace the flow.
Signs Baby Is Taking Enough
Comfort is your guide. During a good feed, you’ll see a wide latch, chin deep to the breast, and long jaw drops with quiet swallows. You’ll feel a tug, not pain. Breasts feel softer after feeds. Baby wakes for feeds, settles between many sessions, and shows steady output that matches the day-by-day diaper guide above.
What To Try If Intake Seems Low
Simple Moves That Help Today
- Skin-to-skin as much as you can. Babies cue sooner and feed more smoothly.
- Feed often, at least eight times a day. Short, frequent sessions keep practice going.
- Check position and latch: tummy to tummy, nose level with the nipple, wait for a wide gape, then bring baby in fast.
- Offer both sides. Switch back to the first side if cues return.
- Hand express for a minute or two after many feeds and give those drops by spoon, cup, or syringe.
If you see low output, sleepy feeds, dry lips, or fewer wet diapers than the day-by-day guide, talk to your baby’s clinician or a lactation specialist for a plan the same day.
Preterm Or Smaller Newborns
Babies born before 38 weeks or under six pounds may need tighter plans in the first days. Teams often set measured top-ups after each breastfeed while latch stamina grows. That plan usually tapers as cues strengthen and transfer improves. Your team may also suggest more skin-to-skin time and extra hand expression in the first 48 hours to build supply.
Storing Tiny Amounts Safely
Use 1–5 mL sterile oral syringes for early colostrum. If you add to the same syringe across the day, keep it covered in the refrigerator between sessions. At day’s end, place the capped syringe in a clean freezer bag and freeze flat. Label with date and time. When needed, thaw under cool running water or in a cup of cool water that you change as it warms. Discard any leftover milk that touched the baby’s mouth.
Practical Tips That Make Feeds Smoother
- Start skin-to-skin within the first hour when possible.
- Bring baby’s body close with ear-shoulder-hip in a line; wait for a wide gape before bringing baby in.
- Use gentle breast compressions during active sucking to boost flow and keep baby engaged.
- If baby snoozes early, rub the soles, stroke the back, or switch sides to restart the feed.
- Mid-feed burps can wake a sleepy feeder and make room for a bit more.
Bottom Line For Colostrum In ML
Across the first four days, term babies move from tiny tastes to sips and then bigger swallows. On day one, think teaspoons; by day three, tablespoons; by day four, small sips near an ounce. Feed often, watch diapers and cues, and use hand expression when latch is sleepy or short. These simple steps keep your milk program on track while your baby builds skill and stamina.