During the first 3–4 days a newborn usually takes about 5–40 mL per feed, rising to roughly 60–90 mL per feeding by weeks 1–3.
Newborn bellies start tiny and stretch fast. That’s why bottle sizes for expressed milk change sharply across the first two weeks. Early feeds move small volumes of colostrum. By the end of week one, most babies handle larger bottles of mature milk with ease. The goal isn’t to chase a perfect number but to match volume to age, weight, and hunger cues while keeping feeds frequent.
Most newborns feed 8–12 times in 24 hours. That rhythm supports milk supply and keeps intake steady. For a quick primer on patterns in the first weeks, see the CDC breastfeeding guidance. It explains why some babies bunch feeds together and others spread them out, both of which can be normal.
Early-Days Bottle Volumes: A Practical View
Colostrum is thick, concentrated, and served in teaspoons. Mature milk flows later and comes in bigger pours. Here’s a clear, stomach-friendly map of typical per-feed volumes through the first three weeks. Use it as a starting point, then let your baby’s cues lead the way.
| Age Since Birth | Average Per Feed (mL) | Typical Feeds / 24 h |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | ~5–10 mL | 8–12 |
| Day 2 | ~10–20 mL | 8–12 |
| Day 3 | ~20–30 mL | 8–12 |
| Day 4–6 | ~30–45 mL | 8–12 |
| Week 1–3 | ~60–90 mL | 8–12 |
Those ranges line up with what many maternity units teach and with bottle-feeding ranges found in pediatric handouts. Early bottles stay small because stomach size is small. As milk transitions and belly capacity grows, bottles scale up. If your baby wants an extra splash after finishing the planned amount, add 5–10 mL and slow the pace to check for fullness before offering more.
Expressed Milk ML For Newborns: Daily And Per-Feed
By about day 5, a simple way to plan daily totals is weight-based math. Many services plan around ~150 mL per kilogram per day for term babies during the first months. That number isn’t a cap; it’s a planning tool. Babies still guide the final tally with hunger and fullness cues.
Turn Weight Into A Daily Total
Use this quick formula after day 5:
- Daily target (mL) ≈ 150 × weight (kg)
Then split that daily total across the number of feeds your baby usually takes. If your baby feeds 10 times in a day, each bottle averages one-tenth of the total. Babies don’t split calories perfectly evenly, so some bottles will be smaller and some larger.
How Many mL Per Feed By Age
Here are age-based ranges that pair well with that weight method:
- Day 1: 5–10 mL per feed. Teaspoon-sized feeds match colostrum volumes.
- Day 2: 10–20 mL per feed. You may notice more frequent feeding.
- Day 3: 20–30 mL per feed. Milk volume is ramping up.
- Day 4–6: 30–45 mL per feed as mature milk comes in.
- Weeks 1–3: 60–90 mL per feed is common, with 8–12 feeds in 24 hours.
If feeds space out a bit overnight, the next bottle may run larger. That’s fine. Just keep the pace slow and pause for burps so your baby can signal “that’s enough.”
Hunger And Fullness Cues To Watch
Volume targets help, but babies still drive the session. Early hunger cues include rooting, lip smacking, bringing hands to mouth, or light stirring. Crying means the window was missed and latching to a bottle may take a moment. Signs that your baby is full include slower sucks, longer pauses, turned head, relaxed hands, and milk pooling at the mouth. Stop, burp, and end the feed when those cues stack up.
How Often To Offer Bottles Of Expressed Milk
In the first weeks, most newborns take a bottle every 2–3 hours during the day and often every 3–4 hours at night. Cluster feeds can pop up in the evening or during growth spurts. If your baby wants another bottle sooner than expected, offer one and shorten the volume slightly so tummy comfort stays on track. You’ll find a rhythm with a bit of trial and gentle adjustments.
Diapers And Weight: Easy Intake Checkpoints
Diaper output is an easy yardstick for intake. After the first few days, look for at least 5–6 wet diapers per day. By day 5–7, stools are usually yellow and loose in breastfed babies. Your pediatric team will also watch weight trends. Steady gain over the first weeks tells you the plan is working. If diapers are sparse, weight stalls, or your baby seems sleepy at the bottle, ask your baby’s clinician and a lactation professional for a quick check and tweaks.
Bottle Setup Tips For Expressed Milk
Start Small, Reduce Waste
In the first days, pour bottles in tiny portions (30–45 mL) and keep a second small portion chilled as a backup. It’s easy to add a little more; it’s tough to rescue milk after a long warm-up. Once your baby regularly finishes a size, bump the pour by 5–10 mL.
Use Paced Bottle Feeding
Hold the bottle more level, let your baby pull the flow, and pause often. This simple style slows swallowing, protects against over-feeding, and keeps intake closer to direct nursing patterns. Many families see fewer gassy evenings this way.
Match Nipple Flow To The Stage
Stick with a slow-flow nipple during the newborn stage. Faster nipples can lead to large, quick bottles and extra spit-up. If feeds take longer than 20–30 minutes even with steady sucking, try the next flow rate and reassess.
Warmth And Handling
Warm bottles to body temperature or serve cool if your baby accepts it. Swirl rather than shake to mix fat. Date and label bottles, and follow safe storage rules from your hospital team or the CDC.
Second-Week Check: Fine-Tuning The Plan
By the second week, your baby’s daily milk needs are more predictable. Total intake often lands between 450 and 700 mL per day for many newborns, shaped by size and appetite. If your baby steadily takes more than planned, that’s your cue to adjust pours upward. If bottles come back half full, lower the starting pour and feed a bit more often.
Weight-Based Targets After Day 5
Here is a simple chart built around the 150 mL/kg/day planning number. It shows a daily total that works for many term newborns and a sample per-feed size if you split the day into 10 bottles. If you feed 8 or 12 times, the per-feed amount shifts up or down. The math still holds.
| Baby Weight (kg) | Daily Total (mL) | Per Feed If 10 Feeds / Day (mL) |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5 | 375 | ~38 |
| 3.0 | 450 | ~45 |
| 3.5 | 525 | ~53 |
| 4.0 | 600 | ~60 |
| 4.5 | 675 | ~68 |
If your baby feeds 8 times, multiply the per-feed number by 10 then divide by 8. If your baby feeds 12 times, do the same and divide by 12. Keep listening to cues: some bottles run smaller, others larger, and that’s normal.
When To Nudge Bottle Size Up Or Down
- Spitting Up Or Fussing During Burps: Slow the pace and shave 5–10 mL off the next bottle.
- Finishing Fast And Searching: Add 5–10 mL. If that pattern repeats across a day, move the baseline up.
- Long Overnight Stretch: The next bottle often runs bigger. Offer a little more and watch cues.
- Growth Spurt Feel: Evening cluster feeds or extra wake-ups tell you to pour a bit more or feed more often for a couple of days.
Special Situations
Late-preterm or small-for-gestational-age babies: They may tire sooner and need smaller, more frequent bottles. One-on-one guidance from your care team keeps intake safe and steady.
Jaundice: Extra feeds help move bilirubin. Small, frequent bottles can be helpful while your team monitors levels.
Combination feeding: If you’re mixing direct nursing and bottles, try to mirror the nursing rhythm with similar bottle volumes. Many families keep daytime bottles modest and add one larger evening bottle if needed.
How To Build Bottles For Your Routine
- Pick A Baseline Pour: Choose the low end of the range for your baby’s age.
- Add A Backup: Keep a chilled 15–30 mL top-off ready during the first weeks.
- Use Paced Feeding: Pause often and switch sides to slow the flow.
- Track Diapers And Weight: If output and gain look good, your plan is working.
- Adjust In Small Steps: Change pours by 5–10 mL, not big jumps.
Reliable Reference Points
Two resources pair well with this guide. The CDC page above explains newborn feeding rhythms and why frequent feeds are expected early on. The AAP feeding guide lays out diaper counts and general amounts that match the ranges parents see in real life. If anything feels off—few wet diapers, sleepy feeds, weight not climbing—reach out to your baby’s clinician and an IBCLC for tailored help.
Quick Answers To Common “How Much?” Moments
My 2-Day-Old Seems Hungry Right After A 15 mL Bottle
Offer another 5–10 mL and slow the pace. On day 2, 10–20 mL per feed is common, but some babies ask for the top of that range.
My 9-Day-Old Usually Finishes 70 mL But Sometimes Wants 90 mL
That swing fits the pattern for week 2. Keep an extra 20 mL ready and watch cues. If the larger size becomes the new normal, bump the baseline by 10–15 mL.
How Do I Split Bottles Overnight?
Keep the first night bottle modest and add a top-off if needed. If a longer stretch happens, expect the next feed to run larger; pour a little more and use paced feeding to land on a comfy stop point.
Bottom Line For Parents
Newborns thrive on frequent, cue-led feeds and right-sized bottles. Early on, plan for 5–40 mL per feed through day 4, then 60–90 mL per feed across weeks 1–3. After day 5, a daily target near 150 mL/kg helps with planning, and the real-world test is simple: good diaper counts, steady weight, and a content baby between feeds. Adjust in small steps, keep the pace calm, and you’ll land on volumes that fit your baby just right.