Newborn feeding amounts: during the first week 30–60 mL per feed, rising to 75–120 mL by 2–4 weeks, guided by hunger cues and growth.
New babies eat small, frequent meals. Stomach size is tiny at birth, so intake per feed grows fast across the first month. Numbers below describe typical ranges for healthy term babies. Your baby’s pattern can still differ a bit.
Feed on cue. If the latch is deep, swallowing is heard, and diaper counts look good, the volume is usually on track. If the bottle empties fast and your baby still cues, offer a little more.
Here are early intake benchmarks many parents find useful. These ranges cover both breast milk at the breast or expressed, and standard infant formula.
| Age | Typical Intake (mL) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1–2 | 5–10 | Colostrum; 8–12 feeds in 24 hours |
| Day 3–4 | 15–30 | Milk volume rising; evening cluster feeds are common |
| Day 5–7 | 30–60 | Two breasts or a paced bottle in 10–20 minutes |
| Week 2 | 60–90 | Many still feed at least every 3 hours |
| Week 3–4 | 75–120 | Some longer stretches at night begin |
Newborn Feeding Amounts In ML Per Feed By Week
Day 1–2: about 5–10 mL per feed. Colostrum flows in small volumes and is rich in protein and protective factors. Formula or expressed milk at this stage stays modest too. Expect 8–12 feeds in 24 hours.
Day 3–4: about 15–30 mL per feed. Milk volume climbs as mature milk comes in. Some babies bunch feeds close together, often in the evening.
Day 5–7: about 30–60 mL per feed. Many babies now take both breasts or finish a paced bottle in 10–20 minutes.
Weeks 2–4: about 60–120 mL per feed. The time between feeds begins to stretch for some babies, yet most still eat at least every 3 hours.
A handy rule for formula planning is about 2½ ounces per pound per day, which equals about 75 mL per pound. That math comes from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Breastfed babies set intake by demand; the CDC notes most newborns feed 8–12 times a day and may cluster feed at times.
Breastfeeding: What To Expect
Early days bring frequent feeds while supply settles. Aim for 8–12 sessions daily and watch for steady swallows. A softening breast and a relaxed baby at the end of a feed are good signs.
If your baby only snacks at the breast, offer the other side and try switch nursing. Skin-to-skin contact often boosts cueing and transfer.
Bottle Feeding: Pacing And Flow
Hold your baby upright and keep the bottle level so milk just fills the nipple tip. Let your baby draw milk in, then pause to breathe. This pacing helps match the flow they’d face at the breast.
Choose a slow-flow nipple at first. If gulping, coughing, or leaks around the lips are common, the flow may be too fast. If sucking seems hard work and feeds drag on, move up a step.
Formula Math That Fits Real Days
Use weight to sketch a day plan. The AAP rule of 75 mL per pound per day converts to about 150–170 mL per kilogram. Split that day total by the number of feeds you expect.
Newborns often take 8 feeds in 24 hours. If one stretch at night runs longer, the other feeds usually make up the difference.
| Weight | Day Total (mL) | Per Feed For 8 Feeds (mL) |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5 kg (5 lb 8 oz) | 375–425 | 45–55 |
| 3.0 kg (6 lb 10 oz) | 450–510 | 55–65 |
| 3.5 kg (7 lb 11 oz) | 525–595 | 65–75 |
| 4.0 kg (8 lb 13 oz) | 600–680 | 75–85 |
These numbers guide shopping and prep only. Let your baby finish at their own pace and stop when relaxed. Crying near the end can signal a burp break instead of a bigger portion.
Hunger And Fullness Cues That Matter
Hunger cues: stirring, rooting, hands to mouth, rapid eye movement during light sleep, eager latch, steady suck-swallow pattern.
Fullness cues: open hands, relaxed arms and legs, slowed or sleepy suck, turning away, milk leaking from sides of the mouth.
Cues beat the clock. If your baby wakes and shows early cues before the timer, feed then.
Feeding Frequency And Day-Night Rhythm
Most newborns eat every 2–3 hours around the clock. Some take two feeds close together, then nap longer. If sleep runs past 3 hours in the first two weeks and weight gain is still being established, wake for a feed.
By the third or fourth week, many babies manage one longer stretch overnight. The day still holds 7–9 feeds for most families.
Burping, Spit-Up, And Portion Tweaks
Pause to burp midway and at the end. Gentle pressure up the back helps bring up air. If spit-up is frequent yet painless and weight gain is steady, try smaller portions with an extra feed.
If spit-up is forceful, green, or streaked with blood, or if weight stalls, see your pediatrician without delay.
Notes For Preterm Or Low Birthweight Babies
Babies born early or small often start with tighter volume goals. Hospitals set plans based on weight, gestational age, and medical needs. Expect careful tracking of mL per feed and day totals while growth stabilizes.
Once home, follow the plan you were given and ask for adjustments during checkups. Growth charts for preterm infants use corrected age, so progress may be charted a bit differently.
Sample First-Month Day Plan
Here is a simple template for a 3.5 kg newborn taking 8 feeds daily. Day total target using 150–170 mL/kg sits near 525–595 mL. Adjust up or down based on cues and weekly weight checks.
6:00 a.m. 70 mL • 9:00 a.m. 70 mL • 12:00 p.m. 70 mL • 3:00 p.m. 75 mL • 6:00 p.m. 75 mL • 9:00 p.m. 75 mL • 12:00 a.m. 80 mL • 3:00 a.m. 80 mL.
Safe Prep And Storage Basics
Follow package directions for mixing. Use clean water and measure scoops level. Make bottles fresh when you can. If storing, chill promptly and use within the time window listed on the tin.
Warm bottles in a bowl of warm water or a bottle warmer. Avoid microwaves. Discard milk left in the bottle after a feed.
Wash parts with hot soapy water and air dry. Sterilize new sets and any time illness runs through the home.
Practical Tips That Build Confidence
Track diapers and weight. Six or more wet diapers and regular stools after day 4 point to good intake.
Hold your baby close at feeds. Eye contact and calm pacing often lead to better transfer than big portions.
Ask your care team about latch checks, weight checks, and paced bottle lessons if feeds feel tricky.