Most newborns take about 150–180 mL per kg in 24 hours from all feeds, split across frequent feedings; watch diapers and weight to confirm intake.
Why This Question Matters
New parents often want a clear number for daily milliliters. The truth: intake shifts with weight, age, and feeding method. You’ll get the best estimate by using a weight-based range and then watching your baby’s cues. This guide gives you simple math, real-world ranges, and easy checks so you can feed with confidence.
How Many mL Should A Newborn Eat Daily: Real-World Ranges
A practical rule many clinicians use is weight-based. Aim for about 150–180 mL per kilogram of body weight each day. For formula, the American Academy of Pediatrics also offers the “2½ ounces per pound per day” rule, with a daily cap near 32 ounces. Both point to the same ballpark. For a quick reference, see the AAP’s formula-feeding guide and the NHS figure of 150–200 mL per kg per day. Here’s how it plays out with typical newborn weights.
A quick conversion note: 150–180 mL per kg mirrors roughly 2½ ounces per pound each day, so you can work in either unit without losing accuracy.
Quick unit check: mL equals milliliter, and 30 mL is roughly 1 ounce. Many baby bottles show both scales, so you can pour or pump to the line that matches your plan. If you’re tracking in grams on a scale, 1 mL of milk weighs about 1 gram, which makes math easy when you combine pumped volumes. Handy during busy nights too.
Daily Intake By Weight (Newborns)
| Weight (kg) | 150 mL/kg/day | 180 mL/kg/day |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5 | 375 | 450 |
| 3.0 | 450 | 540 |
| 3.5 | 525 | 630 |
| 4.0 | 600 | 720 |
| 4.5 | 675 | 810 |
How To Turn The Day’s Total Into Feeds
Newborns feed often. Breastfed babies usually eat 8–12 times in 24 hours. Formula-fed babies tend to settle into about 6–8 feeds as the first month unfolds. To plan portions for bottles, take the daily total and divide by your expected number of feeds. Example: a 3.2 kg baby at 150 mL/kg/day needs about 480 mL in 24 hours. If you’re aiming for 8 feeds, that’s roughly 60 mL per feed. If your baby finishes the bottle and still cues, offer more; if they leave milk behind, the next bottle can be a touch smaller next time.
Breastfed Newborns: You Can’t See The mL, So Watch The Signs
With direct breastfeeding, the exact milliliters stay hidden. That’s fine. Your best gauges are behavior, diaper counts, and weight checks. After day five, expect about six or more wet diapers in 24 hours and soft yellow stools. Between feeds, a content baby who wakes to eat and then settles is on track. Short bursts of cluster feeding can pop up in the evening or during growth spurts. Keep responding to cues and let your baby set the pace. If diaper counts or weight don’t match the pattern here, talk with your baby’s doctor.
Per-Feed Amounts Across The First Month
In the first week, most babies take about 30–60 mL per feed. By the end of the first month, bottles often land around 90–120 mL per feed. Schedules vary. Some babies sip small and often; others take fuller bottles and go a bit longer. If nights are stretching past four to five hours in the early weeks, wake your baby to feed. That keeps intake steady and keeps growth steady.
Weight-Based Math You Can Trust
Here’s a simple way to check your plan at any time:
- Convert weight to kilograms.
- Pick a daily target in the 150–180 mL/kg band.
- Divide by your baby’s usual number of feeds.
- Adjust up or down as your baby shows hunger or fullness.
The daily cap for formula is about 960 mL. Few newborns get near that amount, but it’s a helpful ceiling when bottles are going down fast.
What About Babies On Both Breast And Bottle?
Mixed feeding works well with the same math. Estimate the day’s total, offer the breast on cue, and use small top-up bottles to reach the range. On days with frequent nursing, you might use little or no top-up. On sleepier days, bottles may carry more of the load. Over a few days, intake averages out.
Second-Week And Third-Week Shifts
Around the second and third weeks, many babies hit a growth spurt. Appetite jumps, and feeds bunch closer together. If you’re using bottles, you may notice per-feed volumes nudging up by 10–15 mL. If you’re nursing, sessions may stack back to back in the evening.
Per-Feed Quick Reference (Birth To 4 Weeks)
| Age Window | Per Feed (mL) | Typical Feeds/24 h |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1–7 | 30–60 | 8–12 |
| Weeks 2–3 | 60–90 | 8–12 (breast) / 6–8 (formula) |
| Week 4 | 90–120 | 6–8 |
When The Numbers Don’t Match The Baby
Numbers guide you, but your baby casts the deciding vote. A newborn who drains every bottle and searches for more likely needs bigger portions or an extra feed. A baby who fusses at the end of bottles, spits up large amounts, or seems uncomfortable may be getting too much in one sitting. Try smaller bottles more often and keep burp breaks gentle and frequent.
Diapers, Weight, And Other Green Flags
You’ll see reliable signs when intake fits well:
- Steady weight gain after the first-week dip, with birth weight regained by two weeks.
- Six or more good wet diapers a day after day five.
- Yellow, loose stools by the end of week one, then a pattern that suits your baby.
- A baby who wakes for feeds, latches or takes the nipple eagerly, and relaxes after eating.
These signs beat any number on a page.
Safe Upper Limits And Overfeeding
Some babies love to suck and will keep going even when full. For formula, stay under about 960 mL per day unless your clinician advises otherwise. If bottles are draining fast, try a slower teat, pause for burps, or offer a pacifier after feeds to satisfy the need to suck without extra milk. For breastfed babies, milk flow naturally self-regulates as supply and demand match up.
How To Handle Nights
Night feeds protect intake and help growth. Many newborns eat every two to three hours round the clock at first. Some babies cluster feed at dusk, then give a longer stretch after midnight. Once weight gain looks steady and your clinician is happy with progress, stretches may lengthen. Until then, plan for at least one wake-up in the small hours, often two. Keep lights low, keep changes quick, and aim to get everyone back to sleep after a calm feed.
Practical Tips For Tracking mL Without Stress
- Use small bottles early on. Fills of 45–60 mL reduce waste and let you top up if needed.
- If you pump, combine small volumes from several sessions to build a full bottle.
- Don’t chase precision to the last milliliter. A 10–20 mL swing is normal across feeds.
- Log feeds and diapers for a few days if you’re unsure. Then set the app aside once things feel steady.
- Bring any worries to your baby’s clinician, especially if hunger cues seem nonstop or diapers drop off.
Twins, Preemies, And Special Situations
Small or early babies may start with lower per-feed volumes and more frequent feeds, guided by individualized plans. If your baby was born early, had a low birth weight, or is recovering from an illness, ask for a written plan with daily totals and per-feed targets fit for your baby. These plans may set tighter ranges and include scheduled check-ins to keep weight gain on track.
How To Split Feeds Through A Busy Day
Parents often ask for a sample day. Here’s one for a 3.5 kg baby using a 150 mL/kg/day target (≈525 mL total):
- 6:00 — 70 mL
- 9:00 — 65 mL
- 12:00 — 65 mL
- 15:00 — 70 mL
- 18:00 — 75 mL
- 21:00 — 70 mL
- 00:00 — 60 mL
- 03:00 — 50 mL
That’s eight feeds, an evening bump, and a bottle overnight. Swap times to fit your rhythm, and adjust portions as your baby shows you what works.
Red Flags That Need Prompt Care
Call your baby’s clinician right away without delay if you see any of the following:
- Fewer than six wet diapers a day after day five.
- No weight regain by two weeks.
- Extra sleepy baby who’s hard to wake for feeds.
- Repeated vomiting, green vomit, or blood in spit-up.
- Fewer than eight feeds in 24 hours for a breastfed newborn in the early days.
- Signs of dehydration (dry mouth, no tears, sunken fontanelle).
- Fast breathing, grunting, or any breathing concern at rest.
Bottle Prep And Safety Reminders
When using formula, follow the tin’s instructions for mixing, use safe water guidance for your region, and keep made bottles chilled if you prepare ahead. Discard leftovers from a feed. Clean and sterilize kit as your local guidance recommends. Safe prep keeps your careful measuring worthwhile.
Why Your Baby’s Range May Sit Outside The Chart
Every baby brings a different pace, size, and appetite. Some stay near 150 mL/kg/day, others edge closer to 180 mL/kg/day. Growth spurts can push intake up for a few days. Illness can pull intake down. Your job isn’t to aim for perfection; it’s to stay responsive, watch diapers and weight, and ask for help when something feels off.
Bottom Line For New Parents
Pick a weight-based daily range, split it across frequent feeds, and let your baby fine-tune the plan. If you’re using bottles, sizes will likely rise from 30–60 mL in week one to 90–120 mL by the end of month one. If you’re nursing, watch diapers, weight, and contentment. You’ve got this.