Most newborns take 1.5 to 3 oz per feed in the first weeks, rising to about 3 to 4 oz by 1 month, guided by hunger cues and steady diaper counts.
New babies eat often. Tiny tummies fill fast, then empty fast. Ounces shift quickly across the first month, and what’s right hinges on age, weight, and cues. This guide gives clear ranges, sample math, and simple ways to read appetite without turning feeding into a strict clock.
How Many Ounces Does A Newborn Need Per Day?
There isn’t one perfect number. In the first days, offer small feeds often. If using formula only, 1 to 2 oz every 2 to 3 hours is a solid starting point. By the end of the first month, many babies take roughly 3 to 4 oz per bottle and space feeds to about every 3 to 4 hours. Breastfed babies usually feed more often with smaller volumes per session, because milk flow and supply adapt across the day.
Newborn Bottle Amounts And Frequency (First 4 Weeks)
| Age | Ounces Per Feed | Feeds In 24 Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1–2 | 1–2 oz | 8–12 |
| Days 3–7 | 1.5–2.5 oz | 8–12 |
| Weeks 2–3 | 2–3 oz | 8–10 |
| Week 4 | 3–4 oz | 7–8 |
Use ranges, not hard caps. If a baby drains the bottle and still roots or licks lips, offer a bit more. If they turn away, ease the urge to “finish it.”
The Body-Weight Rule For Formula
A practical day total for formula is about 2.5 oz per pound of body weight, with an upper limit near 32 oz in 24 hours. Here’s how the math works. An 8-lb baby needs about 20 oz across the day. Split into eight feeds, that’s roughly 2.5 oz per feed. If weight is 10 lb, the daily ballpark is 25 oz; across seven feeds, that’s around 3.5 oz each.
For age-based patterns and the 2.5 oz per lb guidance, see the AAP formula schedule and the CDC guide on formula amounts. Both outline small, frequent feeds in the first days and gradual increases through the first month.
Breastfed Newborns: Ounces Look Different
You can’t see ounces at the breast, so let rhythm guide you. Most babies nurse 8–12 times in 24 hours at first. Sessions may cluster in the evening, then stretch at night. If you offer expressed milk in a bottle in the early weeks, expect small serves, often in the 1.5–3 oz range. What matters is steady weight gain and content behavior after feeds.
Hunger Cues And Fullness Cues
Watch the baby, not the clock. Early hunger signs arrive before tears. Offer the breast or bottle when you see any of these, and pause when fullness shows.
Early Hunger Cues
- Rooting or turning the head with an open mouth
- Lip smacking or tongue flicks
- Hands to mouth, light fussing, faster eye movement
Fullness Cues
- Relaxed hands and body
- Turning away from nipple or teat
- Slower sucking, dozing off, milk leaking from lips
Responsive feeding keeps intake on track. Offer, watch, and adjust. If a nap or long stretch trims a feed, the next one often runs a little bigger.
Sample Day Patterns
Days 1–3: Gentle Starts
Plan for 8–12 feeds each day. Bottles are 1–2 oz. Breastfeeds can be brief and frequent. Expect cluster spells. Diapers begin to pick up as milk comes in.
Week 2–3: Building Rhythm
Many babies settle into 2–3 oz per bottle with 8–10 feeds. Breastfeeding often stays near 8–12 sessions, with longer pauses creeping in overnight.
Week 4: Bigger Serves
Formula feeds often reach 3–4 oz, about every 3–4 hours. Breastfeeding can still be 8–12 sessions, though some babies now manage a 4–5 hour stretch.
How To Tell Intake Is On Track
Diapers and growth tell the story. From day four onward, aim for at least 5–6 wet diapers a day. Stools vary, yet a newborn usually passes several daily in the first weeks. At checkups, steady gains on the growth chart confirm that feeding volume matches needs.
Avoiding Overfeeding With Bottles
Babies sometimes take more from a bottle than they planned because flow is fast and sucking feels soothing. Try paced bottle feeding: hold the baby semi-upright, keep the bottle level so milk fills the teat without gushing, pause every few minutes for a breath and a burp, and switch sides so both eyes and arms engage. Offer a smaller bottle first; you can always add an extra ounce if cues say “more.” For formula, keep the daily ceiling near 32 oz unless your clinician gives a different target.
Daily Ounce Target By Weight (Formula)
Use this quick chart to turn weight into a day total. The middle column uses 2.5 oz per lb. The right column shows a per-feed idea if you offer eight feeds.
| Weight (lb) | Daily Ounces | Per Feed (8/day) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 15 oz | ~2 oz |
| 7 | 17.5 oz | ~2.25 oz |
| 8 | 20 oz | ~2.5 oz |
| 9 | 22.5 oz | ~2.75 oz |
| 10 | 25 oz | ~3 oz |
These are guides. If a baby wants a touch less at one feed, the next feed may run longer. Keep an eye on daily totals and the 32 oz cap for formula.
When To Adjust Ounces
Signs To Offer More
- Baby drains bottles and still roots for more
- Short intervals between feeds with restless periods
- Weight gain lagging between visits
Signs To Hold Steady Or Offer Less
- Frequent spit-ups during and after feeds
- Gulping, coughing, or pulling off from fast flow
- Gassy discomfort or loose stools after larger bottles
Small, steady changes work well. Add a half ounce to a few daytime bottles and watch behavior. If all seems smooth, keep it. If spit-ups rise, step back.
Practical Prep And Safety Notes
Formula
- Use the scoop that comes with the tin; level it each time
- Mix with the exact water amount on the label
- Discard any leftover formula in the bottle after one hour
- Store prepared bottles as directed on the label and rewarm safely
Expressed Milk
- Label the date and time on each container
- Thaw in the fridge or under cool running water, then warm gently
- Swirl to mix; don’t shake hard
- Never microwave
Real-World Math You’ll Use
Converting Milliliters And Ounces
Many bottles mark both units. If yours doesn’t, use this: 30 mL equals about 1 oz. So 60 mL is 2 oz; 90 mL is 3 oz; 120 mL is 4 oz. For tiny top-ups, 15 mL equals 0.5 oz. Write these on a fridge card to make night feeds simpler.
Sleep Stretches And Missed Feeds
Long naps happen. In the first weeks, try not to miss many feeds in a row. If a baby sleeps past the 3–4 hour mark during the day, a gentle wake and a calm feed can help keep total intake steady. At night, one longer stretch is common; daytime feeds usually make up the difference.
Preterm, Low Birth Weight, And Health Needs
Some babies need tailored plans for ounces and timing. If your baby was born early, had a low birth weight, or has health concerns, your pediatrician may set different targets and methods, including fortified milk or different nipple flows. Bring weight checks and feeding logs to visits; they help fine-tune the plan.
Bottom Line For Newborn Ounces
Early days call for 1 to 2 oz every 2 to 3 hours for formula-only feeds. By 3–4 weeks, many babies take 3–4 oz per bottle with longer gaps. For breastfed babies, think sessions, not ounces: 8–12 feeds across the day with content behavior and plenty of wet diapers. Use the weight rule for formula to set a day target, keep totals under 32 oz, and let cues lead the way.