Newborn breast milk intake starts near 5–7 mL per feed on day 1, rising to about 45–60 mL by week 1 and 60–90 mL by weeks 2–3.
Those first days come with tiny tummies and frequent feeds. Most newborns nurse 8–12 times across 24 hours, so the ounces per feed look small while the total across a day adds up. Early on, your baby leads the schedule with hunger cues. As days pass, intake per feed grows, intervals stretch a touch, and diaper output tells you the plan is working.
This guide explains expected per-feed volumes by day and week, shows simple math for daily totals, and shares bottle tips if you’re offering expressed milk. You’ll also find easy checklists to confirm that milk transfer is on track. Every baby is different, yet these ranges help set clear, calm expectations.
How Many Ounces Of Breast Milk For Newborns: By Day & Week
At birth, the stomach is small, so feeds are frequent and measured. Colostrum flows first, followed by transitional and then mature milk. As supply rises, volumes per feed climb steadily. Use the table below as a practical map for typical ranges, paired with average feed counts in a day.
| Age | Per-Feed Volume (mL / oz) | Feeds In 24 Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 5–7 mL / ~0.2 oz | 8–12 |
| Day 2 | 10–15 mL / ~0.3–0.5 oz | 8–12 |
| Day 3 | 22–27 mL / ~0.75–0.9 oz | 8–12 |
| Days 4–6 | 30–60 mL / ~1–2 oz | 8–12 |
| Weeks 2–3 | 60–90 mL / ~2–3 oz | 8–12 |
| Around 1 Month | 80–150 mL / ~2.7–5 oz | 7–10 |
Feed counts cluster at the high end in the first two weeks, then settle as babies take more at once. Evening cluster feeding can still pop up. That pattern is normal and often linked to growth spurts and comfort needs. If you want a quick reference on typical feeding rhythm, see the CDC guidance on how much and how often.
What Those Ounces Mean
On day 1, a teaspoon or two per feed looks tiny, yet it’s perfect for a marble-sized stomach. By day 3, the stomach has stretched, and milk volume per feed jumps. By week 1, your baby can take about 1.5–2 oz, with many feeds still landing near the lower end during sleepy stretches. By weeks 2–3, 2–3 oz per feed becomes common, especially during calm, deep latch sessions. For a friendly visual of stomach size milestones, the Cleveland Clinic’s first-year feeding overview is handy.
Daily Total: Typical Ounces Across 24 Hours
Daily intake is the product of two things: how many feeds there are and how much your baby transfers at each session. Newborn totals start small and rise quickly as milk changes from colostrum to mature milk. By the end of the first week, many babies reach double-digit ounces per day. In the second and third weeks, totals climb again as per-feed volume increases while frequent feeds continue.
A Quick Math Check
Here’s a simple way to calm the mental math. Pick a typical per-feed volume for the day you’re on and multiply by 8–12 feeds. On day 3, if your baby takes close to 0.8 oz per feed and nurses 10 times, that’s around 8 oz across the day. In week 2, if your baby averages 2.5 oz per feed with 9 feeds, that’s near 22.5 oz. Ranges are wide and still normal.
Why Totals Level Off Later
After the first month, many exclusively breastfed babies plateau near a stable daily intake over several months while growth continues. That happens because milk composition shifts along with appetite and sleep patterns. Per-feed volumes creep up, but the number of feeds often drops a bit, keeping the daily total in a steady band. Some days will dip, others will surge. Growth spurts, naps, and evening routines all play a role.
Bottle Amounts For Expressed Milk
If you’re offering expressed milk, aim for small, responsive portions that match what your baby would draw at the breast. Paced bottle feeding helps babies set the tempo and lowers the chance of overfilling. Early bottles in week 1 often hold 1–2 oz. By weeks 2–3, many babies take 2–3 oz per bottle. Around one month, 2.5–4 oz portions are common, still guided by your baby’s cues.
Watch the rhythm: slow start, brief pause, then a steady roll with frequent breaks. Hold the bottle more horizontal, keep the nipple partly filled, and pause every minute or so to check engagement. If your baby relaxes the jaw, turns away, or leaves milk in the bottle, the meal may be done. If your baby stays eager after a pause, offer a little more.
Right-Sized Bottles Reduce Waste
Using 2–4 oz storage portions keeps warming fast and limits leftover milk. If your baby wants more, you can add a fresh ounce. That approach matches on-demand feeding and keeps stash rotation simple. Label by date, store flat to save space, and rotate older bottles forward so nothing lingers.
Reading Hunger And Fullness Cues
Early cues arrive before crying. Look for rooting, lip smacking, bringing hands to mouth, bright eyes, and a wiggly head. Crying is a later cue and can make latching tougher. During a feed, you’ll see a wide, deep latch, long jaw drops with pauses, and steady swallows. Toward the end, the rhythm slows, hands and shoulders relax, and your baby may let the nipple slip from the mouth.
When Baby Wants More
If your baby stays alert after a burp and searches again, offer the same breast or the second side. If bottle feeding, add small increments and keep the pacing slow. If your baby gulps and then spits up repeatedly, the flow may be too quick. Tilt the bottle more horizontal, try a slower nipple, and build in more pauses.
Simple Ways To Confirm Enough Milk
Diapers and growth are the scoreboard. After the first few days, expect at least five to six heavy wets in 24 hours. Stools turn yellow by the end of week 1. Frequent stools are common in the early weeks. Steady weight gain is the long-range signal. Routine checks keep the picture clear.
Latching And Transfer Basics
A deep latch makes transfer easier and helps protect nipples. Bring baby chest-to-chest, nose to nipple, and wait for a wide gape. Aim the nipple toward the roof of the mouth, with more areola visible above the top lip than below the bottom lip. You’ll hear soft swallows after the initial let-down. If the latch pinches, break the seal gently with a finger, reposition, and try again.
Pumping Notes For The First Weeks
If you pump between nursing sessions, expect modest volumes at first. Many full-time nursing parents see totals near 0.5–2 oz per short session when pumping immediately after a feed. Output grows with time, practice, and timing. Single morning sessions often yield more after the first few weeks. Double pumping can help, and hands-on massage during let-down can add a bit more.
Timing That Fits Your Day
If you’re building a small stash, add one pump after an early morning feed. If you’re replacing a full feed while away, plan session lengths that match your baby’s usual interval. A relaxed setup helps: warm flanges, a comfortable seat, and sips of water close by. Stash milk in 2–4 oz packs so you can warm only what you need.
Safe Bottle Prep And Handling
Wash hands, use clean bottles, and warm milk gently in a bowl of warm water or under warm running water. Swirl to mix separated fat. Avoid microwaves since hot spots can form. Fresh milk goes to the front of the fridge rotation, frozen milk cools overnight in the fridge before warming. Label every container with date and volume to streamline the day.
| Age Band | Usual Bottle Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | 1–2 oz (30–60 mL) | Small, frequent portions |
| Weeks 2–3 | 2–3 oz (60–90 mL) | Paced feeding, add if cues persist |
| Weeks 4–6 | 2.5–4 oz (75–120 mL) | Portions vary by time of day |
When To Reach Out
Touch base with your care team if wet diapers are scarce after day 4, stools stay dark past day 4, weight gain stalls, or feeds are painful. Also reach out if your baby seems sleepy at most feeds, latches shallowly, or feeds fewer than eight times across the day in the first two weeks. Quick tweaks early keep things smooth.
Tips That Keep Feeding Peaceful
Set The Stage
Bring baby close, keep ears-shoulders-hips in a line, and relax your shoulders. Use a footstool if your lower back tenses. Dim lights for night feeds, and keep a small burp cloth nearby. If you’re bottle feeding, try a semi-upright hold for your baby and keep the bottle at a gentle tilt.
Work With Growth Spurts
Expect surges in appetite around days 7–10 and again near weeks 3–4. More frequent feeds signal your body to make more milk. These phases pass quickly. Lean on skin-to-skin time and switch sides as needed. If pumping, add a bonus session during the surge and rest when you can.
Putting It All Together
Newborns take small, frequent sips at first, then step up in tidy jumps. Day 1 brings teaspoons per feed. Day 3 moves near one ounce. Week 1 lands around 1.5–2 oz. Weeks 2–3 reach 2–3 oz. Across the day, totals climb with that steady march. Watch diapers, growth, and cues. Use small bottle portions, paced technique, and gentle routines. Your baby’s signals lead the way, and the ounces follow.