Most newborns drink about 16–24 ounces per day in the first month, moving toward 24–32 ounces by 4–6 weeks, with smaller, frequent feeds at the start.
Newborn feeding looks like a blur of tiny sips, short naps, and more tiny sips. Daily ounces change week by week, and the right number depends on age, weight, and hunger cues. This guide gives clear ranges and simple math so you can size feeds with confidence while watching your baby, not the clock.
Why Daily Ounces Change Fast
Across the first weeks, stomach capacity grows quickly. Day one often brings teaspoons at a time; by the end of the first month many babies handle 3–4 ounces per feed. Breastfed babies tend to feed more often with smaller portions, while formula feeds stretch out a bit longer. Both paths work; the aim is steady weight, content wake time, and enough wet diapers.
| Age | Feeds & Ounces/Feed | Approx. Daily Total |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1–2 | 8–12 feeds; 0.5–1 oz each | 4–12 oz |
| Days 3–4 | 8–12 feeds; 1–2 oz each | 8–24 oz |
| Days 5–7 | 8–10 feeds; 1.5–2.5 oz each | 12–25 oz |
| Weeks 2–3 | 7–9 feeds; 2–3 oz each | 14–27 oz |
| Weeks 4–6 | 6–8 feeds; 3–4 oz each | 18–32 oz |
The per-feed ranges reflect common patterns shared by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC. See the AAP’s guide to formula amounts and the CDC’s page on formula frequency for the baseline numbers.
Ounces A Day For Newborn: Real-World Ranges
You’ll see wide ranges because babies vary. Bigger babies may take larger bottles sooner. Use the ranges below as a starting line, then let hunger and fullness cues steer the day.
Formula Rule Of Thumb
A simple math rule helps for bottles: about 2.5 ounces of formula per pound of body weight across 24 hours, with a ceiling near 32 ounces. So a 7-pound newborn lands near 17–20 ounces per day; a 9-pound newborn lands near 22–25 ounces. Split that daily total into 6–10 feeds based on wake windows and cues.
Breastfed Daily Intake
In the first week, many breastfed newborns transfer about 1–2 ounces per feed as supply builds. By weeks 3–6, daily intake often lands between 20 and 30 ounces, spread across 8 or so sessions. After the first month, total daily intake stays mostly steady for months while feed length and spacing evolve.
Hunger And Fullness Cues That Matter
Crying is late. Look earlier for lip smacking, rooting, hand-to-mouth moves, and steady alertness. Full looks like relaxed hands, turning away, slower sucking, or dozing off. Responding to cues keeps intake aligned with need and lowers the risk of overfeeding.
Diapers And Weight Gain
Output is the daily report card. After day four, most babies pass at least five to six wet diapers every day. Stools shift from dark meconium to yellow, soft stools by the end of the first week. Birth weight usually dips at first, then returns by about two weeks and climbs from there.
Feeding Frequency By Age
Early on, expect 8–12 feeds in 24 hours. By week three, many babies shift toward 7–9 sessions. Near the one-month mark, some settle into 6–8 feeds with longer naps between sessions.
Signs You Might Be Overfeeding
Frequent spit-up, belly swelling, coughing during feeds, and fussing soon after a bottle can signal too much, too fast. Try paced feeding, smaller portions, and an extra burp break. Daily totals above 32 ounces on formula warrant a review of bottle pace and nipple flow.
Bottle Sizes And Nipples
Newborn nipples marked “slow” or “preemie” help match a gentle flow. If a baby finishes a bottle in a few minutes or coughs often, the flow may be too fast. A feed that takes 15–20 minutes with pauses fits many newborns better.
Breastfeeding Numbers: Pumping And Bottles
If you pump, track average output across a day, not just one session. When offering expressed milk, start with 2 ounces, offer a pause, then add an ounce if cues stay strong.
Hold the baby more upright, tilt the bottle just enough to keep milk in the nipple, and offer breaks for burps every few minutes.
Troubleshooting Intake
Sleepy Newborn
Some babies snooze right through hunger. Strip to a diaper, try skin-to-skin, tickle feet, or change the diaper to spark alertness. Offer a feed at least every three hours in the early days until weight is back on track.
Gassy Or Unsettled
Switch positions mid-feed, add a burp, and give time to reset. Short, stacked feeds can go down easier than one large bottle. If gas runs wild or stools turn bloody, call your pediatrician.
Weekly Checkpoints: Weeks 1 To 6
- Week 1: Small volumes, many feeds. Watch diapers and latch. Expect a weight dip, then a steady climb.
- Week 2: Feeds feel less chaotic. Portions nudge upward. Night wakes stay frequent.
- Week 3: A growth spurt may hit. Intake can jump for a day or two. Keep offering on cue.
- Week 4–6: Portions reach 3–4 ounces for many babies. Some stretch one longer sleep, then catch up with daytime feeds.
Math You Can Use
Take weight in pounds, multiply by 2.5, and you have a ballpark daily ounces for formula. Try this: 7.5 lb × 2.5 = about 19 ounces. Split into eight feeds for ~2.5 ounces each, or seven feeds for a little under 3 ounces each.
If a bottle is drained quickly and baby still roots, add half an ounce and watch the next two feeds. If milk is left over often, pour a touch less next time. Small tweaks beat big swings.
Sample Daily Plans By Weight
These samples use the bottle rule to turn weight into daily ounces, then split that number into feeds. They’re guides, not targets. If your baby wants a little more at one feed and a little less at the next, that’s normal.
| Baby Weight | Daily Total (Formula) | Sample Split |
|---|---|---|
| 6 lb (2.7 kg) | ≈15 oz/day | 8 feeds → ~2 oz each |
| 7.5 lb (3.4 kg) | ≈19 oz/day | 8 feeds → ~2.5 oz each |
| 9 lb (4.1 kg) | ≈23 oz/day | 7 feeds → ~3.25 oz each |
When Totals Look Low
Check latch, bottle flow, and timing. Short, sleepy feeds can underfill a day. Bring feeds closer for a day or two and watch diapers. If output stays low or weight stalls, talk with your pediatrician.
When Totals Look High
Some babies love to suck and may speed through large bottles. Try a slower nipple, hold breaks, and shorter sessions. Aim to keep daily formula under 32 ounces unless your doctor advises otherwise.
Spit-Up Or Vomiting?
Spit-up dribbles or arcs shortly after feeds and rarely bothers the baby. Vomiting is forceful, repeated, and can follow every feed. Repeated vomiting needs prompt medical care.
Night Feeds And Growth Spurts
Most babies still need night feeds in the first months. Cluster feeds toward evening are common. When a growth spurt hits, intake can jump for a day or two and then settle. Offer an extra feed when cues run strong and scale back when sleep stretches lengthen.
Safety Checks, Limits, And Extras
Bottle prep matters: follow package directions, use safe water, and don’t pack more powder to make a “stronger” bottle. Skip extra water for newborns; breast milk or formula supplies fluids. Fully breastfed babies need 400 IU of vitamin D daily; many drop brands meet this with a single daily dose. Never microwave bottles; heat can create hot spots and degrade nutrients. Warm in a bowl of warm water or a bottle warmer, and swirl to mix fat before serving.
When To Talk With Your Pediatrician
Reach out if feeds feel like a struggle, output drops, weight gain stalls, or spit-up turns forceful and frequent. Preterm babies and babies with medical needs often follow different plans and need closer tracking.
Putting The Numbers To Work
Start from your baby’s age band and weight. Pick a daily ounces range from the table that matches what you see at each feed. Split the day into feeds that match your routine, then adjust in small steps. When diapers, growth, and mood look good, you’ve found the sweet spot.
Twins, Preemies, And Small For Dates
Many will follow plans from the care team. Volume goals may be set per kilogram, and feeds may be more frequent. Keep close notes and share them at checkups.
Expressed Milk And Formula: Storage Basics
Use clean hands and gear. Freshly expressed milk can sit at room temp for a few hours, in the fridge for a few days, and longer in the freezer. Mixed formula belongs in the fridge if not used within two hours; toss any milk left in the bottle after a feed.
Gear Setup That Helps
A small feeding log, a few slow-flow nipples, and a soft night light can make the routine smoother. Keep burp cloths within reach. Prep bottles ahead when safe, then warm in a cup of warm water. Label pumped milk by date and volume, and store in flat bags to save freezer space and speed thawing. A calm, dim room helps many babies feed better.
What Matters Most
Match the daily ounces to your baby, not someone else’s chart. Watch cues, diapers, and growth. Feed with patience, pace the flow, and let your newborn set the rhythm. Small gains add up across the week nicely enough.