In the first weeks, most newborns take about 1.5–3 oz (45–90 mL) per feed, 8–12 times daily; adjust to hunger and fullness cues.
Newborn feeding feels like a moving target. One day your baby sips tiny amounts, a few days later those bottles look small. The good news: there’s a simple range that fits almost every healthy term baby, plus clear signs that tell you when to pour a little more—or ease back.
This guide gives you practical numbers in ounces and milliliters, explains why intake changes week by week, and shows how to size bottles of expressed breast milk without waste. You’ll also learn cue-based feeding and paced bottle tips that keep feeds calm and comfortable.
How Feeding Works In The First Two Weeks
Right after birth, your baby gets colostrum. It’s thick, gold, and served in small volumes that fit a tiny stomach. Expect frequent feeds as supply and baby’s capacity rise. Mature milk flows in by about day 3–4 for most parents, and intake climbs fast over the first week.
| Age | Stomach Capacity & Notes | Typical Intake Per Feed |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Tiny stomach; colostrum feeds are frequent | About 0.5 oz (15 mL) |
| Days 2–3 | Capacity rising; still frequent | About 0.5–1 oz (15–30 mL) |
| Days 3–4 | Mature milk begins to flow in | About 1–2 oz (30–60 mL) |
| End Of Week 1 | Longer, more organized feeds | About 1.5–2.5 oz (45–75 mL) |
| Week 2 | Strong pattern of feeds across day and night | About 1.5–3 oz (45–90 mL) |
These ranges aren’t a test. Some feeds land on the low end and the next one runs higher. What matters is the pattern across the day: frequent feeds, content periods after feeding, enough wet and dirty diapers, and steady weight gain.
How Many Ounces Of Breast Milk Per Feed For A Newborn: The Realistic Range
After the first couple of days, most newborns take about 1.5–3 ounces (45–90 mL) per feed. Feeds usually come every two to three hours, adding up to 8–12 times in 24 hours. Some babies bunch several feeds close together in the evening (cluster feeding), then take a longer stretch later.
Clear guidance helps here. See the AAP’s advice on how often and how much newborns eat and the CDC’s page on how much and how often to breastfeed for baseline ranges that match real-world feeding.
If your baby drains the bottle and still shows clear hunger cues, offer a small top-up of a half ounce to one ounce. If there’s milk left and baby looks relaxed or sleepy, you can stop there. Aim for slow, responsive feeds so your baby—not the bottle—sets the pace.
Reading Hunger And Fullness Cues
Watch the baby, not the clock. Early hunger cues include stirring, rooting, hands to mouth, and soft sounds. Crying is a late cue. During the feed, look for steady sucks and swallows. Signs of fullness include slower sucking, letting the nipple fall from the mouth, open hands, and a relaxed body. These cues guide portion size better than any chart.
Bottle Sizes For Pumped Milk
Planning bottle volumes gets easier when you think in a daily total and divide by feeds. Between about one and six months, many breastfed babies average near 25 ounces (750 mL) across 24 hours, with a typical range from about 19–30 ounces (570–900 mL). Split across 8–12 feeds, that lands you near 2–3 ounces most of the day, with an occasional 3.5–4 ounce feed during a longer stretch.
For daytime care, pack several 2–3 ounce bottles and a couple of small top-up bottles (1–1.5 oz). Smaller portions reduce waste because human milk changes through the day and appetite shifts from feed to feed.
Sample 24-Hour Rhythm
Here’s a common pattern for a healthy term baby around week two to six: a feed on waking, then every 2–3 hours during the day; an evening cluster with two closer feeds; and one longer stretch of 3–5 hours at night. Total feeds still reach 8–12. Bottle sizes in this pattern usually hover around 2–3 ounces, with the feed after the longer night stretch sometimes reaching 3–4 ounces.
Paced Bottle-Feeding Made Simple
Paced feeding helps match bottle flow to breastfeeding. Hold your baby upright, keep the bottle more horizontal, and pause often so baby can breathe and choose the rhythm. Start with a slow-flow nipple. Switch sides halfway through to mimic a breastfeed and guard against overfilling. Offer breaks to burp and to check for ongoing hunger cues before continuing.
Growth Spurts And Cluster Feeds
Babies have days when intake surges. Around weeks two to three and again near six weeks, many babies cluster feed and ask sooner. Respond with more frequent, smaller servings or with an extra ounce in a few of those feeds. Once the surge passes, intake settles back to the usual range.
When To Offer More Or Less
Offer a bit more when your baby finishes quickly, stays alert, keeps rooting, or cries soon after a feed. Pour less when milk pools at the lips, sucking slows to light nibbling, fingers open, and eyes look drowsy. If spit-ups are frequent, shorten the feed, pause longer, and try a smaller volume more often.
Feeds Per Day And Suggested Bottle Sizes
The table below uses the common daily range for breastfed babies and shows bottle sizes that fit different feeding patterns. Use it as a starting point, then fine-tune with cues.
| Feeds In 24 Hours | Per-Feed Bottle | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 12 feeds | About 1.5–2.5 oz (45–75 mL) | Very frequent pattern; common early on |
| 10 feeds | About 2–3 oz (60–90 mL) | Fits many newborns in weeks 1–4 |
| 8 feeds | About 2.5–3.5 oz (75–105 mL) | Often seen once nights stretch a bit |
Special Cases That Change Intake
Late preterm babies, low birth weight babies, and babies with jaundice or medical needs often need a tailored plan. Your care team may set minimum volumes or extra feeds for a short time. Expressing after feeds can also boost supply in the early weeks if a baby tires easily. Follow the plan you received at discharge and ask for a weight check if you’re unsure about progress.
Smart Storage And Prep Pointers
Store expressed milk in small portions. Label by date and time. Thaw in the refrigerator or under cool then warm running water. Swirl, don’t shake. Warm gently; test on your wrist so it feels neutral to slightly warm. Discard any milk left in the bottle after two hours at room temperature.
Quick Recap For Sleep-Deprived Nights
Most term newborns land near 1.5–3 ounces per feed, 8–12 times each day. Watch cues to set the volume. Use paced bottle-feeding to slow the flow. Pack smaller bottles to cut waste. Expect short bursts of higher intake in the early weeks, then a steady groove.