Most newborns start near 0.5–1 oz per feed on day 1, reach 1–2 oz by days 2–3, and average 2–3+ oz by week 1 across 8–12 feeds in 24 hours.
New parents often wonder if the bottle or breast offered is “enough.” The answer shifts fast in the first days. A brand-new stomach is tiny, feedings are frequent, and intake rises steadily through the first month. Below you’ll find clear ranges by age, daily totals, and simple cues that tell you when to offer more or pause. Use these ranges as guides while watching your baby’s signals and growth checks.
Newborn Milk Ounces Per Feeding: What’s Typical?
Volumes below reflect average ranges from day 1 through the end of month 1. Your baby may land a bit under or over on any single feed. What matters is steady weight gain, good diaper counts, and content periods after feeds.
| Age | Typical Amount Per Feed | Feeds / 24 Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 (first 24 h) | ~0.2–0.5 oz (5–15 mL) | 8–12+ |
| Days 2–3 | ~0.8–1 oz (22–30 mL) | 8–12 |
| Days 4–6 | ~1.5–2 oz (45–60 mL) | 8–12 |
| Week 2 | ~2–3 oz (60–90 mL) | 8–10 |
| Weeks 3–4 | ~2.5–4 oz (75–120 mL) | 6–9 |
| End of Month 1 | ~3–4 oz (90–120 mL) | 6–8 |
Two patterns drive these ranges. First, stomach size expands rapidly across the first week, so single-feed volumes rise. Second, babies cue for frequent feeds to meet fast growth, then slowly space them out as month 1 wraps up. If nursing, expect 8–12 sessions each day early on. If bottle-feeding, start small, pace the feed, and offer more only when your baby still shows active hunger.
Daily Totals: Ounces Per 24 Hours
Daily intake depends on weight, age, and appetite. Across the first month, many babies land in these broad daily ranges:
- First 48 hours: small, frequent feeds; total intake is modest but rises each day.
- End of week 1: often 12–24 oz per day across many short sessions.
- Weeks 3–4: often 18–28 oz per day, with 6–9 feeds.
For formula, a handy rule sets an upper target: about 2.5 oz per pound of body weight per day, with a daily cap near 32 oz unless your pediatrician advises otherwise. Breastfed babies self-regulate by nursing frequency and usually meet needs without counting ounces. If you pump, your daily total still tends to track these same ranges.
If Using Formula: A Quick Rule Of Thumb
Estimate a daily goal using body weight, then divide by the number of feeds. Example: a 7 lb newborn × 2.5 oz ≈ 17–18 oz across the day. If you offer 8 feeds, that’s about 2–2.5 oz per feed. Some feeds will be a touch smaller, some a touch larger. Watch cues, not just the bottle marks, and avoid pushing a finish if your baby signals “I’m done.”
If Breastfeeding: Frequency Sets The Pace
Nursing 8–12 times per day is common in the early weeks. Sessions vary in length and flow, and cluster feeding in the evening is a normal pattern. If your baby swallows well, relaxes at the breast, and has adequate diapers, you’re likely right on track. Vitamin D drops are usually advised for babies who receive breast milk.
Signs Your Baby Wants More (Or Needs A Break)
Babies speak with body language. Offer when you see early hunger signs, and wrap up when fullness signs appear. This approach supports steady intake without overfeeding.
- Early hunger cues: stirring, hand-to-mouth, rooting, light fussing.
- Active hunger: strong rooting, eager latching, steady sucking.
- Fullness cues: slower sucking, relaxed hands, turning away, sealed lips.
Bottle Tips That Help Prevent Overfeeding
Paced bottle feeding lets your baby set the rhythm. Hold the bottle more horizontal, pause often, and switch sides midway to mimic natural breaks. Use a slow-flow nipple, keep sessions calm, and burp as needed. If your baby turns away or relaxes, end the feed even if there’s milk left. This approach lowers spit-ups and helps match intake to appetite.
Night Feeds, Cluster Feeds, And Growth Spurts
In the first two weeks, many babies wake for feeds every 2–3 hours around the clock. Short “snack and snooze” cycles are common. Around weeks 2–3, brief spurts can drive a flurry of evening feeds. Ride the wave: offer responsive feeds, keep lights low, and swaddle or hold skin-to-skin between sessions. As the month ends, stretches at night may lengthen a bit, yet most newborns still need night feeds.
When Intake Looks Low (Or High)
Single feeds bounce around. Focus on the whole day and a few simple checks:
- Diapers: by day 5, expect at least 6 wets and 3 or more stools daily in many babies.
- Behavior: calm periods after feeds and active, steady sucking during feeds.
- Weight: slight loss in the first few days is common; most babies are back to birth weight by about 2 weeks.
Call your pediatric office promptly if feeds are fewer than 8 a day in the first week, diaper counts drop, jaundice deepens, or your baby seems too sleepy to wake for feeds. If your baby drains bottles very fast with frequent spit-ups or gags, try slower flow and paced technique, and ask your care team about next steps.
How Many Ounces Per Day For A Newborn On Bottles?
If most feeds are bottles, start small, then adjust using signals and daily totals. A common rhythm at the end of month 1 is 3–4 oz per feed every 3–4 hours, totaling near 20–28 oz across the day. Some babies take a bit less with more frequent feeds; others finish a bit more with longer gaps. The daily cap near 32 oz protects against overfeeding.
Second-Week And Third-Week Tweaks
Between day 7 and day 21, many newborns move from ~1.5–2 oz toward ~2.5–3+ oz per feed. If your baby is still acting hungry right after finishing a paced 2 oz bottle, offer another 0.5–1 oz and reassess. If your baby often leaves milk, step down the starting volume on the next feed. Small adjustments like these align intake with appetite without chasing exact numbers.
Breastfeeding And Bottles In One Day
Mixed-feeding families can keep a simple rhythm: nurse on demand when you’re together, and send small paced bottles when you’re apart. Early bottles in the 1.5–2.5 oz range often work well during weeks 2–3, rising to 2.5–3.5 oz near the end of month 1. If pumping, many parents portion milk into 2–3 oz bags to keep waste low and match typical newborn needs.
Storage Notes For Pumped Milk
Portion small, label by date, and thaw gently. Many parents freeze in 2–3 oz amounts so one bag equals one newborn-sized feed. Warm just until cool room temperature, swirl to mix fat, and discard leftovers from a finished bottle to keep feeds safe.
Hunger And Fullness Cues Table
Use this table during feeds to decide whether to offer more or to pause.
| Cue | Meaning | What To Try |
|---|---|---|
| Hands to mouth, rooting | Ready to start | Offer breast or a small paced bottle |
| Strong, steady sucking | Actively feeding | Let baby lead; brief pauses to burp |
| Slower sucking, relaxed hands | Getting full | Pause; stop if baby turns away |
| Sealed lips, pushing nipple out | Full | End the feed; soothe or burp |
| Arching, coughing, gagging | Flow too fast or overfull | Switch to slower flow; pace; smaller pours |
Putting It All Together
Across the first month, many newborns move from sips to small meals. Day 1 often looks like 0.5–1 oz per feed. By days 2–3, near 1 oz is common. By week 1, 2–3 oz arrives, and by the end of month 1, 3–4 oz per feed shows up in many babies. Keep feeds responsive, pace bottles, and let your baby’s cues guide the next pour. If diaper counts or weight checks drift off track, reach out to your pediatric team for tailored help.