For newborn feeds, expect about 1–2 oz in week 1 and around 2–4 oz by weeks 2–4, guided by hunger and fullness cues.
Newborn feeding brings lots of questions on day one. The big one: how many ounces per feed does a newborn need? Ranges shift fast in the first month, and no two babies eat the same way. The goal is steady growth and a calm rhythm, not hitting a single number at every session.
Below you’ll find age-by-age ranges, a weight-based formula rule, and clear signs to match portions to your baby’s appetite. Where medical groups share exact figures, those are linked so you can check the source while you read.
Newborn Ounces Per Feed: Safe Ranges By Week
These week-by-week ranges reflect typical volumes seen in the first month. Breastfed babies often take smaller, more frequent feeds; formula-fed babies tend to space sessions a bit more. Use the table to size bottles or to sense whether a latch-and-burp session landed in a reasonable band.
| Age | Ounces Per Feed | Feeds Per 24 Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 0–24 hours | 0.5–1 oz | 8–12 (bf) / 6–8 (formula) |
| Days 2–3 | 0.5–1.5 oz | 8–12 (bf) / 6–8 (formula) |
| Days 4–6 | 1–2 oz | 8–12 (bf) / 6–8 (formula) |
| Week 2 | 1.5–3 oz | 8–12 (bf) / 6–8 (formula) |
| Weeks 3–4 | 2–4 oz | 8–12 (bf) / 6–8 (formula) |
Think of the bands as guides, not quotas. If a feed lands low in the range but your baby wakes ready to eat again soon, that’s still fine. If a bottle finishes near the upper band and your baby relaxes and stays settled, that’s fine too.
Breast Milk And Formula: Why Volumes Differ
Breast milk digests quickly and nursing involves work at the breast, so sessions come more often. In the first weeks, nursing 8–12 times in 24 hours is common. Many formula-fed newborns eat every 3–4 hours, so single feeds look bigger even though the daily total may match.
By the end of the first month, many babies take roughly 3–4 oz at a time. Brands differ a bit in flow and bottle venting, and each baby has a pace. If pacing is slow and relaxed, intake often lands right where it needs to be.
Reading Hunger And Fullness Cues
Your baby tells you when to pour a little more and when to stop. Early hunger cues include hand-to-mouth movements, lip smacking, rooting, or light fussing. Crying usually comes late. Signs of fullness include slower sucking, turning away, relaxed hands, or drifting to sleep.
- Start when early cues show up; don’t wait for hard crying.
- Pace bottles so your baby can pause; tip the bottle down during breaks.
- Stop when cues say “I’m done,” even if a little milk remains.
Night Stretches And Waking For Feeds
Short stretches overnight are normal in week one. If a newborn sleeps longer than four to five hours in the first couple of weeks, many pediatric sources suggest waking for a feed, then letting stretches lengthen once weight gain is on track.
Weight-Based Formula Estimate (Quick Rule)
For bottle formula, a simple yardstick helps: about 2.5 oz per pound of body weight across a day, with a soft upper cap near 32 oz per 24 hours for most babies. Split that daily total by the number of feeds your baby usually takes.
Example: a 7 lb newborn might average about 17–18 oz spread across the day. If your baby usually takes eight feeds, that’s around 2–2.5 oz per feed. Growth spurts and cluster feeding can nudge those numbers for a day or two.
| Weight (kg) | Weight (lb) | Daily Total (oz) |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5 kg | 5.5 lb | 13.8 oz/day |
| 2.9 kg | 6.5 lb | 16.2 oz/day |
| 3.4 kg | 7.5 lb | 18.8 oz/day |
| 3.9 kg | 8.5 lb | 21.2 oz/day |
| 4.3 kg | 9.5 lb | 23.8 oz/day |
| 4.8 kg | 10.5 lb | 26.2 oz/day |
| 5.4 kg | 12.0 lb | 30.0 oz/day |
Portioning, Bottles, And Pace
Build bottles in small steps. Early on, pour 1.5–2 oz, then add another half-ounce if your baby stays eager after a burp break. With expressed milk, store in 2–4 oz portions to cut waste. Use slow-flow nipples in the early weeks and hold the bottle horizontal so milk doesn’t rush.
Paced Bottle Steps
Hold your baby nearly upright, tickle the lips with the nipple, and let your baby draw it in. Keep the bottle more flat than vertical so milk doesn’t gush. Offer short pauses every few swallows. Switch sides partway so the head turns both ways. A mid-feed burp keeps air down and often makes room for the last sips.
When The Numbers Seem Off
Watch the big picture. Steady weight gain, bright wakeful periods, and plenty of wet diapers point to enough intake. Lots of spit-up, a tight belly, or clear distress after feeds can hint at too much, too fast. If something feels off, bring a log of feed times and volumes to your baby’s clinician for a tailored plan.
Remember, ounces per feed are only one part of the story. A hungry baby who eats 1.5 oz eight to twelve times may end the day with the same total as a baby who finishes 3 oz six to eight times. Both patterns can be healthy.
Sample Day Plans You Can Tweak
Every family runs on a different clock. Use these sample patterns to sketch a starting point, then let cues steer you. If your baby is small, waking often, or gaining slowly, smaller, more frequent sessions usually make sense. If your baby takes bigger bottles and sleeps longer stretches, you’ll see fewer, larger feeds.
Pattern A: Smaller, Frequent Sessions
- Target 10–12 feeds in 24 hours.
- Offer 1.5–2.5 oz per feed in weeks 1–2; 2–3 oz in weeks 3–4.
- Plan burp breaks at the one-ounce mark and near the end.
Pattern B: Larger, Spaced Sessions
- Target 6–8 feeds in 24 hours.
- Offer 2–3 oz per feed in weeks 1–2; 3–4 oz in weeks 3–4.
- Protect the first morning feed; babies often eat big after night sleep.
Troubleshooting Common Hiccups
Lots of spit-up: Try a slower nipple, keep the bottle more horizontal, add an extra pause, and keep upright for 20–30 minutes after feeds.
Falling asleep early: Strip a layer, switch sides, burp, or change the diaper mid-feed to perk things up, then resume.
Always acting hungry: Check flow and pace first. If cues stay strong after a calm, paced feed, add a half-ounce and reassess at the next session.
Tummy gurgles and gas: A gentle bicycle of the legs and an extra burp can help. If discomfort persists, ask your clinician about technique, flow, and bottle choices.
What To Track During The First Month
Simple notes help patterns emerge. Track start times, estimated ounces, diapers, and mood. A two-day log is often enough to see whether portions line up with your baby’s energy and sleep. Bring any concerns to your baby’s next checkup; growth trends guide the plan more than a single feed number.
For formula volumes and daily limits, see the AAP’s formula schedule. For feeding cues from birth through early months, see the CDC’s hunger and fullness guide.