Plan 60–90 mL (2–3 oz) per feed, 8–12 times daily; use 150–200 mL/kg a day (about 2.5 oz per lb) as a guide.
Newborn bottle basics
Brand-new babies eat tiny amounts at first. Stomach capacity grows fast across the first week, so the size of each bottle rises quickly while the number of feeds stays high. Feeds stay close together at first.
Week one: small stomach, frequent sips
Here’s a simple map of early feeds. Use it as a starting point, then follow your baby’s cues.
| Age | Per feed (mL/oz) | Feeds per day |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 5–10 mL (1–2 tsp) | 8–12 |
| Days 2–3 | 15–30 mL (0.5–1 oz) | 8–12 |
| Days 4–6 | 30–60 mL (1–2 oz) | 8–12 |
| End of week 1 | 45–90 mL (1.5–3 oz) | 8–12 |
These early numbers line up with pediatric guidance that by the end of the first month many babies take 90–120 mL (3–4 oz) about every 3–4 hours, with a daily total near 32 oz. You can read the AAP’s formula amounts and schedule for more detail.
Weeks two to four: per-feed growth
Across the rest of the first month you’ll see steadily larger bottles and a bit more time between feeds. Many babies settle around 60–90 mL (2–3 oz) at the start of week two, rising toward 90–120 mL (3–4 oz) by week four. Night feeds still happen; if sleep stretches past 4–5 hours in the first weeks, wake to feed.
Bottle milk amount for newborns: daily totals
Daily needs scale with size. A common rule is about 150–200 mL per kg of body weight in 24 hours, which matches the rule of thumb of about 2.5 oz per lb a day. Most babies do best spread over 8–12 feeds early on, then 7–9 feeds as the month goes on. Avoid going over 32 oz in 24 hours unless your pediatrician advises it.
How to use the weight rule
Pick your baby’s weight, multiply by 150–200 mL/kg, then divide by the number of feeds you’re aiming for. That gives you a per-bottle target you can nudge up or down based on hunger and fullness cues.
Hunger cues and fullness cues
Your baby’s behavior is the best guide in real time. Look for early hunger signs such as stirring, rooting, turning the head, bringing hands to mouth, or soft fussing. Late signs include hard crying and a rigid body. Fullness shows up as relaxed hands, slower sucking, turning away, sealed lips, or dozing off at the bottle.
From a few days old, expect around six wet diapers in a day and regular stools that shift from meconium to mustard-yellow by the end of week one. Low output, dark urine, or dry lips call for an extra check with your pediatrician.
Schedule examples you can try
These are guides, not rules. Use them to sketch your day, then flex based on your baby.
- 3.0 kg (6 lb 10 oz) baby, early week two: Aim for 150–200 mL/kg/day → 450–600 mL total. Split into 10 feeds: 45–60 mL (1.5–2 oz) each.
- 3.5 kg (7 lb 11 oz) baby, late week two: 525–700 mL/day. Eight to nine feeds: 65–90 mL (2–3 oz).
- 4.0 kg (8 lb 13 oz) baby, week four: 600–800 mL/day. Seven to eight feeds: 75–120 mL (2.5–4 oz).
Safety first with prep and storage
Safe mixing and storage keep each bottle gentle on the gut. Always measure water and powder as the label directs; never water down a feed. Formula does not need warming. If you like a warm bottle, skip the microwave and use warm running water. Use mixed formula within two hours, and within one hour of the start of a feed. Unused bottles that go straight into the fridge can be stored up to 24 hours. See the CDC’s formula preparation and storage page for clear steps.
Daily total by weight (quick reference)
Use this chart for a ballpark daily total, then split by your chosen number of feeds.
Ranges use 150–200 mL/kg/day; ounces use 29.6 mL per oz.
| Baby weight | Total per day (mL/oz) | Typical bottle size |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) | 375–500 mL (13–17 oz) | 45–75 mL (1.5–2.5 oz) |
| 3.0 kg (6.6 lb) | 450–600 mL (15–20 oz) | 60–75 mL (2–2.5 oz) |
| 3.5 kg (7.7 lb) | 525–700 mL (18–24 oz) | 65–90 mL (2–3 oz) |
| 4.0 kg (8.8 lb) | 600–800 mL (20–27 oz) | 75–105 mL (2.5–3.5 oz) |
| 4.5 kg (9.9 lb) | 675–900 mL (23–30 oz) | 75–120 mL (2.5–4 oz) |
| 5.0 kg (11 lb) | 750–1000 mL (25–34 oz) | 90–120 mL (3–4 oz) |
Paced bottle feeding tips
A slow-flow nipple, frequent pauses, and an upright hold help babies set the tempo and avoid gulping. Keep the bottle level so milk just fills the nipple. Switch sides partway through the feed. Offer burp breaks after 30–60 mL (1–2 oz) and at the end. Don’t prop the bottle, and don’t add cereal to the bottle.
Night feeds and stretching sleep
In the first weeks, most babies still need night feeds. If a newborn sleeps past 4–5 hours and is missing feeds, wake for a bottle. As daytime intake rises and weight climbs, stretches at night often lengthen on their own. Try a calm, dim setting at night, keep changes quick, and put the baby back down drowsy.
Formula and expressed milk: what changes
Both can be offered in a bottle. Formula volumes often climb a little faster across the first months. Expressed breast milk tends to hold steadier once supply matches demand. In the first month, many babies land in the same per-feed range either way: about 60–120 mL (2–4 oz). If your baby gets both, pace feeds and let appetite lead.
What if my baby wants more or less?
Babies self-regulate well. If the bottle empties fast and your baby still cues for more, pour another 15–30 mL (0.5–1 oz) and watch the next feed for patterns. If feeds drag on and a lot remains, step the size down a little. Growth spurts can bring cluster feeds for a day or two. If hard spit-up, choking, poor weight gain, fewer than five wet diapers, or hard stools show up, ask your pediatrician.
Special cases that change the plan
Prematurity, low birth weight, jaundice care, reflux treatment, or specific medical guidance can change volumes or timing. Follow your care team’s plan and ask about any goal numbers you should use at home. Twins often do well with shared prep and staggered feeds, but aim to watch each baby’s cues one at a time.
How to build a smooth bottle routine
These small habits make feeds calmer and safer.
- Pick a slow-flow nipple that matches your baby’s suck.
- Hold baby semi-upright, chin off chest.
- Touch the nipple to the lip, wait for a wide latch, then angle the bottle so milk just fills the tip.
- Keep noise low and limit distractions so your baby can focus on feeding.
- Track feeds with a simple log for a week; patterns pop out fast.
- Share the load with another carer so you can rest.
Age-by-age recap for month one
Here’s a quick recap you can save on your phone.
- Days 1–2: 5–10 mL per feed, 8–12 feeds.
- Days 3–4: 15–30 mL per feed, 8–12 feeds.
- Days 5–7: 30–60 mL per feed, 8–12 feeds.
- Weeks 2–3: 60–90 mL per feed, 8–10 feeds.
- Week 4: 90–120 mL per feed, 7–9 feeds.
- Daily total target: about 150–200 mL/kg/day, not above 32 oz a day unless your pediatrician asks for it.
Final pointers
Feed responsively, size bottles for today’s weight, and use safe prep. Your baby’s cues beat any chart. When in doubt, ask your pediatrician and bring a short feed log to the visit. Keep bottles small at first, scale gently, and write down weight at home weekly so your math stays fresh and the plan stays simple.
Common mix-ups to avoid
These traps can make feeds tougher than they need to be.
- Watering down formula lowers calories and can be risky.
- Microwaving bottles creates hot spots; use warm running water instead.
- Pushing large bottles can lead to spit-up and gas.
- Fast nipple flow makes babies gulp air; choose a slower flow and pause often.
- Forcing the last drops ignores fullness cues; stop when baby turns away.
- Leaving mixed formula at room temp breaks the two-hour rule.
How this guide fits formula and pumped milk
Bottle milk can mean infant formula or expressed breast milk. The numbers above work for both because young babies take small, frequent feeds regardless of source. What shifts is how volume grows across the months.
With formula, per-feed size often creeps up faster as tummy capacity expands. With pumped milk, intake tends to settle once supply and appetite match; babies drink roughly the same amount per feed while the milk itself changes to meet needs. Either way, size bottles for today’s weight and let hunger and fullness cues drive the tweaks.
If someone else is feeding your baby, share your preferred pace, typical bottle size, and how to read your baby’s stop signs. That simple handoff keeps feeding styles steady and cuts down on guesswork.
Gear checklist for easy bottle days
You do not need much to get started; the right basics make life easy.
- 4–6 small bottles (120 mL/4 oz) for the first month, plus a few 240 mL/8 oz bottles for later.
- Slow-flow nipples that match your bottle brand and a spare pack.
- Bottle brush and a small drying rack; sterilize new gear and after illness.
- Insulated cooler bag with ice packs for trips out.
- Measuring jug for water and a clean container for portioned powder if you’re going out.