Newborn bottles: 1–2 oz (30–60 mL) per feed, 8–12 times daily; by days 10–14 many take 2–3 oz (60–90 mL).
New parent life comes with dozens of tiny decisions, and few feel bigger than the ounces in a bottle. The goal isn’t to chase a perfect number; it’s to match what your baby asks for, keep feeds unhurried, and keep waste low. The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that newborns eat often—many babies nurse or take a bottle 8–12 times in 24 hours—and early feeds are small before building up across the first couple of weeks (AAP guidance). Below you’ll find practical ranges, how to portion pumped milk, and simple bottle tactics that protect pace and comfort.
Newborn Bottle Volumes In The First Two Weeks
Stomach capacity climbs quickly in the early days. That’s why day-one bottles look tiny and week-two bottles look more familiar. Use the table as a starting point for expressed milk, then adjust by cues.
| Age | Per Feed (mL / oz) | Feeds In 24 H |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 5–10 mL (0.2–0.3 oz) | 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 |
| Days 7–14 | 60–90 mL (2–3 oz) | 8–12 |
Some feeds will be smaller and some bigger. Cluster patterns in the evening are common. If a bottle finishes fast and baby still shows strong hunger cues, top up in small steps, one ounce at a time, and slow the flow.
How Much Bottled Breast Milk For A Newborn: Real-World Ranges
In the first month, many breastfed babies take about 19–30 oz (570–900 mL) across a full day once supply is in. That total usually spreads across 8–12 feeds, so a lot of bottles land in the 1–3 oz lane. A simple way to portion: match the gap since the last full feed. If the last feed was an hour ago, offer about 1–1½ oz; if it’s been three hours, offer about 3–4 oz. Keep the bottle slow and responsive so baby can pause and decide.
Hunger, Fullness, And Pace Cues
Reading cues keeps bottles right-sized. You’ll see patterns appear within days.
Hunger Looks Like
- Rooting, hands to mouth, open-mouth nuzzling
- Soft whimpers or alert, searching looks
- Short bursts of fussing that settle once the bottle touches the lips
Fullness Looks Like
- Relaxed hands, slower sucking, longer pauses
- Turning away from the nipple or milk spilling from lips
- Falling asleep with a loose jaw and heavy eyelids
Gentle Pace For Bottles
- Hold baby fairly upright; keep the bottle more horizontal than vertical.
- Let baby draw the nipple in; don’t push it deep.
- Every 20–30 seconds, tip the bottle just enough to pause flow, then resume.
- Switch sides midway, as you’d switch breasts, to keep neck and eyes comfy.
Portioning Pumped Milk Without Waste
Early on, portion small. Store several 1–2 oz packs and a few 3–4 oz packs, rather than only big bags. Start a feed with a small bottle; add a warmed ounce if baby clearly wants more. This keeps leftovers low and protects every drop you worked for. For storage, safety comes first—see the CDC’s breast milk storage and handling for room-temp, fridge, freezer, thawing, and the two-hour rule for unfinished bottles.
Diapers, Weight, And When To Ask For More Help
Output and weight checks tell you far more than a single bottle size. After the first few days, many babies produce at least six wet diapers and regular soft stools. Newborn weight usually returns to birth weight by about two weeks. If output dips, if weight lags, or if feeds feel like a struggle, ask your pediatrician or an IBCLC for tailored planning. A small change in nipple flow, pace, or portion can make a big difference.
Feeding Rhythm Across A Day
Use this sample to sketch a rhythm, then let your baby edit it. Newborns are great editors.
| Time Since Last Feed | Offer (mL / oz) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ~1 hour | 30–45 mL (1–1.5 oz) | Short snack; go extra slow and pause often. |
| ~2 hours | 60–75 mL (2–2.5 oz) | Steady pull; watch hands and jaw for fullness. |
| ~3 hours | 75–120 mL (2.5–4 oz) | Start with 2.5–3 oz; add 1 oz if cues stay strong. |
Warming, Holding, And Flow Tips
Warm Just Enough
Most babies accept milk that’s lukewarm or even cool. Warm bottles by swirling in a cup of warm water. Microwaves heat unevenly and are best skipped.
Pick A Slow Nipple
Newborns do well with a slow or newborn flow. If feeds are done in minutes with gulping and wide eyes, try a slower nipple and more pacing. If feeds drag on with effort and frustration, a slightly faster nipple may help.
Keep Baby Upright
Upright holds reduce fast flow and support digestion. A slight angle lets air rise in the bottle so you can pause often without leaks.
Night Feeds And Cluster Sessions
Evening cluster feeds are normal. Offer frequent small bottles, keep the room calm, and accept that bedtime may drift a little on heavy feeding days. At night, many babies settle with 2–3 oz bottles delivered slowly. Short, quiet diaper changes and dim light help everyone ease back to sleep.
Building A Bottle Plan For Pumping Days
When you’re away from your baby, plan the number of bottles around the length of separation, not the clock alone. A handy baseline for newborns is one bottle for roughly every 2–3 hours apart, with an extra small portion as a backup. Label bottles with volumes so a caregiver can start small and add as needed. Remind caregivers to pace, burp between pauses, and stop when baby turns away—even if there’s milk left.
Leftovers, Reuse, And Labeling
Unfinished milk can be used within two hours after a feed starts; past that window it should be discarded. Date each bottle and note the amount. Thawed milk should be used within the time frames in the CDC chart and not refrozen. Swirl gently to remix cream before serving and avoid vigorous shaking.
Signs A Bottle Might Be Too Big
- Frequent spit-ups paired with short feeds
- Arching away mid-feed yet finishing because the flow is fast
- Very short naps right after gulping large bottles
If you see these, slow the flow, drop the portion a little, and watch cues closely at the next feed.
Signs A Bottle Might Be Too Small
- Strong hunger cues returning within 30–45 minutes
- Consistent, frustrated crying at the end of paced feeds
- Poor weight gain paired with low diaper counts
Increase by 0.5–1 oz and keep the same pace. Spread intake across the day rather than loading it into one or two large feeds.
How To Brief A Caregiver
Your One-Page Bottle Note
- Start with 1–2 oz; add 1 oz if cues stay strong.
- Keep baby upright; hold the bottle nearly level.
- Pause every 20–30 seconds; burp midway and at the end.
- Stop when baby turns away or relaxes. Don’t aim to “finish.”
- Use small, dated bottles; follow the two-hour reuse window.
Special Situations
Sleepy Starter
Some newborns snooze through cues. Offer skin-to-skin, gentle undressing, and a slow bottle every two to three hours until weight is back to birth weight and cueing is clear.
Daycare Rhythm
Send extra small bottles and a written cue-based plan. Ask staff to start with a small portion, pace well, and hold the rest for top-ups.
Pumping Output Feels Low
Replace valves and membranes on schedule, check flange fit, and add one short pump in the morning for a week. Small daily gains add up fast.
Frequently Missed Basics
- Bottle held straight up creates a fast waterfall. Tilt it down and let baby lead.
- Only big freezer bags means big leftovers. Freeze small and mix sizes.
- Rushing every feed trains fast habits. Slow is smoother on tiny tummies.
Putting It All Together
Start with modest bottles, watch your baby, and respond. Early feeds often sit at 1–2 oz; by the second week, many land at 2–3 oz. Count diapers and keep the vibe calm. Use small portions, slow nipples, and steady pauses. Lean on the AAP overview for cadence and the CDC storage guide for safety, then let your baby’s cues fine-tune every bottle.