Newborns take about 5–7 mL per feed on day 1, rising to roughly 30–60 mL by days 4–6 across 8–12 feeds (≈570–900 mL/day once milk is in).
Newborn Milk Intake In Ml By Day And Feed
Right after birth, your baby gets colostrum. It’s thick and rich, so the amount is small but packs a punch. Feeds come often — about 8–12 in a day — and spacing settles later. Responsive, cue-based feeding keeps things on track. The NHS even describes those first sips as “about a teaspoon at each feed” in the early days, which matches what many parents see.
Here’s a clear view of the first week. These numbers aren’t a target to hit at every feed. They’re a ballpark so you can prep tiny cups or syringes if needed, or gauge bottle volumes for expressed milk.
| Age | Typical Per Feed (mL) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 5–7 | Colostrum; tiny tummy |
| Days 1–2 | 5–15 | Frequent feeds, skin-to-skin helps |
| Days 2–3 | 15–30 | More swallows, longer sucks |
| Days 3–4 | 30–45 | Milk changing; stools lighten |
| Days 4–6 | 30–60 | Mature milk building |
| Days 7–10 | 45–90 | Stomach capacity ~60–85 mL by day 10–12 |
Plan for 8–12 feeds in 24 hours in the early days. Some babies bunch feeds together (cluster feeding), then sleep a longer stretch. Watch cues, not the clock. If you want a spacing reference, the CDC outlines a 2–4 hour pattern for many newborns during the first weeks.
How Feeds Add Up Over 24 Hours
Once milk volume rises, daily intake climbs fast. Across the first two weeks, many babies settle near three-quarters of a liter per day, give or take. That total usually holds steady through the next few months while feed length and spacing change.
Daily Intake After Milk “Comes In”
From about week 2 through month 6, the average daily intake for an exclusively breastfed baby sits around 750 mL, with a common range of 570–900 mL. Across 8–10 feeds, that works out to roughly 60–120 mL per feed for many babies. Some will take a bit less more often, some a bit more less often — both patterns fit well.
What This Means For Bottles Of Expressed Milk
When prepping bottles, start small and top up only if cues say your baby wants more. A handy starting range after the first week is 60–90 mL. If your baby usually has nine feeds, divide the day’s total by nine to set a default bottle size, then tweak to your baby’s cues. Paced bottle feeding helps match the slower flow of the breast and eases the urge to nudge a baby to “finish the bottle.”
Hunger Cues And Fullness Cues You Can Trust
Hunger often shows as stirring, hand-to-mouth, rooting, soft fussing, then crying last. Satiety looks like relaxed hands, slower sucking, turning away, or falling asleep at the breast. Latch time varies a lot; aim for active swallowing and a comfy latch rather than a set minute count.
- Feed when early cues show. Waiting for crying can make latching harder.
- End the feed when baby shows fullness. Don’t chase a “target” ounce at the breast or in a bottle.
- At the breast, switch if swallowing slows. Breast compressions can help more milk flow.
When Intake Seems Low: Quick Checks
Work through a few basics before changing volumes. Tiny tweaks often lift transfer and intake.
Latch And Position
Deep latch with lips flanged and more areola below the nipple than above usually brings better transfer and less soreness. If feeds hurt or baby slips off often, hands-on help from a skilled lactation specialist can make a fast difference.
Feed Count
In the first weeks, most babies nurse at least 8–12 times daily. Long gaps can trim total intake. Offer both sides if baby stays interested, and let the second side run as long as active swallows continue.
Diapers And Weight
By day 4 or 5, expect many wet diapers and frequent mustard-yellow stools with visible seedy bits. Weight should trend up after the usual early dip. If diapers are scarce or weight isn’t rising, seek same-day care.
When To Seek Urgent Care
Call your baby’s doctor now for fewer than three wets by day 3, dark urine after day 3, dry mouth, weak cry, extreme sleepiness, or if baby can’t stay latched and seems listless.
Bottle Feeding Expressed Milk Without Overdoing It
Use a slow-flow nipple, hold baby upright, keep the bottle more horizontal, and pause often. Let baby set the tempo. This keeps intake aligned with cues and trims spit-ups and gassiness.
- Offer small, frequent bottles rather than big, infrequent ones.
- Swap “finish the bottle” for “watch the cues.”
- Share feeds with another caregiver so baby accepts the bottle without stress.
Expressing And Storing: Quick Math
Full daily output after the first week often lands between 570 and 900 mL. If you’re away for three feeds, set aside three bottles of 60–90 mL and a small top-up bottle. Label dates and keep portions modest to cut waste. Frozen milk can expand, so leave headspace in the container.
| Age Window | Daily Intake (mL) | Per Feed (8–10 feeds) |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 2–6 | 570–900 | 60–120 |
| Months 2–3 | 570–900 | 60–120 |
| Months 4–6 | 570–900 | 60–120 |
Helpful Habits That Boost Transfer
- Skin-to-skin. Set aside unrushed time chest-to-chest each day.
- Feed often. Offer both sides overnight too; milk-making hormones run high at night.
- Breast compressions. Squeeze gently when swallowing slows.
- Paced bottles. Keep the flow slow and cue-led when using expressed milk.
Questions Parents Ask A Lot
What if baby wants more right after a feed?
Offer the other side or return to the first. Cluster feeding pops up with growth spurts. Your supply adapts when milk is removed often.
What about night feeds?
Night feeds protect supply and keep intake steady. Many babies keep at least one night feed through month 6.
How big should bottles be later on?
Many breastfed babies stick close to the same daily total through month 6 even as they grow. As solids start around month 6, milk remains the main food for a while, so keep bottles in the same ranges unless cues tell you otherwise.
Quick Recap
Day 1 looks tiny: 5–7 mL per feed. By days 4–6, many feeds land near 30–60 mL. After the first week, most babies take about 570–900 mL per day across 8–10 feeds, which often means 60–120 mL per feed. Let cues lead, and shape bottle volumes to match your baby, not the label on a nipple. For a deeper dive on early volumes, see the NHS guide to breastfeeding in the first few days.