In the first month, most newborns take 60–90 mL per feed and roughly 500–800 mL of breast milk across 24 hours.
Newborn intake isn’t one number. It changes through the first days as colostrum gives way to mature milk, and it varies with feeding skill, birth weight, and time since birth. You’ll see tiny teaspoon sips on day one, then steady jumps over the next week. Below you’ll find practical mL ranges per feed and per day, plus signs that feeding is on track.
Feed on cue. Early on, that can mean 8–12 sessions in 24 hours. Short, frequent feeds build supply and meet small tummy capacity. When using a bottle of expressed milk, keep portions modest and pace the feed so baby helps set the flow.
How Much Breast Milk In ML For Newborns—Day-By-Day
| Age | Per Feed (mL) | Feeds In 24h |
|---|---|---|
| Birth–Day 1 (colostrum) | 5–7 mL | 10–12+ |
| Day 2 | 10–15 mL | 8–12 |
| Days 3–4 | 20–30 mL | 8–12 |
| Days 5–7 | 45–60 mL | 8–10 |
| Weeks 2–4 | 60–90 mL | 7–9 |
Those early teaspoon figures match tummy size and the density of colostrum. As milk volume rises, feeds stretch out and single-session amounts climb. Many parents find that by the end of week one, a typical bottle of expressed milk lands near 45–60 mL; by the end of the first month, 60–90 mL fits most sessions.
You can see similar ranges in AAP HealthyChildren guidance, which also notes frequent nursing in the early weeks. Babies aren’t metronomes; some feeds are snack-sized, others are fuller meals. What matters across the day is a steady pattern of effective feeds, content periods, and the output you’d expect in nappies.
Why Amounts Shift Across Week One
Day one is all about colostrum. It’s dense, rich, and packed with immune factors, so tiny 5–7 mL feeds meet what the body asks for. By days 3–4, milk volume rises and feeds lengthen. You’ll notice louder swallows, softer breasts after feeds, and longer stretches of calm between sessions.
Tummy Capacity
A newborn stomach starts cherry-sized, then grows fast. That’s why first bottles should stay small. Matching portions to capacity keeps feeds comfy and lowers spit-up.
Milk Moving In
As mature milk comes in, daily totals climb toward that 500–800 mL band. If breasts feel too full, hand expression right before latch can soften the areola for a deeper latch and smoother transfer.
Colostrum Density
Even a few mL carry lots of energy and antibodies. Short, frequent sessions keep that flow steady while baby learns a wide, deep latch.
How Feeding Frequency Works In The First Weeks
Expect many small feeds at first. Milk moves through tiny stomachs fast, and practice with latch takes time. You may also see evening cluster feeding that bunches sessions together. All of that helps supply match demand.
Hunger Cues You Can Trust
- Stirring, mouth opening, and turning the head
- Hand-to-mouth and light fussing
- Late cue: crying; try to offer the breast before this stage
When To Offer More
- Short spans between feeds with clear hunger cues
- Pre- and post-feed weights show small transfer
- Diaper counts fall below the ranges listed later in this guide
Reading Satiety And Milk Transfer
Good transfer looks like bursts of sucks with clear swallows, relaxed hands, and a rounded tummy after feeds. Baby comes off on their own and looks settled. If you’re unsure about how much went in, weighted feeds before and after a session can show transfer in grams, which equals mL.
Watch diapers. Rising wets and yellow stools from day 3 onward point to intake that matches need. If output or alertness dips, add a session, try both breasts, and check latch depth.
Bottle Volumes For Expressed Breast Milk
Newborn bottles don’t need to look full. Start with 30–60 mL and watch cues; you can add 15–30 mL if baby stays alert and eager. Many families portion milk in 45–75 mL packs for easy warming with less waste. When feeds space out, single bottles of 60–90 mL tend to fit well.
Paced Bottle Feeding In Brief
- Hold the bottle near horizontal so flow is gentle
- Pause every minute or two to burp and check cues
- Switch sides halfway through to mimic breast feeding
- End the feed when baby relaxes and turns away
Daily Intake Benchmarks In Millilitres
Across the first month, many newborns land around 500–800 mL per day, spread across 8–10 feeds. A common average in Lactation literature sits near 750 mL per day once supply is set, though wide ranges exist. Some babies sit lower, some higher; watch growth, diapers, and comfort between feeds.
Growth And Diaper Output
- Day 1–2: at least 1–2 wets per day; meconium stools
- Days 3–4: 3–4 wets; stools turn green to yellow
- Day 5 onward: 6+ wets; several yellow, seedy stools in 24 hours
Weight often dips up to 7% by day 3–5, then trends upward. By about two weeks, many babies regain birth weight. Your care team will track this and can suggest adjustments if needed.
ML And Ounces: Quick Conversion
Many guides list ounces. Here’s a quick match so you can read both:
- 30 mL ≈ 1 oz
- 60 mL ≈ 2 oz
- 90 mL ≈ 3 oz
When a chart shows a 2–3 oz feed, you’re looking at 60–90 mL. Use that range with the day-by-day table above and your baby’s cues.
Responsive Feeding In Practice
Offer the breast at early cues, not by the clock. Switch sides when sucks turn to light flutter. If baby drifts off in the first minutes, try a gentle rub on the feet, a burp break, or a breast switch to restart active drinking.
Night feeds matter. Prolactin levels run higher overnight, and those sessions help keep supply strong. Many families see 2–3 night feeds in the first month, each in the 60–90 mL range once milk is in.
Some days bring growth spurts. You might notice feeds bunching closer together for a day or two, then spacing back out. That ramp-up is normal and points to your baby ordering more milk soon. Keep offering on cue again and keep portions moderate so baby can ask for extra without pressure to finish big bottles. On the breast, switches between sides and a short pause mid-feed often keep active drinking going. On bottles, plan a midway burp and a short rest before offering more. If baby starts pushing the nipple out, turns the head, or relaxes the hands and arms, that’s a clear stop sign. If baby roots again five or ten minutes later, try another 15–30 mL and watch for the same end-of-feed signs. Over time you’ll see your own pattern. Many families land on a comfortable rhythm with a larger morning feed, smaller afternoon sips, and a bedtime bottle that sits around the middle of the range.
Troubleshooting Common Feeding Moments
Lots Of Spit-Up
Smaller, more frequent portions often help. Hold baby upright for 15–20 minutes after a feed. Check that the bottle nipple isn’t flowing too fast.
Long Sleep Stretches
In the early days, wake for feeds at least every 3 hours by day and every 4 hours by night until weight trends climb. Once growth looks steady, many babies stretch one block at night while keeping daytime intake strong.
Sore Nipples
Re-latch with a wider mouth and bring baby in close so chin and cheeks press the breast. If soreness lingers, a local lactation visit can fine-tune position and transfer.
Storing And Warming Expressed Milk
Safe handling protects every mL you worked for. Follow the CDC breast milk storage guide for times and temperatures. Label each container with date and portion; smaller packs thaw faster and waste less.
| Location | Time Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Room temp (25°C) | Up to 4 hours | Keep sealed and clean |
| Refrigerator (4°C) | Up to 4 days | Store at the back, not the door |
| Freezer (≤−18°C) | Best within 6 months | Use oldest dated milk first |
Common Situations And Practical Tips
Sleepy Day 1–2 Baby
Offer skin-to-skin and frequent chances to latch. Hand express a few mL of colostrum onto the lips to spark interest. If a bottle is needed, small volumes like 5–15 mL match early capacity.
Evening Cluster Feeding
Plan for back-to-back sessions. Keep bottles in the 30–60 mL range and pace them. Many babies settle well after this pattern.
Baby Born Early Or Small
Some newborns need specific volumes. Ask your pediatrician or a lactation professional for a plan that fits weight, energy, and any medical needs.
Sample Day In The First Month
Here’s a sample — adjust to cues, growth, and the rhythm of your home. Times are placeholders; use them as a sketch, not a schedule.
- 07:00 – Feed 75 mL
- 09:30 – Feed 60 mL
- 12:00 – Feed 75 mL
- 14:30 – Feed 60 mL
- 17:00 – Feed 75 mL
- 19:30 – Cluster: 45 mL, pause, then 30 mL
- 22:30 – Feed 60 mL
- 02:00 – Feed 60 mL
Total—about 540–800 mL across the day. Some days will run higher, others lower. Steady gains and happy wake windows tell you the plan suits your baby.
What Helps Most
Offer the breast early and often, then watch diapers and weight. Keep bottle portions modest, pace the flow, and top up in small steps when cues say more. Store expressed milk in small, dated packs so every feed uses fresh-tasting milk with little waste.
If questions pop up, reach out to your pediatrician or a qualified lactation professional. A few tweaks to latch, position, or bottle technique can turn the next feed into a smoother one.