Newborn bottle breastmilk: 2–10 ml per feed on day 1, 45–90 ml by week 1, and 60–120 ml per feed across weeks 2–4.
Feeding a newborn from a bottle doesn’t need guesswork. A tiny stomach grows fast, and intake climbs just as quickly. The goal is steady gains, comfy feeds, and bottles that match real needs. Use the guide below as a starting point, then let your baby lead.
Volumes here reflect normal ranges for full-term babies and align with respected medical guidance. For rhythm across the day, most newborns feed 8–12 times in 24 hours. See the CDC overview on feeding frequency for context.
How Much Breast Milk From A Bottle For A Newborn: Daily And Per-Feed Guide
The early days are all about small, frequent bottles. This table shows common per-feed volumes and a sensible number of feeds each day. Values come from clinical guidance for healthy term babies.
| Age | Per-Feed Volume | Feeds In 24 Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 0–24 hours | 2–10 ml (drops to ⅓ oz) | 8–12+ |
| 24–48 hours | 5–15 ml (up to ½ oz) | 8–12+ |
| 48–72 hours | 15–30 ml (½–1 oz) | 8–12+ |
| 72–96 hours | 30–60 ml (1–2 oz) | 8–12+ |
| End of week 1 | 45–90 ml (1½–3 oz) | 8–12 |
| Weeks 2–4 | 60–120 ml (2–4 oz) | 7–10 |
Those first four rows reflect the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine’s suggested intakes in the first 96 hours. By week one, many babies take larger bottles, yet still feed often. See the intake table in ABM Protocol #3 (ABM Protocol #3) for the day-by-day mL ranges.
What That Looks Like In Real Bottles
On day one, colostrum comes in teaspoons, so a slow 5–10 ml bottle hits the spot. By days three to four, 30–60 ml bottles make sense. Around the end of week one, many babies are happy with 60–90 ml per feed. Past two weeks, bottles in the 60–120 ml range are common, with some babies preferring smaller, more frequent feeds. Don’t race to bigger bottles; watch cues and pace the flow.
Signs Your Newborn Is Hungry Or Full
Early hunger cues come first: stirring, hands to mouth, rooting, lip smacks. Crying is late. Start the bottle before crying builds. During the feed, check for steady swallows and relaxed hands. Signs of fullness include turning away, loose fists, slower sucking, milk pooling at the lips, and drifting to sleep. End the feed when these show up; no need to finish the bottle.
Paced Bottle Feeding: Step-By-Step
Paced feeding helps your baby guide the flow and prevents overfills.
- Hold your baby upright, tummy to tummy, with good head support.
- Use a slow-flow nipple. Keep the bottle more horizontal so milk doesn’t gush.
- Touch the nipple to the top lip and wait for a wide open mouth. Let baby draw it in.
- Let baby suck for a short set of swallows, then tip the bottle down briefly so the nipple isn’t full. Build in breaks.
- Switch sides midway so baby turns the head both ways.
- Stop when you see satiety cues, even if milk remains.
Caregivers sometimes feel pressure to “get ounces in.” Paced feeds protect self-regulation and reduce spit-ups and gas.
Daily Totals And A Handy Per-Hour Rule
Across the first month, many babies land near 24–30 ounces (710–890 ml) per day once supply is robust, though intake varies by size, tempo, and spacing. A practical way to pack bottles for work or a day out is the per-hour rule: plan roughly 30–45 ml (1–1½ oz) for each hour you’re away, then portion into 60–90 ml bottles and adjust based on cues. Some babies sip smaller bottles more often; others prefer fuller feeds with longer stretches of sleep.
Diaper Counts And Weight Checks
Output tells the story. By day five, look for at least six pale wets and three or more mustard-yellow stools each day. Weight gain after day five often averages 5–7 ounces per week for many babies on human milk. If wets drop, stools stay dark after day four, or weight gain stalls, call your care team.
Safe Storage And Warming: Quick Rules
Store milk safely and you’ll waste less. These time windows match public health guidance. For full details, see the CDC milk storage page.
| Where | Time Window | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Room temp ≤ 25°C / 77°F | Up to 4 hours | Keep covered; avoid heat or sun. |
| Refrigerator ≤ 4°C / 39°F | Up to 4 days | Store at the back; label date. |
| Freezer ≤ −18°C / 0°F | Best by 6 months (okay up to 12) | Leave headspace; thaw in fridge; don’t refreeze. |
Common Bottle Snags And Simple Fixes
- Gulping or coughing: Flow may be fast. Try a slower nipple and keep the bottle more level.
- Lots of spit-up: Feed upright, add pauses, and stop at fullness cues. Check burps, then resume if baby wants more.
- Refusing the bottle: Offer when baby is calm and a little hungry. Have another caregiver try. Warm the milk gently and check nipple shape.
- Gas or fuss at night: Shorter, paced bottles late in the day can help. Watch air bubbles; keep the tip full but not gushing.
Sample 24-Hour Bottle Plan For Weeks 1–2
Use this as a planning sketch, not a strict timetable. Wake sleepy babies at least every 3 hours until weight is back to birth weight.
- 6:00 a.m. 60 ml (2 oz)
- 8:30 a.m. 60–75 ml (2–2½ oz)
- 11:00 a.m. 60–75 ml
- 1:30 p.m. 60–90 ml (2–3 oz)
- 4:00 p.m. 60–90 ml
- 6:30 p.m. 60–75 ml
- 9:00 p.m. 60–90 ml
- 12:00 a.m. 60–90 ml
- 3:00 a.m. 60–90 ml
Total lands near the mid-20s in ounces across the day for many babies in this window, spread across nine feeds. Your baby may need a little less or more on a given day.
When To Call The Pediatrician
- Fewer than three stools per day after day four, or fewer than six wets after day five.
- Ongoing weight loss after day five, or no regain of birth weight by two weeks.
- Hard vomiting (projectile), green vomit, very sleepy feeds, or signs of dehydration.
- Yellow skin spreading past day four, or any feeding pain for the nursing parent.
For technique or bottle choices, a skilled lactation professional can help you tune the plan to your baby.
You bring the milk; your baby brings the cues. Match bottle sizes to age and appetite, slow the flow, and stop when your baby says “enough.” That simple mix keeps feeds calm and growth steady.