Newborns typically take 1–3 oz (30–90 mL) per feed every 2–3 hours; by 1 month, many take 3–4 oz with 8–12 feeds in 24 hours.
Those first feeds are tiny, frequent, and a little unpredictable. Your baby’s belly is small, appetite ramps up fast, and every day can look a bit different. So what does a normal range look like, and how do you tell when a newborn has had enough?
This guide gives clear ranges by age, explains hunger and fullness cues, and shows practical ways to track intake without obsessing over every ounce.
How Newborn Feeding Works In The First Month
Most babies feed 8–12 times across 24 hours in the early weeks. Breastfed newborns often take smaller, more frequent feeds; bottle-fed babies tend to fall into steadier 3–4 hour patterns. Both styles are normal as long as growth and diaper output look good.
Stomach size is tiny at birth and rises quickly. Day 1 holds about 5–7 mL; by day 3 it’s roughly 22–27 mL; by week one it’s closer to 45–60 mL. That’s why the first couple of days look like sips, then volume builds.
Typical Volumes And Frequency
Use these ranges as a starting point. Your newborn may sit slightly below or above on any given day.
| Age | Per Feed (mL / oz) | Feeds In 24h |
|---|---|---|
| Day 0–1 | 5–30 mL / 0.2–1 oz | 8–12+ |
| Day 2–3 | 15–30 mL / 0.5–1 oz | 8–12+ |
| Day 4–7 | 30–60 mL / 1–2 oz | 8–12 |
| Weeks 2–3 | 45–75 mL / 1.5–2.5 oz | 8–12 |
| Week 4 | 90–120 mL / 3–4 oz | 7–10 |
By the end of month one, many babies take about 3–4 oz per feed, and the usual upper daily limit for formula is about 32 oz. Breastfed babies often take similar totals spread across more sessions.
How Much A Newborn Can Eat Per Day: Realistic Ranges
Think in two layers: per-feed amount and 24-hour total. For bottle-fed babies, a widely used guide is about 2½ oz (75 mL) of formula per pound of body weight each day, capped around 32 oz in total. That cap helps prevent overfeeding by bottle.
If your baby drains every bottle and still acts hungry, offer a small top-up and reassess the next feed. If they leave an ounce or two behind, that’s fine too. Appetites swing across the day.
Breastfeeding: What “Enough” Looks Like
In the first weeks, 10–12 nursing sessions in 24 hours is common. Feeds may cluster in the evenings or during growth spurts. Expect more short sessions on some days and longer, milk-rich ones on others.
Watch your baby, not the clock. Strong rhythmic sucks with audible swallows signal good transfer. Relaxed hands, softening breasts, and a sleepy, content baby at the end of a feed all point to enough intake.
Early Colostrum And Rising Volume
Colostrum comes in small, concentrated amounts that match day-one stomach size. As mature milk increases over days two to five, babies shift from teaspoons to ounces. That natural ramp bridges the gap between tiny tummies and growing needs.
Bottle Feeding: Smart Amounts And Pace
Offer paced bottle feeds so a newborn can set the tempo. Hold the bottle more horizontal, pause every minute or two, and switch sides like you would at the breast. This lowers the risk of overfeeding and helps babies notice fullness.
Many families follow the body-weight guide and the 32-oz daily ceiling from the American Academy of Pediatrics. You can read their detailed formula amounts page for the exact math.
Hunger Cues, Fullness Cues, And When To Feed
Early hunger cues include rooting, hands to mouth, lip smacking, and gentle fussing. Crying is late. Aim to start the feed before crying ramps up; babies latch and drink better when calm.
Fullness cues include slowing sucks, relaxed fingers, turning away, sealed lips, drowsiness, and milk leaking from the mouth. If those show up, stop and burp. You can always resume if hunger returns.
How Often Should A Newborn Eat?
Most newborns feed at least every 2–3 hours from the start of one feed to the start of the next. Some stretches at night will lengthen naturally after the first couple of weeks, though many babies still wake often.
Cluster Feeding And Growth Spurts
Babies often “bunch” feeds in the late afternoon or evening, then take a longer stretch later. You might see bursts of near-hourly feeding around weeks 2–3 and again near week 6. This is common and usually settles within a few days.
When To Wake A Sleepy Newborn
During the first couple of weeks, long stretches can trim total intake. If a newborn goes 4–5 hours without a feed early on, wake gently and offer milk. A diaper change, skin-to-skin, or a brief stretch at the window often does the trick.
Reliable Signs Of Enough Milk
Numbers help when you’re tired. Expect 2–3 wet diapers per day in the first days, then at least 5–6 wets daily after day 4–5. Stools shift from dark meconium to yellow and looser as intake rises. Steady weight gain across checks seals the picture.
Night Feeds Near The End Of Month One
By week four, many babies start giving one longer stretch at night, with 3–4 hour gaps more common the rest of the day. Keep offering daytime feeds and watch diapers; intake should stay steady even when one night window lengthens.
How To Track Intake Without Stress
Instead of tallying every mL forever, use simple checkpoints:
- Wet diapers: At least 5–6 wet diapers daily after day 4–5 is a good sign the newborn is getting enough milk.
- Stools: Several yellow, seedy stools most days after the first week for breastfed babies; formula-fed patterns vary a bit more.
- Weight: Most babies regain birth weight by about 2 weeks and then add steady grams each day.
Your pediatrician will plot weight on the growth chart and help spot trends. If wet diapers dip, weight stalls, or you sense feeding pain, reach out early.
Sample Day: Newborn Who Takes About 2 Ounces Per Feed
This is just a model. Replace times with your baby’s rhythm.
- 6:00 a.m. — Feed 2 oz, diaper change
- 8:30 a.m. — Feed 2 oz, burp
- 11:00 a.m. — Feed 2 oz
- 1:30 p.m. — Feed 2 oz
- 4:00 p.m. — Feed 2 oz
- 6:00 p.m. — Cluster: two mini-feeds over 90 minutes
- 9:00 p.m. — Feed 2 oz
- 12:00 a.m. — Feed 2 oz
- 3:00 a.m. — Feed 2 oz
Total across 24 hours lands near 18–22 oz with this pattern. Many newborns will land higher by week four.
Formula Mixing And Safe Storage
Follow the exact scoop-to-water ratio on the can, use clean bottles, and discard any feed left in the bottle after two hours at room temp or one hour after the first sip. See the CDC’s step-by-step guide to prepare and store infant formula.
Warming isn’t required. If you do warm a bottle, place it in warm water and test on your wrist; never microwave bottles because hot spots can burn a newborn’s mouth.
When A Newborn Seems Hungry All The Time
Run through a quick checklist:
- Burps: Gas can mask as hunger. Try an extra burp mid-feed and at the end.
- Pace: Slow the bottle and add pauses so your baby can sense fullness.
- Diapers: If wet diapers are on track and weight gain looks steady, frequent feeds often reflect normal cluster patterns.
- Latch: If nursing hurts or milk transfer seems weak, ask a lactation professional for hands-on help.
If none of these shifts help and your newborn never seems settled after feeds, schedule a quick weight check and talk with your pediatrician.
Signs You Might Be Offering Too Much
Common flags include frequent spit-up, coughing or gagging during bottle feeds, quick finishes, and large weight jumps week to week. Try smaller bottles, paced technique, and the 32-oz daily ceiling.
Daily Intake By Weight (Bottle-Fed Guide)
Use this math as a rough cap, not a target to force. Many babies will self-stop below these totals.
| Baby Weight | Approx. 24-h Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 lb (2.7 kg) | ~15 oz / 450 mL | Split into 8–12 feeds |
| 8 lb (3.6 kg) | ~20 oz / 600 mL | Watch fullness cues |
| 10 lb (4.5 kg) | ~25 oz / 750 mL | Many take 2–3+ oz |
| 12 lb (5.4 kg) | ~30 oz / 900 mL | Stay under ~32 oz |
These totals come from the 2½ oz per pound guideline used by the AAP. Always let your newborn set the pace; bottles are easy to over-finish.
Breast Or Bottle: Either Way, Watch The Baby
Feeding on cue still wins. If your newborn shows early hunger cues, offer the breast or bottle. If they slow, pause. If they turn away, stop. That rhythm builds trust and keeps intake in a healthy range.
Timers aren’t needed. Offer feeds often, prep formula safely, and keep regular weight checks at well visits and growth checks in early weeks.