Newborns take 1–2 oz (30–60 mL) per feed in week one, usually 8–12 times daily; by two weeks many take 2–3 oz (60–90 mL) per feed.
Newborn Feeding At A Glance
Brand-new babies have tiny tummies and big appetites. Milk volume starts small and climbs fast over the first week. Most babies feed at least eight times a day, day and night. Watch the baby, not the clock, and let them set the pace.
| Day Of Life | Amount Per Feed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0–1 | 5–7 mL (1–2 tsp) | Thick colostrum; frequent tiny feeds |
| 2 | 20–30 mL (0.7–1 oz) | Stomach size grows quickly |
| 3 | 22–27 mL (0.75–1 oz) | More swallowing; still small amounts |
| 4 | 30–45 mL (1–1.5 oz) | Longer stretches between feeds |
| 5–7 | 45–60 mL (1.5–2 oz) | Many babies settle near this range |
These ranges fit both breast milk and formula. Some babies want a bit less, others a bit more. If a feed ends and your baby keeps rooting, offer more. If they turn away, relax. Responsive feeding keeps intake where it needs to be.
How Much Do Newborn Babies Eat Per Day: Quick Benchmarks
Across a full day, many breastfed babies land near eight to twelve feeds. That guidance comes from the CDC breastfeeding guide. For formula, a simple rule from the AAP formula amounts page is about 2½ oz per pound of body weight per day.
Breastfeeding: Typical Patterns In The First Two Weeks
Expect frequent feeds with short gaps, especially at night. Cluster feeding can bunch sessions in the evening. Many sessions last 10–30 minutes on one or both sides. Offer the first side until swallowing slows, then offer the second. Swap back if needed.
Good signs include steady swallowing, softer breasts after a feed, and a calm baby. Aim for a deep latch: mouth wide, lips flanged, chin in close. If latching hurts after the first moments, break suction gently and try again.
Formula Feeding: Practical Ranges And Safety Tips
Early bottles often start at 1–2 oz, then rise to 2–3 oz by two weeks. Many babies take 6–8 bottles per day. Let your baby rest during feeds and hold the bottle slightly more horizontal so milk flow stays steady. Burp midway and at the end. Never prop a bottle or add cereal to thicken a feed.
Go by appetite, but keep the daily cap in mind. If daily totals push past 32 oz, or if rapid gains show up on the scale, ask your baby’s doctor about pace and volume.
Hunger Cues, Fullness Cues, And Diapers
Early hunger signs come first: stirring, hands to mouth, rooting, light fussing. Late hunger shows as hard crying and a tight body. Try to start a feed before the late signs. Fullness looks like relaxed hands, a loose body, and turning away.
By day five, most babies have at least six wet diapers and three or more poops in a day. Stools change from dark meconium to green to mustard yellow. That shift tells you milk transfer is moving along. Most babies are back to birth weight by day 10–14.
Sample 24-Hour Feeding Patterns
Days 1–3
Short, frequent sessions rule. Many babies nurse or take small bottles every one to three hours, with a longer stretch once or twice a day. A sample day may include ten or more brief feeds, each just a few minutes at the breast or 10–20 mL in a bottle.
Days 4–7
Stomach size has grown. Sessions often space to every two to three hours. A sample day: eight to twelve feeds, with at least one 45–60 mL bottle or a longer breast session during evening cluster time.
Week Two
Many babies reach 60–90 mL per feed and keep eight to ten feeds per day. Nights may bring one stretch of three to five hours. Daytime still includes frequent cues, so follow them even if the last feed felt recent.
Paced Bottles And Latch Basics
Paced bottle feeds mimic the rhythm of nursing. Hold your baby upright, tickle the lip with the nipple, then allow them to draw it in. Hold the bottle mostly horizontal so flow depends on active sucking. Pause a few times to burp and check cues. This lowers gulping and helps avoid overfeeding.
For latch, bring baby to breast, belly to belly, nose to nipple. Aim the nipple toward the roof of the mouth. When the mouth opens wide, hug your baby in close so more areola is inside. Listen for steady swallows. If cheeks dimple or you hear clicking, adjust the position.
Picking A Bottle Nipple Flow
Start with a slow-flow nipple so the baby sets the rhythm. Signs the flow is too fast include coughing, gulping, or milk leaking from the corners of the mouth. Signs it is too slow include hard pulling, a collapsing nipple, and fussing after only a minute or two. Change sizes only when cues point that way.
Night Feeds, Sleep, And Growth
Newborn sleep comes in short chunks. Many babies wake every two to three hours at night and feed right away. Dim light, a clean diaper, and a calm voice keep things smooth overnight. Swaddling for sleep can settle flailing arms; keep the crib clear and place baby on the back for every sleep.
Weight dips a little in the first days, then climbs. When weight checks show steady gains and diapers look good, one longer night stretch is fine. Keep daytime bright and active, then shape a gentle evening routine so feeds link to sleepy cues.
Second Table: Daily Formula Totals By Weight
The estimates below use the 2½ oz per pound per day rule. They’re guides, not strict targets.
| Baby Weight | Daily Total (oz / mL) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 5 lb (2.3 kg) | 12–13 oz / ~360–390 mL | Split into 8–12 feeds |
| 6 lb (2.7 kg) | 15 oz / ~450 mL | Keep pace relaxed |
| 7 lb (3.2 kg) | 17–18 oz / ~510–540 mL | Watch fullness cues |
| 8 lb (3.6 kg) | 20 oz / ~600 mL | Responsive feeding |
| 9 lb (4.1 kg) | 22–23 oz / ~660–690 mL | Burp during feeds |
| 10 lb (4.5 kg) | 25 oz / ~750 mL | Daily cap ~32 oz |
Practical Ways To Keep Feeds Smooth
Setups That Help
Skin-to-skin settles babies and sparks feeding cues. Room-in with your baby, keep lights low at night, and hold often. A side-lying position saves tired arms during night feeds. A comfy chair and water bottle help during daytime sessions.
When Baby Seems Hungry Right After A Feed
Offer the other side, try a brief burp, then offer more. If the baby settles after a minute or two, that was gas or comfort seeking. If the baby resumes active sucking and swallowing, they wanted more milk. Growth surges can raise intake for a day or so.
When Baby Spits Up A Lot
Keep the body more upright during and after feeds. Take short burp breaks. Smaller, more frequent feeds can help. Large spit-ups with poor weight gain or hard fussing deserve a call to the doctor.
How To Tell When Milk Supply Matches Need
Count swallows, track diapers, and watch growth. A baby who feeds at least eight times a day, pees often, and wakes on their own for feeds is usually on track. Regular weight checks confirm it.
Breast Milk Storage And Warming
Wash hands, use clean bottles or bags, and label each lot with the date and time. Chill freshly pumped milk soon after collection. Warm bottles gently in a bowl of warm water or under warm running water. Skip the microwave since hot spots can burn a mouth.
After a feed, discard leftover milk from the bottle. Thaw frozen milk in the fridge or under cool then warm water. Swirl to mix fat layers. If milk smells sour or your baby refuses it, throw it out and open a fresh lot.
Pumping Plans That Fit Real Life
If you pump to build a stash or for work, aim for short, regular sessions. Early weeks often call for about eight sessions in 24 hours, then a gradual shift to fewer, longer sessions. When you replace a direct feed with a bottle, add a pump around the same time so supply keeps pace.
Pumping only families can reach solid daily volumes with consistent scheduling. Track total ounces across the day, not just single sessions. Flange fit and a relaxed setup make a big difference, so adjust sizes and settings until milk flows well without pain.
How To Tell When Milk Supply Matches Need
Count swallows, note diaper output, and weigh at routine visits. If those markers look strong and your baby wakes to feed, your plan is working. If any piece slips, tweak timing or volume and check in with your baby’s doctor.
When To Call The Pediatrician
Reach out fast if any of these pop up: fewer than six wets after day five, fewer than three poops after day five, dark urine or brick-red crystals, hard jaundice, weak sucking, long sleepy spells with missed feeds, or continued weight loss after day five. Also call for fever, choking with feeds, or blue color changes.
Quick Takeaway
Week one brings tiny yet frequent feeds. By two weeks, most newborns take 2–3 oz per feed and cue eight to twelve times a day. Use hunger and fullness signs as your guide, lean on paced bottles and a deep latch, and talk with your baby’s doctor whenever something feels off.