A newborn typically drinks 1–2 oz (30–60 mL) per feed in the first days, then moves toward 2–4 oz (60–120 mL) across the first few weeks.
What “Per Feed” Looks Like In Real Life
Those early days feel like one long feed with naps in between. That’s normal. A newborn’s tummy is small, so meals are frequent and modest. Bottle volumes are easy to see; breastfeeds are harder to measure, so you’ll watch cues and diapers. Most healthy babies take what they need when they need it.
Fast Ranges You Can Trust
- Days 1–3: tiny amounts per feed; offer often. If bottle-feeding, start around 1–2 oz when hungry.
- Days 4–7: about 1–3 oz per feed, still frequent through day and night.
- Weeks 2–4: about 2–4 oz per feed, with stretches between feeds slowly getting longer.
First 14 Days At A Glance
Use this as a gentle guide, not a rigid plan. Your baby’s cues outrank any chart.
| Age Window | Typical Amount Per Feed | Typical Feeds/24h |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1–2 | Small sips; ~1–2 oz if bottle-fed; breastfeeds are short and frequent | 8–12+ |
| Days 3–4 | About 1–2.5 oz as appetite rises | 8–12 |
| Days 5–7 | About 1.5–3 oz per feed | 8–12 |
| Week 2 | About 2–4 oz per feed | 8–10 |
How Much Do Newborns Drink Per Feeding: Simple Ranges
Two things steer intake: belly size and timing. A small belly fills fast, empties fast, then asks again. As days pass, the belly grows and each feed creeps up a little. Night feeds remain part of the picture, especially in the early weeks.
Breastfed Newborns: What To Expect
Plan on about 8–12 nursing sessions in 24 hours in the first weeks. That frequency helps milk come in and keeps supply steady. Some sessions are snack-length; others run longer. Cluster feeds can stack closer together in the evening. The best sign that intake is right is your baby, not the clock: steady weight gain after the first few days, plenty of wet diapers, contentment after many feeds, and a good latch that doesn’t hurt.
For timing and cues from a trusted source, see the CDC guidance on how much and how often to breastfeed. It outlines the common 2–4-hour rhythm, explains cluster feeding, and reminds you that on-demand nursing works well in these early weeks.
Why Ounces Are Tricky With Breastfeeding
You can’t see ounces at the breast, and that’s okay. Your baby’s behavior tells the story: rhythmic swallows, relaxed hands and face near the end, and dozy calm after many feeds. If weight checks look good and diapers are steady, the intake is on track. If your baby seems persistently unsatisfied, weight gain stalls, or latch stays painful, reach out to your care team for hands-on support.
Formula-Fed Newborns: Typical Bottle Volumes
In the first days, offering 1–2 oz every 2–3 hours works well for many babies. By the end of the first month, bottles often land around 3–4 oz. The American Academy of Pediatrics notes a common daily ceiling near 32 oz in 24 hours. Let your baby’s cues lead, pause during feeds for burps, and stop when you see the “I’m done” signs.
Responsive Bottle Feeding
Hold your baby upright, keep the bottle more horizontal, and offer breaks for pacing. This setup gives your baby time to feel full. If a bottle empties quickly and your baby still acts hungry, offer a little more. If your baby turns away, relaxes, or falls asleep, wrap the feed and try again later.
Hunger Cues Versus Schedules
Schedules can be helpful for you; your baby runs on cues. Early cues look gentle: stirring, mouth opening, turning the head, hands to mouth, soft sounds. Late cues look urgent: strong crying and a tense body. Try to feed on early cues when you can. That rhythm supports supply for nursing and keeps bottle feeds calmer and less rushed.
What If Feeds Seem Constant?
Newborns do eat often. They also bunch feeds close together at times, then sleep a longer stretch, then bunch up again. That ebb and flow is common. If feeds feel relentless and your baby still seems hungry, do a quick check: latch comfort, active swallows, and wet/dirty diaper counts. If any of those seem off, get personalized help.
Night Feeds, Cluster Feeding, And Growth Spurts
Night feeds protect growth and, for nursing, they reinforce supply. Many babies bunch evening feeds into clusters, then take a deeper sleep block. Intake across 24 hours matters more than any single session. When appetite surges arrive, offer extra sessions and top-ups as cues appear. Your baby’s intake will settle again after that busy period.
Signs Your Baby Is Getting Enough
- Diapers: rising wet and dirty counts through the first week, then steady wet diapers each day.
- Weight: a small dip after birth, then back to birth weight by about two weeks, with gains after.
- During feeds: you hear swallows, see relaxed hands near the end, and your baby often looks calm afterward.
- Between feeds: periods of quiet alertness and dozy naps are common.
If diapers drop off, weight checks lag, or feeds are painful or very long every time, set up a visit. Small, timely tweaks often fix big headaches.
Bottle Prep And Safe Volumes
Mix formula exactly as labeled, use clean water as directed for your brand, and keep bottles and parts washed and air-dried. Warm bottles gently if your baby prefers, but skip microwaves. Track daily totals from bottles so you don’t overshoot. Many babies land between 20 and 30 oz across a day in the first two months, though some sit a little below or above those lines. If your baby nears 32 oz daily and still acts hungry, ask your care team to review growth and feeding technique with you.
Burps, Spit-Ups, And Pace
Newborns swallow air. Short pauses and upright holds help. A little spit-up can follow feeds; that’s common. If spit-up seems forceful, frequent, or tied to discomfort, bring it up at your next check. Sometimes smaller, paced feeds and more frequent burps reduce the mess.
Daily Totals By Weight: Quick Bottle Math
A simple rule many parents use for bottles: about 2.5 oz per pound of body weight per day, with a common upper limit near 32 oz. Split the daily total by the number of feeds your baby usually takes. Here’s an easy reference.
| Baby Weight | Daily Total (oz / mL) | If 8 Feeds: Per Feed |
|---|---|---|
| 6 lb (2.7 kg) | ~15 oz / ~445 mL | ~1.9 oz / ~55 mL |
| 7 lb (3.2 kg) | ~17.5 oz / ~518 mL | ~2.2 oz / ~65 mL |
| 8 lb (3.6 kg) | ~20 oz / ~592 mL | ~2.5 oz / ~74 mL |
| 9 lb (4.1 kg) | ~22.5 oz / ~665 mL | ~2.8 oz / ~83 mL |
| 10 lb (4.5 kg) | ~25 oz / ~739 mL | ~3.1 oz / ~92 mL |
How To Use That Table
Pick your baby’s weight, find the daily total, then split by how many feeds your baby truly takes. If your baby loves shorter, more frequent feeds, the per-feed number will be smaller. If your baby prefers longer stretches between feeds, that per-feed number will be larger. Totals are guides, not targets.
Breast Milk In Bottles: Handy Estimates
When nursing is established and you’re leaving milk for a caregiver, plan small bottles. Many families pack 2–3 oz portions for the first months, then adjust after seeing how the day goes. Caregivers can add another ounce if your baby shows clear hunger cues, but small bottles waste less and fit paced feeding well.
Sample Day In The First Weeks
Here’s a calm, predictable pattern many families see. Times slide for your household; the shape often looks similar.
- 6:00 Feed, diaper, cuddle.
- 8:00 Feed again; short nap.
- 10:00 Feed; burp; a few awake minutes.
- 12:30 Feed; longer nap.
- 3:00 Feed; brief play; burp.
- 5:00–7:00 Cluster feeds, then wind down.
- 9:00 Feed; diaper; sleep window.
- Night One or two feeds as cues appear.
On cluster-feed evenings, intake across those hours often replaces an overnight feed. Other nights, your baby adds an extra feed instead. Both patterns are common.
When To Talk To Your Care Team
Reach out sooner rather than later if any of these pop up:
- Fewer wet diapers than your nurse suggested for your baby’s age.
- No return to birth weight by about two weeks.
- Feeds that are painful, always very long, or always very short.
- Persistent vomiting, not simple spit-up.
- Baby seems hard to wake to feed for long stretches.
Your pediatric clinic and local lactation services can spot small issues fast and help you tune things without stress.
Practical Tips That Make Feeds Easier
For Nursing
- Hold your baby chest-to-chest with ear, shoulder, and hip in a line.
- Bring baby to you; avoid hunching.
- Listen for swallows. If you only hear quick sucks, try breast compressions.
- Switch sides when active swallows slow and your baby starts dozing.
For Bottles
- Choose a slow-flow nipple to match newborn pace.
- Keep the bottle angled so milk just reaches the nipple tip.
- Pause a few times to burp and check fullness cues.
- Stop when your baby turns away, relaxes, or stops sucking actively.
Key Takeaways For The First Month
- Expect about 1–2 oz per feed in the first days, rising toward 2–4 oz by weeks two to four.
- Most babies feed 8–12 times daily at first; spacing grows with time.
- For bottles, many land between 20–30 oz per day in the early months, with a common ceiling near 32 oz.
- Diapers, weight checks, latch comfort, and a relaxed baby after many feeds signal that intake is on track.
- Cues beat schedules. Follow your baby; adjust as you both learn.