Most newborns take 5–7 ml per feed on day 1, 15–30 ml by day 3–4, and about 60–90 ml per feed by 2 weeks, nursing 8–12 times a day.
How Much Breast Milk Does A Newborn Eat: First Days
New babies start with tiny stomachs and feed often. Early milk, called colostrum, comes in small yet dense portions that match that size. Short, frequent feeds teach latch, spark supply, and keep blood sugars steady. The numbers below are guides, not targets, because babies vary and cues lead the way.
| Age | Per Feed | Feeds/24 h |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 5–7 ml (about 1 tsp) | 8–12+ |
| Day 2–3 | 15–30 ml (½–1 oz) | 8–12+ |
| Day 4–7 | 30–60 ml (1–2 oz) | 8–12 |
| End Of Week 1 | 45–60 ml (1½–2 oz) | 8–12 |
Volume climbs fast in the first week as milk shifts from colostrum to a fuller supply. Expect cluster feeding, especially late afternoon or evening, when babies bunch feeds close together. That pattern helps bring supply in line with need and often settles after a day or two.
Feeding Frequency, Duration, And Clear Hunger Cues
Most newborns nurse at least 8 to 12 times across a day and night. Some wake sooner and feed every 1½ to 2 hours; others stretch to about 3 hours once transfers improve. Watch the baby, not the clock: rooting, hand-to-mouth moves, and soft fussing mean it’s time to feed. A deep, steady suck with swallows shows milk flow; relaxed hands and body show a good finish.
How Long Does A Feed Last?
Early sessions can run 15 to 40 minutes across both sides, with burp breaks. As the weeks pass and babies get stronger, many finish in 10 to 20 minutes. Pace varies by latch, let-down, and whether baby takes one or both breasts. Fullness cues call the shots, not the timer.
When To Wake A Sleepy Newborn
In the first weeks, long gaps can slow intake and weight regain. If daytime stretches push past about 3 hours for most feeds, wake, offer a nappy change, and put baby to the breast. Night stretches can lengthen once weight is back on track and transfers look solid.
Per-Feed Volumes After Week One
By week two, many babies take about 60 to 90 ml per feed. Around the end of the first month, a common range sits near 90 to 120 ml per feed with spacing of about 3 hours. Some feeds run smaller, some larger; the daily total matters more than any single bottle or breast session.
Daily Intake From One To Six Months
Across months one through six, fully breastfed babies often average near 750 ml a day, with a usual range from about 570 to 900 ml. That range stays steady once supply and growth match, though brief bursts of higher intake pop up with growth spurts.
Easy Math For Expressed Milk Bottles
If you need to leave milk, a simple method keeps portions sensible. Take the typical daily total for your baby’s age, then divide by the number of feeds your baby usually takes. For many babies between one and six months, that looks like 750 ml divided by 8 feeds, which gives about 90 to 100 ml per bottle. If your baby takes 10 feeds, bottles may sit closer to 75 ml. This keeps portions baby-sized and limits overfills that can lead to spit-ups.
When You Want A Quick Reference
- 2 weeks: about 60–90 ml per feed
- 3–4 weeks: about 75–120 ml per feed
- 1–6 months: about 90–120 ml per feed; daily 570–900 ml
Signs Your Newborn Is Getting Enough Milk
Wet and dirty nappies are the easiest tracker. In the first 48 hours you may see only two or three wet nappies. From day five onward, expect at least six heavy wets a day. Stools shift from dark meconium to mustard-yellow and soft. Steady weight gain after the early dip is the other anchor; most babies lose a little at first and return to birth weight by day 10 to 14.
What About Sleepy Or Jittery Days?
Babies have light and heavy days. On sleepy days, offer the breast when early cues appear and add an extra session or two. On busy days, cluster feeds can stack up near evening. If output drops, weight stalls, or pain lingers, reach out to your midwife, health visitor, or pediatric team for hands-on help.
Latch, Transfer, And Pace Matter
Comfortable latch and good positioning make a big difference to intake. Aim baby’s nose to nipple, bring belly to belly, and wait for a wide gape before hugging in. If a feed feels pinchy, pop baby off gently and try again. Switch sides when swallows slow and the first breast softens. Some babies take both sides each feed; some take one and catch up next time.
When Bottles Are In The Mix
Use a slow-flow teat and paced bottle feeding so baby controls the intake. Hold the bottle almost flat, offer pauses, and swap sides midway to mirror the breast rhythm. These small steps keep volumes in range and protect the latch at the breast.
Growth Spurts And Cluster Feeding
Common spurts land near 7 to 10 days, 2 to 3 weeks, and again around 6 weeks. You may notice shorter gaps, longer sessions, and a jump in appetite. Keep feeding on cue, keep yourself fed and hydrated, and the surge will settle as supply adjusts.
Practical Day-One To Day-Seven Feeding Plan
Day 1
Offer both sides often. Hand express a few drops if latch is tricky and place them on the nipple to tempt baby. Skin-to-skin helps baby wake and root. Frequent contact keeps sugars steady and protects milk supply.
Days 2–3
Feeds pick up. Expect more swallows and a slight rise in nappies. If breasts feel tight, soften the areola with gentle hand expression before latching. A deep latch keeps nipples comfy and helps transfer.
Days 4–7
Milk volume rises and stools turn yellow. Breasts may feel full; feed often to stay comfy. If baby snoozes at the breast, try a brief burp and re-latch. Keep nighttime feeds to maintain supply and weight recovery.
Working Out A Personal Plan
Each baby writes a slightly different script. Preterm birth, tongue-tie, jaundice, reflux, and oral anatomy can change the pattern and the volume. Twin or tandem feeding adds its own rhythm. When needs differ, your care team can tailor steps for you: more skin-to-skin, extra night feeds, or a brief pump routine until latch and transfer improve.
Reference Table: Per-Feed And Daily Intake After Week One
| Age Window | Per Feed | Daily Total |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Weeks | 60–90 ml (2–3 oz) | — |
| 3–4 Weeks | 75–120 ml (2½–4 oz) | — |
| 1–6 Months | 90–120 ml (3–4 oz) | 570–900 ml (19–30 oz) |
Simple Pumping Notes That Help
If baby cannot nurse every time, start pumping early and often to protect supply. Many parents find 8 to 10 sessions in 24 hours keeps milk moving in the first weeks. Night milk counts too; one overnight session can steady supply. If pumping replaces a breastfeed, aim to remove a similar amount of milk and store it in small batches to cut waste.
Storage And Warming
Fresh milk can sit at room temp (77°F/25°C or colder) for up to 4 hours, chill in the fridge for up to 4 days, and live in the freezer for about 6 months for best quality (up to 12 months is acceptable). Thaw in the fridge or under cool then warm water. Swirl to mix; don’t microwave. Label bottles with date and time and use the oldest first.
Common Myths That Trip Parents Up
“Big Babies Need Big Bottles”
Size at birth doesn’t change stomach capacity on day one. Follow hunger cues and daily totals, not birth weight alone. Small, responsive feeds work better than pushing large volumes early on.
“Crying Means Milk Isn’t Enough”
Crying can mean hunger, gas, a wet nappy, or the need for a cuddle. Look at the whole picture: swallows during feeds, nappies, and growth tell you far more about intake than a single fussy spell.
“Evening Feeds Prove Low Supply”
Evenings often feel softer and babies snack more. That rhythm is common. Extra skin-to-skin and frequent feeds usually smooth out that patch overnight.
Trusted Links For Deeper Guidance
See the CDC guide on how much and how often to breastfeed and the AAP page on how often and how much babies eat for clear ranges and timing tips.