Most newborns take about 5–7 mL per feed on day 1, rising to 45–60 mL (1.5–2 oz) every 2–3 hours by day 7.
The first seven days set the tone for feeding. Tiny stomach, frequent meals, lots of diapers, and steady gains in skill. Here’s a clear, week-one guide you can use today.
Newborn Feeding, Day 1 To Day 7
Milk volume rises fast across the first week, while feeds stay frequent. The table below gives ballpark amounts per feed and an average number of feeds across 24 hours. Treat these as ranges, not targets. Your baby’s cues win.
| Day | Breastfeeds (per feed) | Formula (per feed) |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 5–7 mL (about 1–1.5 tsp) | 5–15 mL (0.2–0.5 oz) |
| Day 2 | 10–20 mL | 15–30 mL (0.5–1 oz) |
| Day 3 | 20–30 mL | 30–45 mL (1–1.5 oz) |
| Day 4 | 30–45 mL | 45–60 mL (1.5–2 oz) |
| Day 5 | 45–60 mL | 45–60 mL (1.5–2 oz) |
| Day 6 | 45–60 mL | 45–75 mL (1.5–2.5 oz) |
| Day 7 | 45–60 mL | 45–75 mL (1.5–2.5 oz) |
Most newborns feed 8–12 times in 24 hours with breastfeeds, and every 2–3 hours with formula. Some will want more. Some cluster feed in the evenings. Follow early cues and keep nights calm and dim.
Charts don’t replace the baby in your arms. A term baby with good muscle tone, steady diaper counts, and a strong suck can sit near the top or bottom of the ranges and still thrive. Preterm, late-preterm, or small babies usually follow a tailored plan from the care team.
How Often Should A Newborn Feed In Week One?
Expect frequent feeds. Early on, milk transfers in small amounts, so your baby needs repeated chances to eat and practice. A rough rhythm looks like this:
- Breastfeeding: 8–12 sessions across 24 hours. Many sessions take 10–30 minutes each side, with pauses for burps and cuddles.
- Formula: 1–2 oz at first, then 1.5–2 oz every 2–3 hours by the end of the week. If your baby drains bottles fast, use paced bottle feeding to slow the flow.
Reading Hunger And Fullness Cues
Hunger shows up as stirring, hands to mouth, rooting, lip smacking, and soft fussing. Crying is late stage and can make latching harder, so try to start before tears. Signs of fullness include relaxed hands, slower suck-swallow patterns, turning away, and sleepiness with a loose jaw.
Cluster Feeding And Growth Spurts
Many babies bunch feeds in the late afternoon or evening. It’s normal. Keep sessions skin-to-skin, switch sides as needed, and sip water while you sit. With bottles, smaller, closer feeds keep bellies comfy during a cluster phase.
How Much Does A Newborn Eat In The First Week: Day-By-Day Guide
Day 1–2: Colostrum Counts
Colostrum is thick, yellow, and packed with protective factors. Stomach size is tiny, so a teaspoon or two per feed is plenty on day 1. Offer both breasts, then switch sides when suck-swallow pauses turn long. With bottles, start with small volumes and keep the nipple full to reduce air intake. Expect short naps between feeds and a few alert windows for skin-to-skin and burps.
Day 3–4: Volume Rises
Milk volume increases, and many babies show longer periods of alert feeding. You may hear more audible swallows. Latch usually settles with practice; line up nose to nipple, wait for a wide gape, and bring baby in close. If using bottles, pause often and tip the bottle down to give breaks. Fast gulping and frequent spits can mean the flow is too quick or the hole is too large.
Day 5–7: Getting Into A Rhythm
Feeds look more predictable. A common pattern is 1.5–2 oz per feed, still every 2–3 hours. Some babies take a longer stretch of sleep at night. Wake at the 3-hour mark if diapers are low or weight loss has been steep; otherwise, let the longest stretch slide once intake and output look solid. Gentle burps, an upright hold after feeds, and a snug swaddle between feeds can smooth these nights.
Breastfeeding Versus Formula: What Changes
Human milk shifts from colostrum to mature milk over the first week. Volume climbs while flavor and fat vary feed to feed. Formula stays steady in composition, so the main levers are volume and pace. Both routes can meet needs in week one.
Bottle Tips That Keep Intake On Track
- Use a slow-flow nipple and hold the bottle horizontal.
- Let your baby draw the nipple in, don’t push it in.
- Pause every few swallows for a breath and a burp.
- Switch sides in your arms to mimic breast side changes.
If bottles are replacing breastfeeds, pump at roughly the same times to protect supply. Short, frequent pumps beat a single marathon session in the early days. If you’re combining direct feeds and bottles, start with the breast, then top up. That pattern keeps appetite linked to your supply.
Diapers, Weight, And When To Call The Doctor
Output is your dashboard. As milk intake grows, diaper counts rise and stool color shifts from dark meconium to mustard tones. The ranges below reflect a healthy trend.
| Day | Wet Diapers (min) | Stool Diapers (min) |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Day 2 | 2 | 2–3 |
| Day 3 | 5 | 2–3, lighter color |
| Day 4 | 6 | 3+, yellow begins |
| Day 5–7 | 6+ | 3+ daily, yellow and seedy |
Weight often drops a bit after birth and then heads back up. A common range is up to 7–10% down from birth weight by day 3–4, then steady gains as intake rises. Most babies are back to birth weight by 10–14 days. If your baby isn’t waking to feed and diaper counts are low, call your clinic for a spot check and a plan.
Realistic 24-Hour Sample Schedules
Breastfeeding Sample
6:00 a.m. feed both sides; 8:30 a.m. quick snack; 11:00 a.m. full feed; 1:30 p.m. feed both sides; 4:00 p.m. cluster start; 5:30 p.m. top-off; 7:00 p.m. long feed, then bath and cuddle; 10:00 p.m. feed; 1:00 a.m. feed; 4:00 a.m. feed. Total: about 10–12 sessions.
Formula Sample
6:00 a.m. 1.5–2 oz; 9:00 a.m. 2 oz; 12:00 p.m. 2 oz; 3:00 p.m. 2 oz; 6:00 p.m. 2 oz; 9:00 p.m. 2 oz; 12:00 a.m. 1.5–2 oz; 3:00 a.m. 1.5–2 oz. Total: roughly 14–16 oz for many babies in week one. Adjust to cues.
What If Baby Sleeps Through Feeds?
Newborns sleep a lot, but long stretches can trim intake. Try skin-to-skin, a diaper change, or a brief un-swaddle to wake for feeds. Stroke the palm, trace the lips with a drop of milk, and offer the breast or bottle. If your baby still won’t rouse and diaper counts are slipping, ring your clinic.
Managing Night Feeds Without Draining You
Prep a simple station before bed: burp cloths, diapers, water, and a light snack. Keep lights low and voices soft. If you split duties, one person handles diapers and burps while the other handles feeds. With bottles, portion a few small feeds in the fridge so you’re not measuring at 3 a.m.
Tracking That Helps — And What To Skip
A basic log can steady the early days. Note start times, which breast or bottle, estimated volume, and diaper counts. Skip minute-by-minute tallies and strict schedules. You’re looking for patterns: 8–12 breastfeeds or 6–8 bottles, rising wets, and stools shifting from black to yellow by day 4–5.
Pumping And Supplementing In Week One
If you need to add expressed milk or formula, small, frequent top-ups pair well with direct breastfeeds. Offer 5–15 mL first, then reassess. Use a slow plan for any increases. If your baby latches after a top-up, switch to the breast sooner the next feed and keep sessions skin-to-skin to boost hormones that drive supply. If you’re pumping, a hands-on routine with breast compressions and warm packs can help milk flow.
Common Feeding Snags In Week One
Sleepy Starter
Skin-to-skin, a gentle diaper change, or hand expression onto the lips can wake interest. If your baby snoozes at the breast after a minute or two, try breast compressions to keep milk moving. With bottles, switch to a slower nipple and tilt the bottle to stop the flow during pauses.
Spitty After Feeds
Small spits are normal. Large gushes after every feed can point to fast flow or overfilling. Shorten the bottle session, burp twice, and aim for a more upright hold. With breastfeeds, break the latch briefly when swallows slow and relatch. A calm, unhurried feed helps bubbles rise and bellies settle.
Chapped Nipples
Check latch depth, line up nose to nipple, and bring the baby in close with a wide gape. Air-dry a few drops of expressed milk after feeds and use breathable bras. If pain peaks through the whole feed or you see cracks, reach out early for latch help and a plan that keeps feeds comfortable.
Safety Notes You Can Trust
Use clean water and follow label directions when mixing formula. Don’t prop bottles. Keep nighttime feeds low-light and quiet. If you use a bottle and warm milk, test on your wrist and discard any leftovers after two hours at room temp. Wash hands before every feed and clean pump parts after each session.
When Intake Looks Low But Baby Is Fine
First-day feeds look tiny by design. Colostrum matches stomach size and clears meconium. If diaper counts rise as shown, skin tone looks pink, and your baby rouses for feeds, you’re on track. If diaper counts drop or weight dips fast, call your care team for a same-day check.
Trusted Sources For Deeper Reading
For formula volumes in week one, see the AAP’s feeding guidance. For diaper benchmarks and early breastfeeding basics, see the CDC’s newborn breastfeeding basics.