Offer 5–30 ml per feed on days 1–3, 30–60 ml by day 4, and about 60–90 ml by week 2; feed 8–12 times and follow newborn hunger cues.
New babies take tiny amounts in the early days, then ramp up fast. If you’re planning bottles of pumped milk, a few clear guardrails help you pour the right amount without waste.
Every baby sets their own rhythm, though the ranges below line up with what health bodies publish. Use them as a starting point, then let your baby’s cues steer the final pour.
How Much Expressed Milk For A Newborn Per Feed (By Age)
The first week brings the biggest changes. Milk volume rises, the stomach stretches, and feeds cluster as growth surges. The table packs the main numbers in milliliters and ounces, plus how often babies usually feed.
| Age | Per Feed (ml / oz) | Feeds In 24 h |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 2–10 ml (0.1–0.3 oz) | 8–12+ |
| Days 1–2 | 5–15 ml (0.2–0.5 oz) | 8–12+ |
| Days 2–3 | 15–30 ml (0.5–1 oz) | 8–12+ |
| Days 3–4 | 30–60 ml (1–2 oz) | 8–12+ |
| Days 5–7 | 45–90 ml (1.5–3 oz) | 8–12+ |
| Week 2–3 | 60–90 ml (2–3 oz) | 8–12+ |
| 1 Month | 80–150 ml (2.5–5 oz) | 7–9 |
Two handy anchors: most newborns nurse 8–12 times a day, and by the end of the first month many take 90–120 ml (3–4 oz) per bottle. See the U.S. CDC guidance on feeding frequency for more.
What Shapes Intake In Week One
Early milk, called colostrum, comes in tiny amounts and is dense in protective factors. Your baby’s stomach on day one holds only about a teaspoon or two, then stretches across the next few days. As mature milk increases, per-feed volumes rise quickly and most parents notice longer stretches between feeds.
A round number that eases the mind: by days four to seven many babies handle 30–60 ml per feed, then climb toward 60–90 ml in weeks two to three. Some sit lower or higher on that range and still grow well. The match with your baby’s cues, weight checks, and diapers matters more than any single bottle size.
Daily Intake Without Guesswork
Daily totals come from simple math: per-feed amount times the number of feeds. For a newborn taking 60 ml eight times, that’s 480 ml in 24 hours. A baby taking 90 ml ten times lands at 900 ml. Real-life days swing around growth spurts, cluster feeds, and long naps, so think ranges, not targets.
If your baby takes smaller, more frequent bottles, the total can land the same by day’s end; what counts is output, calm feeds, and a happy baby between sessions. Relaxed burps and wake-ups are signs.
Weight, birth history, latch quality, and health all shape intake. If your baby was early, tiny, or sleepy, smaller, more frequent bottles can work better than trying to hit the top of a range.
Hunger And Fullness Cues To Trust
Cues help you size each bottle on the fly. Early cues are gold, since babies feed better before they’re upset.
- Hunger cues: stirring, rooting, lip smacking, hands to mouth, short eager cries.
- Fullness cues: slower sucking, relaxed hands, turning away, sealed lips, milk pooling at the mouth.
- Growth spurts: more frequent feeds, often in the evening, then a return to baseline the next day or two.
Bottle Size, Nipples, And Pace
Newborns do well with 60–90 ml (2–3 oz) bottles in week two and three, then many shift to 120 ml (4 oz) bottles by the end of month one. Using a slow-flow nipple and paced feeding keeps the flow gentle and more like the breast.
Paced Bottle Feeding, Step By Step
- Hold your baby upright and support the neck. Keep the bottle near horizontal so milk fills the nipple but doesn’t pour.
- Let your baby draw the nipple in. Pause every few minutes to burp and check cues.
- Switch sides halfway to mimic the breast. Resume and stop when cues say “done,” even if milk remains.
- If your baby gulps or coughs, tilt the bottle more horizontal or try a slower nipple.
Overfeeding Signs With Bottles
- Gulping, coughing, or milk leaking from the corners of the mouth.
- Lots of spit-up, belly tension, or gassy fuss right after feeds.
- Finishing bottles fast every time with a slow nipple and pauses in place.
- Rapid weight gain with fuss at the breast after bottle sessions.
Gear That Helps Pace Feeds
- Slowest-flow newborn nipple that still lets your baby stay relaxed.
- Small bottles (60–120 ml) in the early weeks to avoid overpours.
- Upright hold for baby and near-horizontal bottle position.
- Burp cloths and a timer so planned pauses actually happen.
Milk Temperature And Bottle Refusals
Preference varies. Some babies take cool milk, others relax when it’s warmed close to body temp. If your baby resists bottles after nursing well, tweak one thing at a time:
- Warm to 37–38°C (99–100°F), then test on your wrist.
- Try a different slow-flow nipple shape while keeping the same pace.
- Offer when your baby is calm and just starting to cue, not already crying.
When Bottle Sizes Should Change
Stay with small bottles while your baby still takes many feeds each day. Move up when two things align: bottles empty fast and your baby keeps cueing for a bit more after paced pauses. Many families shift from 90 ml bottles to 120 ml bottles near the end of month one, then hold steady. If weight checks look good and diapers are plentiful, there’s no rush to pour larger bottles. The goal is calm feeds that line up with your baby’s wake windows and growth, not clearing a set volume on the label.
Storage, Warming, And Safety For Expressed Milk
Safe storage protects flavor and immune factors. The quick rules below match public health guidance. Full details live on the CDC page for breast milk storage and prep.
| Place | Temperature | Safe Time |
|---|---|---|
| Room | 77°F / 25°C or colder | Up to 4 hours |
| Refrigerator | 40°F / 4°C or colder | Up to 4 days |
| Freezer | 0°F / −18°C (colder is fine) | Best by 6 months; up to 12 months |
Planning A Pumping Rhythm For A Newborn
If you’re away from your baby or building a small stash, aim to pump about as often as your baby would feed. Early on that means every 2–3 hours by day and at least once overnight, then easing to every 3–4 hours by the end of the first month.
Hands-on techniques help output: warm up for a minute, massage, compress during let-down, and end with brief hand expression. Many parents see steadier bottles when they keep sessions to 15–20 minutes and avoid long gaps.
Night Feeds And Cluster Batches
Even great sleepers wake to feed. Many newborns bunch feeds in the evening, then take one longer stretch at night. Keep night bottles simple: pre-portioned 60–75 ml ready in the fridge, a dim light, and a calm burp. Most families find nights smoother when daytime feeds stay frequent and unhurried.
Diapers, Weight, And When To Recheck Amounts
Output tells a clear story. From day five on, most babies have six or more heavy wets in 24 hours and yellow, loose stools. Slow output, tough latch, or steady bottle refusals can mean the plan needs a tweak.
Signs That Need A Call Today
- Fewer than six wets after day five, dark urine, or brick-dust crystals past day four.
- No stool for over 24 hours in the first two weeks, or stools stay dark past day five.
- Ongoing cough or gag at the bottle, fast breathing, or labored feeding.
- Sleepiness that blocks feeds or a sharp drop in interest in feeding.
If any of these pop up, ask your pediatrician or an IBCLC for a quick check and a plan suited to your baby.
Takeaway You Can Act On Today
For a newborn, pour small, feed often, and let cues set the pace. Start with 30–60 ml in week one, moving toward 60–90 ml by weeks two to three. Keep sessions calm and paced, match your pump plan to baby’s rhythm, and follow the storage chart for safe bottles. You’ve got this.