Newborns usually take 45–90 ml (1.5–3 oz) per feed, adding up to roughly 300–900 ml (10–30 oz) in 24 hours.
How Much Expressed Milk A Newborn Needs Daily: Realistic Ranges
The goal is steady growth and a calm baby, not chasing a magic number. In the early days, stomach size is tiny and intake climbs quickly. Most babies feed 8–12 times in 24 hours. Across a full day in the first weeks, many land somewhere between 300 and 900 milliliters of milk, with single feeds commonly falling in the 45–90 milliliter window. By about four weeks, lots of babies settle near 90–120 milliliters per feed. If your baby asks sooner, offer more. If they turn away, stop. Simple.
| Age | Per Feed (ml / oz) | Feeds/Day & Approx Total |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 5–10 ml (up to 0.3 oz) | 8–12 feeds; ~30 ml (≈1 oz) |
| Day 2–3 | 5–30 ml (0.2–1 oz) | 8–12 feeds; rising intake |
| Day 4–6 | 30–60 ml (1–2 oz) | 8–12 feeds; ~300–600 ml (10–20 oz) |
| Weeks 2–3 | 60–90 ml (2–3 oz) | 8–12 feeds; ~450–750 ml (15–25 oz) |
| Week 4 | 90–120 ml (3–4 oz) | 7–10 feeds; ~600–900+ ml (20–30+ oz) |
Intake varies with birth weight, gestational age, and how milk transfer is going. Bottle amounts also differ from direct nursing. That’s okay. Follow hunger and fullness cues and watch diaper output and weight trends. For a quick cross-check on bottle amounts by the end of month one, see the AAP guidance on how often and how much.
Reading Hunger And Fullness Cues
Newborns rarely eat by the clock. They ask when they need it. Offer expressed milk when you see early signs, and pause when your baby shows they’ve had enough.
Early Hunger Signs
- Stirring, hand-to-mouth moves, rooting, lip smacking.
- Soft fussing that grows if milk doesn’t come soon.
Fullness Signs
- Relaxed hands and face, slower sucking, coming off the nipple.
- Falling asleep after a steady feed; turning the head away.
Diaper Reality Check
By day five, expect at least six heavy wet diapers in 24 hours and regular stools. Fewer wets or very dark urine after the first week can signal low intake and needs prompt attention.
Paced Bottle Feeding With Expressed Milk
Paced bottle feeding lets the baby set the rhythm, much like nursing. That helps prevent overfilling the stomach from fast flow and keeps intake closer to true appetite.
Why Pace Helps
Babies can drain a bottle with a quick nipple even when they aren’t hungry anymore. Slowing the flow gives them time to feel fullness and stop on their own.
How To Pace A Feed
- Hold your baby more upright. Keep the bottle mostly horizontal so milk doesn’t gush.
- Let your baby latch to the bottle; touch the nipple to the lip first.
- Offer short breaks every minute or two. Tip the bottle down briefly to pause.
- Switch sides halfway through to mimic nursing and prevent a favorite side.
- End the feed when your baby’s cues say “I’m done,” even if milk remains.
Planning Bottles For Work, NICU, Or Nights
Small, frequent bottles usually work better than big ones. Newborn tummies handle modest portions well, and you waste less if a feed stops early.
Quick Math You Can Trust
Estimate a daily total, divide by feeds, and prep bottles near that size. For instance, if your baby averages 720 milliliters in 24 hours and eats nine times, that’s about 80 milliliters per bottle. Make a few tiny top-off bottles (15–30 milliliters) to add only when cues say more.
Pump Schedule Basics
Try to match the baby’s rhythm. Many parents pump every 2–3 hours in the early weeks, then space to every 3–4 hours as supply settles. If you skip a session, add one later. Most see about 90–120 milliliters per session once supply matures, with daily production often landing around 750–1,035 milliliters by a few weeks postpartum.
Safe Storage Time For Expressed Milk
Clean hands, clean pump parts, labeled containers, and the oldest milk used first keep feeds safe. Store in small amounts to limit waste, and leave headspace for freezing.
| Where | Fresh Milk | Thawed Milk |
|---|---|---|
| Room temperature ≤25°C / 77°F | Up to 4 hours | Use within 2 hours of warming |
| Refrigerator ~4°C / 39°F | Up to 4 days | Use within 24 hours |
| Freezer (separate door) | Best by 6 months; up to 12 months acceptable | Do not refreeze |
See the full safety chart at the CDC breast milk storage guidelines. Warm bottles in a bowl of warm water, not in a microwave. Swirl to mix the fat back in.
Why Feeds Vary From Bottle To Bottle
Growth Spurts And Cluster Feeds
Some days your baby will ask for more, then drift back to their usual pattern. That swing is common during growth spurts or evenings when babies bunch feeds close together. Keep offering on cue and match your pumping plan to that demand over a day or two.
Bottle Flow And Position
Faster nipples and laid-back positions can push bigger volumes. If bottles seem to vanish fast and spit-up rises, try a slower nipple and paced technique. Keep the baby upright during and after feeds, burp as needed, and aim for gentle, steady sessions.
Right-Sizing Bottles Across The First Month
Week 1
Think tiny. Colostrum comes in small, mighty amounts. Per feed volumes build from teaspoons toward 30–60 milliliters by the end of the week. Use narrow bottles so small portions look normal, and be patient while milk transitions.
Weeks 2–3
Most babies move to 60–90 milliliters per feed with eight to twelve feeds a day. If your baby sleeps a longer stretch, the next daytime feeds may be a touch larger. Keep watching cues instead of forcing a fixed bottle size.
Week 4
Many babies are happy with 90–120 milliliters every 2.5–4 hours. That’s the point when caregivers often pre-pack 90 milliliter bottles for most feeds plus a couple of small add-ons. If a bottle is consistently unfinished, step the size down.
Weight, Diapers, And Peace Of Mind
Reliable signs beat math alone. Steady weight gain on the growth chart, bright alert periods, and six or more heavy wets a day after the first week all point to enough milk. If your baby is slow to gain or very sleepy at feeds, bring your care team in and get hands-on help with latch, pumping, and bottle skills.
When To Ask For Extra Help
Reach out the same day if any of these show up: fewer than six wets after day five, hard stools or very dark urine, poor latch or weak suck, long gaps without interest in feeding, frequent coughing or choking with bottles, or repeated vomiting. Babies born early or small, or with jaundice or tongue-tie, may need closer plans for expressed milk and bottle sizes.
Smart Tips That Keep Feeds Smooth
- Prep more small bottles than a few large ones; top up only when cues say so.
- Label date and amount; rotate oldest first.
- Thaw in the fridge overnight when you can, or use a sealed bag under warm water.
- Swirl, don’t shake hard; gentle mixing keeps the milk’s texture pleasant.
- Share a simple log with caregivers: time, amount offered, amount taken, and notes on cues.
Bottom Line
There isn’t a single “right” bottle size for every newborn. Early on, most take 45–90 milliliters per feed, with the day’s total often landing between 300 and 900 milliliters. Pace each bottle, watch cues, and size portions to your own baby. If worries stick, bring your pediatrician and a skilled lactation specialist into the plan so both baby and milk supply stay on track.