On day 3, most newborns take 15–30 mL (0.5–1 oz) of infant formula per feed about every 2–3 hours; watch hunger and fullness cues.
What day 3 feeding looks like
A three-day-old baby still has a tiny tummy and short feeds. Small bottles do the job. Most feeds land around 15–30 mL, then stretch a bit across the week. Spacing often sits near every three hours, though your baby may bunch feeds and then take a longer nap. Responsive feeding wins here: offer when you see early cues and pause when comfort shows up.
The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that during the first week babies take about 1–2 ounces per feed and build volume across the first month. Formula-fed babies often settle into a three-to-four-hour rhythm once intake rises. You can read their guidance on the amount and schedule on HealthyChildren.org.
| Baby age | Per-feed amount | Feeds in 24 hours |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 5–15 mL (0.2–0.5 oz) | 8–12 |
| Day 2 | 15–30 mL (0.5–1 oz) | 8–12 |
| Day 3–4 | 20–30 mL (0.7–1 oz) | 8–12 |
| Day 5–7 | 30–60 mL (1–2 oz) | 7–10 |
Ranges vary. Follow cues over the clock. Birth weight, growth, and bottle pace shape the picture.
How much formula for a 3 day old baby: per-feed guide
Start with 15–30 mL and pace the bottle. Hold your baby upright, keep the nipple full, and tip the bottle just enough to see steady swallows. Take brief breaks every minute or two. This helps your newborn sense fullness and helps you spot cues without a rush.
If your baby drains 30 mL fast and still searches, offer a touch more in five-to-ten-milliliter steps. If your baby slows, turns away, or lets milk leak from the mouth, stop and burp. You can always offer again a few minutes later.
Total in 24 hours
Day-three intake often lands near 120–240 mL across the day, with some babies lower or higher. That total comes from several small feeds rather than large bottles. If you track, look at the whole day, not each single feed. A quiet stretch after a cluster of feeds is common.
Hunger cues you can trust
Watch for early signs: stirring, hand-to-mouth moves, rooting, soft grunts, or quick eye flickers. Crying sits late on the hunger scale, so offer the bottle before tears build. If your baby wakes again soon after a small sip, try another short feed rather than stretching time by the clock.
Plenty of newborns stack two short bottles close together, then sleep longer. That pattern is fine at this stage. The goal is steady intake across the day, content wake windows, and growing comfort with the bottle.
Fullness cues that say enough
You might see slower sucks, relaxed hands, a turned head, milk dribbling, or sleepiness. Stop the bottle when these show. For a sleepy baby, a gentle burp and a short cuddle often seal the feed. For a gassy baby, a mid-feed pause can reset the latch and pace.
Some babies still want the soothing that comes with sucking once their tummy is full. A pacifier after the bottle can help in that situation, especially when you already see clear fullness signs.
Bottle setup and mixing basics
Safe prep matters each feed. Wash your hands, clean the workspace, and use clean bottles. Follow the scoop-per-water ratio on your can, and pour water into the bottle before adding powder. Never pack the scoop or guess at half scoops. Skip the microwave; warm under running warm water or in a bowl of warm water if you like.
The CDC guidance on preparation and storage lays out each step in plain language. HealthyChildren.org also lists safe mixing tips, including when to use cooled, boiled water for young infants.
Safe mixing, step by step
1. Check the can date and read the label.
2. Wash hands and clean the counter.
3. Use safe water, pour it into the bottle, then add level scoops.
4. Cap, swirl gently, and test a drop on your wrist.
5. Store made bottles in the fridge and toss unused milk after two hours at room temp or 24 hours in the fridge.
Picking nipple flow and bottle size
For day 3, a slow-flow nipple supports steady swallows and fewer gulps. If milk pours out with the bottle barely tipped, the flow is likely too fast. If your baby works hard and the nipple collapses, switch to a fresh nipple of the same flow or check the vent. Small bottles (60–120 mL) help you pour accurate amounts and cut waste at this stage.
Vent systems can lower air intake for some infants. If you try one, watch your baby’s comfort, not the brand chart. The best fit is the one that gives calm swallows and relaxed hands by the end of the feed.
Burping that actually helps
Short pauses during and after feeds move swallowed air up before it turns into fuss. Try over-the-shoulder with a steady back rub, or seated on your lap with chin supported and a soft back pat. Two or three quick burps are often enough for these small volumes.
If burps don’t come, don’t force it. Lay your baby on the back for a minute, then pick up again. The change in position can free a bubble and settle the next sips.
Signs feeding is on track
Stool often shifts from dark and sticky to green-brown, then yellow. Wet diapers climb across the week. Content wake time after a feed is a friendly sign too. Your nurse or doctor will weigh your baby and look at this picture as a whole.
| Sign | What you see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Hunger | Rooting, hands near mouth, soft whimpers | Offer a 15–30 mL feed and pace |
| Enough | Relaxed hands, slower sucks, turning away | Stop, burp, cuddle |
| Needs a pause | Arching, gulping, milk leaking | Burp, reset latch, resume slowly |
| Output | Two or more stools, three to four wet diapers | Keep current volumes and pace |
By day five, aim for around six or more wet diapers in 24 hours.
Sample day 3 feeding rhythm
Here’s one way a day might look: a bottle around 1:00 a.m., then 4:00 a.m., 7:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m., and 10:00 p.m. Feeds vary. Some runs will bunch closer, others will spread out. Small volumes and gentle pacing keep the day smooth.
If you’re tracking, write start times and volumes. Bring that log to checkups. A short note like “gassy after 10 mL, better after burp” helps spot patterns that you might forget at 3:00 a.m.
Common questions at this stage
What if my baby wants more than 30 mL?
Add small amounts and watch cues. Many babies take 35–40 mL at a few feeds by the end of the week. If your baby finishes fast and stays calm, the amount you offered likely fit the need. If spit-up spikes, go back to smaller sips and add a pause.
What if my baby finishes only 10–15 mL?
That can be fine after a cluster. Offer again when early cues return. Short, frequent sips still add up across the day. Track diapers and comfort rather than chasing a single target at each feed.
How long should a bottle take?
A calm day-three bottle often runs 10–20 minutes with pauses. A fast five-minute bottle can bring gulping and extra gas. A long, sleepy bottle can show a flow that’s too slow or a baby who’s dozing instead of feeding.
Paced bottle basics that make feeds smoother
Hold your baby upright, keep the bottle near horizontal, and let your baby draw milk in rather than pour it in. After every minute or so, lower the bottle to break the latch and see if your baby seeks more. Switch sides halfway through the bottle to balance head turn and neck comfort. This style slows air intake and gives your baby time to feel full.
If you notice fast breathing, wide eyes, or splayed fingers, pause. A short burp and a slower restart usually bring an easier rhythm. If these signs repeat with every bottle, try a slower nipple or a more level bottle angle.
Night feeds and your sleep
Day-three nights still include two to four bottles. Pre-measure water in clean bottles and keep powder ready in a dry scoop. Mix fresh, swirl, feed, burp, and back to sleep. A dim room and a simple routine cut wake time. If diapers look fine and your baby settles after the bottle, you’re on track.
If your baby gives a long stretch at night, don’t rush to wake unless your doctor gave you a plan to do so. Offer a good feed when your baby wakes, then watch the next few feeds to make sure daytime intake stays steady.
Combining breast and bottle on day 3
Many families pair breast milk and formula during these early days. You might nurse first, then top up with a small bottle, or offer a small bottle first and then nurse for comfort. Size those bottles on the small side so your baby stays eager to finish at the breast if you plan to nurse. Track diapers, weight checks, and comfort to judge how the mix is working.
If you’re pumping, match bottle amounts to what you pump and use formula for the gap. Label and chill pumped milk right away. If you need to warm it, a bowl of warm water does the job without hot spots.
Storing, warming, and tossing safely
Mixed formula keeps up to 24 hours in the fridge. Once your baby starts a bottle, use it within two hours or discard. Never re-chill a started bottle. When warming, aim for lukewarm, not hot. Test on your wrist each time. These small steps cut the chance of tummy upset and keep feeds predictable.
Wash bottles, rings, and nipples with hot soapy water and let parts air-dry. If you use a dishwasher, place small parts in a basket. Replace nipples that crack, thin out, or stick together after a boil or wash.
When to call your pediatrician
Reach out if feeds feel off or your baby shows warning signs. Call if your baby has fewer than three wet diapers on day three, fewer than four on day four, no stool, a sunken soft spot, dry mouth, or weak cries. Call if spit-up turns forceful, green, or bloody, or if your baby seems too sleepy to wake for feeds. If a fever shows up or you’re worried for any reason, seek care now.
Troubleshooting common bottle hiccups
Lots of spit-up: Try smaller, more frequent feeds and keep your baby upright for twenty to thirty minutes after the bottle. Watch the nipple flow; a slower flow often helps.
Gulping air: Tip the bottle just enough to keep the nipple full. Pause often for burps, and check tongue and lip position.
Refusing the bottle: Warm the nipple, offer skin-to-skin, dim lights, and try side-lying with the bottle level to your baby’s mouth.
Gas and fuss: Short burp breaks and gentle leg cycles can help. Some babies do better with two short feeds than one longer one during this stage.