Most newborns take about 1–2 oz (30–60 mL) per feed in the first week, rising to 2–4 oz (60–120 mL) by the end of the first month.
New parents ask this on day one and day thirty. There’s no single number that fits every baby, but there are solid ranges that keep feeds calm and growth steady. The goal here is simple: know what’s typical, watch your baby, and adjust without stress.
How Much Milk A Newborn Drinks Per Feeding: Practical Ranges
Here’s a quick view of average per-feed amounts across the first weeks. The numbers are ballparks, not targets. If your baby shows hunger sooner, feed again; if they turn away or fall asleep at the breast or bottle, that feed may be done.
| Age | Breastfeeding (per feed) | Formula (per feed) |
|---|---|---|
| First 24 hours | 2–10 mL (a few teaspoons) | 5–15 mL |
| Days 2–3 | 15–30 mL (0.5–1 oz) | 15–30 mL |
| Days 3–4 | 30–60 mL (1–2 oz) | 30–60 mL |
| Days 5–7 | 45–60 mL (1.5–2 oz) | 45–60 mL |
| Weeks 2–3 | 60–90 mL (2–3 oz) | 60–90 mL |
| End of month 1 | 75–120 mL (2.5–4 oz) | 90–120 mL (3–4 oz) |
Breastfeeds vary more within a single day. Cluster feeds in the evening are common and normal. Bottles tend to be more consistent because you can see the volume, though babies still take different amounts at different times.
Breastfeeding Amounts By Day And Week
Early milk is colostrum. It’s thick, golden, and tiny in volume but dense in goodness. Expect small, frequent feeds on day one. As milk transitions, per-feed amounts rise and the gaps between feeds start to stretch.
Day 0–1: Teaspoons Add Up
Many babies take just drops to teaspoons per feed in the first 24 hours. That can look small, yet it’s plenty for a belly the size of a marble. Aim for 8–12 feeds across the day. Watch for active sucking and audible swallows rather than the clock.
Days 2–3: Building Volume
By the second and third day, babies often move toward half an ounce to an ounce per feed. Your milk is shifting, and diapers tell the story: more wet diapers, and dark meconium turning lighter. If latch is painful or feeds feel endless without good swallows, get help early.
Days 4–7: One To Two Ounces
As milk comes in, many newborns settle into 1–2 oz per feed with 8–12 feeds per 24 hours. Evening bunching is common. If a session is short, the next may run longer. Let your baby decide the finish line by relaxing their hands, releasing the nipple, or dozing off.
Weeks 2–3: Two To Three Ounces
Intake rises to about 2–3 oz per feed for many babies, still on demand. Some babies take both sides; others tank up on one. If switching sides, burp before the second side to make room.
End Of Month 1: Three To Four Ounces
By four weeks, lots of babies take 3–4 oz when bottle-fed expressed milk and similar amounts at the breast. Feeds may space to every 2–4 hours. Growth spurts can bring a day or two of extra feeds; follow cues and your supply will match the ask.
For cadence and hunger patterns, the CDC’s breastfeeding page offers plain guidance on frequency and signs your baby wants to eat. Use it as a guardrail while you watch your own baby’s signals.
Formula Feeding: How Much Per Feed
Portions rise in a steady arc with formula. In the first week, many babies take 1–2 oz per feed. Through the first month, most work up to 3–4 oz at a time, often every 3–4 hours. Daily totals usually land near 24–32 oz by the end of the first month, spread across 6–10 feeds.
For a trusted range and timing, see the American Academy of Pediatrics guidance on amounts and schedules. Use it as a ceiling, not a quota. If your baby signals full at 2 oz, stop there and try again later.
Paced Bottle Basics
Hold your baby more upright, keep the bottle more horizontal, and pause for burps. That slows the flow and helps babies notice fullness. A slow-flow nipple helps, too. If a bottle is draining in a few minutes, it’s probably too fast.
How Often Should A Newborn Feed?
Most newborns feed 8–12 times in 24 hours. That often means every 2–3 hours, measured from the start of one feed to the start of the next. Some babies bunch feeds in the evening; others wake more at night. Both patterns are normal.
Hunger Cues To Watch
Early cues: stirring, rooting, smacking lips, bringing hands to mouth. Late cue: strong crying. Try to start the feed during early cues when latching tends to go smoother.
Fullness Cues
Relaxed hands, slower sucking, fewer swallows, turning away from breast or bottle. Don’t push for a number on the bottle once these show up. Babies regulate well when we let them call “done.”
Growth, Diapers, And When To Adjust
Your baby is unique, but diapers and weight checks give you clear feedback. After day four, most babies make at least six wet diapers and several stools a day. Stools shift from dark to mustard-yellow and looser. At checkups, steady growth across weeks matters more than any single feed size.
When A Feed Looks Too Small
If your baby stops early and seems content, that was enough. If they wake hungry again in an hour, that last feed was a snack; offer another. If small sessions stack up with few wet diapers, talk with your care team.
When A Feed Looks Big
Spit-up happens. If your baby is happy, gaining, and breathing easily, a little laundry is okay. If they arch, cough, or seem uncomfortable during feeds, slow the flow and add burp breaks. For bottle feeds, try a smaller volume and add one more feed across the day.
What Changes The Amount Per Feed
Plenty of normal shifts change intake on any given day. Time of day, growth spurts, nap length, and how active your baby was all play a part. A long nap can push two feeds closer together; a busy morning can bring a bigger lunch.
Breast Versus Bottle
At the breast, babies self-regulate well and often take smaller, more frequent meals. Bottles are easy to finish even when a baby is nearly full. Paced feeding helps that.
Birth Weight And Size
Smaller babies may prefer more frequent, smaller feeds. Bigger babies often stretch longer between meals and may take more at once. Both can thrive on responsive feeding.
Latch, Flow, And Comfort
A deep latch and a flow your baby can handle make feeds smoother. If you see dimpled cheeks, clicking, or hear lots of air, adjust position and seek help. For bottles, check the nipple size and angle.
Hunger And Fullness Cues At A Glance
Use this table during the early weeks. It’s a quick screen-time saver when you’re tired and holding a wiggly newborn.
| Cue | What You’ll See | Helpful Move |
|---|---|---|
| Early hunger | Rooting, hands to mouth, soft sounds | Offer breast or bottle now |
| Active hunger | Strong sucking, fussing, head turning | Start feed; help with latch or pace |
| Fullness | Relaxed hands, slower sucking, turning away | End feed; burp and cuddle |
| Overfull | Spit-up, arching, discomfort | Smaller volumes next time; slower flow |
Simple Ways To Keep Feeds Smooth
Set Up Your Spot
Good light, water within reach, burp cloths handy. A small pillow under the arm can save sore wrists. Comfort helps you stay patient while your baby works.
Watch The Baby, Not The Ounces
Numbers guide us, but babies lead. Stop when your newborn pulls off, goes limp-armed, or looks drowsy. Resume when you see early hunger cues. That rhythm builds trust and keeps intake right-sized.
Protect Night Feeds
Night feeds boost supply and keep babies growing. Keep the lights low and the routine quiet so everyone can drift back to sleep.
Burp Early And Often
Pause midway, then again at the end. A few gentle pats can turn a fussy feed into a calm one. If nothing comes up after a minute, move on.
When To Call Your Care Team
Reach out if wet diapers are scarce after day four, if feeds are always longer than an hour with few swallows, if your baby seems sleepy at every feed, or if you spot signs of dehydration like a dry mouth. Trust your gut. Early help makes a big difference.
Sample Day: What Feeds Might Look Like
No baby matches a template, yet seeing a sample day can help you set expectations.
Breastfed Pattern
Morning starts with a full feed on one side, burp, then the other side. Late morning brings a shorter top-up after a nap. Midday often lands a steady feed, then a catnap. Late afternoon may be two closer feeds. Evening sometimes clusters: two or three feeds between dinner and bedtime. One to three night feeds are common in the first weeks. All normal.
Formula-Fed Pattern
Many babies take a 2–3 oz bottle on waking, then every 3–4 hours across the day. If naps run long, the next bottle may come sooner. Some babies take a larger bedtime bottle, others keep it even. One or two night bottles are common early on.