Start tiny and often: 2–10 mL day 1, 15–30 mL days 2–3, 30–60 mL days 3–4, then 1.5–3 oz per feed by weeks 2–3.
Feeding a brand-new baby can feel like math class. Pumps, bottles, ounces, milliliters—plus a tiny tummy that changes by the day. This guide lays out clear targets for the first weeks, explains why volumes rise, and shows how to size bottles without overdoing it. You’ll also find a simple plan you can use today and safe storage rules for your growing stash.
How Much Milk To Pump For A Newborn: Quick Targets
Newborns eat often—about 8–12 times in 24 hours. Early on, amounts stay small because colostrum is thick and the stomach is tiny. As milk changes, per-feed volume climbs. Use the table below as a ballpark, then follow your baby’s cues. For frequency basics, see the CDC guidance on how much and how often.
| Age | Per-Session Pump Target | Typical Feed Size |
|---|---|---|
| Birth–24 Hours | 2–10 mL each session | 2–10 mL |
| 24–48 Hours | 5–15 mL | 5–15 mL |
| 48–72 Hours | 15–30 mL | 15–30 mL |
| 72–96 Hours | 30–60 mL | 30–60 mL |
| Days 5–7 | 45–60 mL | 45–60 mL |
| Weeks 2–3 | 60–90 mL | 2–3 oz |
| Weeks 3–4 | 75–105 mL | 2.5–3.5 oz |
These numbers mirror what many families see when milk shifts from colostrum to transitional and then to mature milk. If your baby wants more or less at a feed, that’s fine—offer paced bottle feeds and watch diapers and weight. Signs that intake is on track include at least 8–12 feeds a day, rhythmic swallows, and settled periods after feeds. Your pediatric team can use weight checks to confirm the trend.
What If Baby Was Just Born Today?
In the first hours, hand expression can be even better than a pump for thick colostrum. Aim for drops to teaspoons each time and offer them right away. Skin-to-skin and early removal of colostrum support supply. If you’re separated from your baby, begin expressing within 1–3 hours after birth and continue every 2–3 hours, including overnight. Sessions can be short early on; you’re collecting small amounts often while teaching your body what the baby would do.
Why Volumes Rise Across The Week
Colostrum packs a punch: tiny servings, big antibodies. As milk changes and the stomach stretches, babies can take more per feed without discomfort. That’s why day-by-day goals start in milliliters and move toward ounces. Small, frequent sessions build supply while preventing overfilling a brand-new tummy.
Make A Starter Bottle Size
By the end of week one, many babies take 1.5–2 oz per feed. By weeks 2–3, 2–3 oz is common, and some reach 3–3.5 oz by week four. For older infants, total daily intake stays fairly steady while bottle size shifts with feed count. That’s your sizing lever: split the day’s intake into the number of feeds your baby usually takes, then pour slightly less to start. You can always add a little more after a pause.
Quick Formula To Size A Bottle
- Pick today’s feed count. Newborns often eat 8–12 times in 24 hours.
- For weeks 2–3, start with 2–3 oz per feed. Past the first month, many babies land near 19–30 oz in 24 hours; divide by your feed count for a starting number.
- Pour modestly. Offer, pause, burp, and top up if your baby still shows hunger cues.
Why start small? Bottles flow faster than the breast. Paced bottle feeding helps match your baby’s rhythm and lowers the chance of overfilling. Look for steady swallows and easy pauses, not a rushed chug. If spit-ups or gas bother your baby, use a slower nipple and keep the bottle more horizontal so your baby controls the pace.
Sample Pumping Plan For The First Two Weeks
Every family is different. Use this as a baseline you can tweak. It works for exclusive pumpers, combo feeders, and parents building a small stash for rest or shifts.
Days 0–3
- Express every 2–3 hours, 8–12 sessions daily. Night sessions count.
- Hand express before or after pumping to coax out sticky colostrum.
- Expect drops to teaspoons on day 1, rising toward 15–30 mL by days 2–3.
Days 4–7
- Keep 8–12 sessions in 24 hours. Consistency is your friend.
- Targets move toward 30–60 mL at many sessions as milk changes.
- If a session yields little, try a brief “power” finish: 5 minutes rest, 5 minutes pump.
Week 2
- Most babies take 2–3 oz per feed. Many pumpers see 1.5–3 oz per session across the day.
- If you’re nursing and pumping, time the pump after a feed or between sides to avoid overfilling the next feed.
- If you must miss a session, add one later to protect supply.
Responsive feeding remains the anchor. Newborns commonly feed 8–12 times, and hunger cues—stirring, rooting, hands to mouth—matter more than the clock. If your baby wants another ounce after a pause, offer it. If your baby slows, turns away, or relaxes the hands, wrap up and try again later.
If You’re Supplementing
Sometimes babies need extra milk while lactation is getting established. In the first days, small volumes work best. Ranges like 5–15 mL on day 2, 15–30 mL on day 3, and 30–60 mL by days 3–4 fit the stomach and match the table above. Offer the least amount that settles your baby, then return to the breast or pump often to build supply. If supplements continue, share your logs with your pediatric team so they can fine-tune the plan.
Bottle Tips That Protect Intake
- Use slow-flow nipples and paced feeding so your baby can pause.
- Hold baby more upright and keep the bottle horizontal to slow the stream.
- Switch sides halfway to mimic a change of breast.
- Watch for full cues: relaxed hands, fewer swallows, turning away.
- Burp during the pauses, not only at the end.
Safe Storage And Handling Of Expressed Milk
Keep a few small bottles ready and freeze the rest in date-labeled portions. Follow the CDC breast milk storage guidelines for time and temperature.
| Where | Safe Time Window | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Room temp (~20–25 °C) | Up to 4 hours | Keep covered and clean |
| Refrigerator (≤4 °C) | Up to 4 days | Store at the back |
| Freezer (-18 °C or colder) | Best by 6 months; ok to 12 | Leave headspace for expansion |
Thaw the oldest first. Warm gently in lukewarm water, swirl to mix, and avoid microwaves. After a feed, use any leftover within 2 hours, then discard. If milk separates in the fridge, a gentle swirl brings it back together. Sour smell or stringy clumps are signs to toss it.
How To Tell Intake Is On Track
Output and growth tell the story. In the first week you should see wet diapers rising each day and stools moving from dark meconium to mustard-yellow. After that, steady weight gain and bright, alert periods between feeds are reassuring. If diapers dip, feed counts drop, or your baby stays sleepy at the breast and bottles, call your care team and a lactation consultant for a check-in.
Common Scenarios And Simple Tweaks
Sleepy Baby
Some newborns snooze through early cues. Try skin-to-skin, a diaper change, or a brief unswaddle to wake for feeds. Offer smaller, frequent bottles, then pump to match missed direct feeds. Short, frequent sessions are less tiring than one big push.
Cluster Feeding Evenings
Babies often bunch feeds later in the day. Plan a few extra short sessions and keep bottles at the smaller end of the range to avoid overfilling. A calm, dim room and paced bottle feeding help babies take what they need without taking too much.
Pumping For NICU Or Separation
Start early, then aim for 8–12 sessions. Double-pump when you can. A hands-on routine—warmth, breast massage, and compressions—can help output. If supply feels stuck, add one extra session for a few days and track your totals. Small gains add up across the week.
Fast Weight Gain Or Spit-Ups
Check bottle pace and nipple flow. Shorten sessions, add pauses, and hold upright after feeds. Keep burp cloths handy and try smaller, more frequent bottles. If growth or reflux worries you, share your log and your bottle sizes with your pediatric team so they can fine-tune the plan.
Building A Small Stash
Once daily, add a relaxed “extra” pump—often in the morning when many see a little more. Freeze in 1–2 oz bags so you can warm only what you need. Label with the date and amount. Rotate by using the oldest first.
Returning To Work Soon
Count how many feeds your baby usually takes while you’re away and prep that many bottles plus one spare. Most parents find 2–4 ounce bottles easiest to manage in the early months. Keep a cooler bag and ice packs ready so transport stays simple.
Troubleshooting Low Output Days
Everyone has slow sessions now and then. Check the basics: flange fit, suction that feels strong but not painful, and relaxed shoulders. Try a warm compress and gentle massage before you start. Some parents get more when they switch between expression modes a few times, or when they add a short second cycle after a brief break. Hydration, snacks within reach, and a hands-free setup make it easier to keep sessions regular.
Preventing Overfeeding With Bottles
Overfilling a tiny tummy can lead to spit-ups, gas, and fast weight jumps. Paced feeding, slow-flow nipples, and modest bottle sizes protect your baby’s pace. Watch your baby, not the clock or the bottle line. If your baby slows, opens the fists, and turns the head, stop and burp. If your baby seems hungry again soon after, offer another small amount.
Smart Ways To Track Without Stress
You don’t need an elaborate spreadsheet. A simple note on your phone works well: time, session volume, and any top-ups. For bottles, write the amount on painter’s tape so caregivers can match what your baby usually takes. Share the plan so everyone pours the same starting size and uses the same pacing steps.
Bringing It All Together
The first days are about frequent, tiny volumes. By week two, most bottles land around 2–3 oz, with total daily intake settling near your baby’s needs. Keep sessions regular, size bottles modestly, and lean on diaper counts and weight checks. With time, the numbers feel easy—and your baby shows you the rest.