Newborns feed 8–12 times; about 1–3 oz per feed in week 1, rising to 3–4 oz by week 4—near 16–24 oz/day early on; formula shouldn’t exceed ~32 oz/day.
How Much Milk Should A Newborn Drink Per Day: Safe Ranges
Newborn tummies are tiny. In the first days, a few teaspoons go a long way. Feed on cue, not by the clock, and watch diapers and calmness after feeds. For parents who want numbers, here’s a sensible range drawn from trusted pediatric sources and real-world patterns. See the CDC’s breastfeeding guide and the AAP formula schedule right from day one.
First Month At A Glance
| Age | Typical Feed Volume | Feeds Per 24 Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 0.5–1 oz (15–30 mL) | 8–12+ |
| Days 2–3 | 0.75–1.5 oz (20–45 mL) | 8–12+ |
| Days 4–7 | 1–2 oz (30–60 mL) | 8–12 |
| Weeks 2–3 | 1.5–3 oz (45–90 mL) | 8–12 |
| Week 4 | 3–4 oz (90–120 mL) | 7–9 |
Daily Totals And Frequency
Across the first week, daily intake often lands near 16–24 ounces, split across many small feeds. By the end of the first month, many babies sit near 24–28 ounces per day. Formula totals should not cross about 32 ounces in any 24-hour stretch. Breastfed babies vary more feed-to-feed, but the 8–12 feeds guideline stays steady. If a daytime nap runs past about 3 hours, or a night stretch drifts past 4–5 hours in the early weeks, wake for a feed unless your clinician has said otherwise.
Weight-Based Formula Rule
For bottle feeding, a handy yardstick is about 2½ ounces of formula per pound of body weight per day, with a ceiling near 32 ounces. A 7-pound newborn would land around 17–20 ounces; a 9-pound newborn might sit near 22–24 ounces. Treat this as a range, not a target to force; babies self-regulate when we pace bottles and watch cues.
Breastfeeding: What To Expect
Demand drives supply. Most newborns who nurse 8–12 times in 24 hours build good transfer and bring in supply well. Early feeds may last 10–40 minutes. Swallows become more rhythmic after let-down. Short, frequent sessions are common during growth spurts, often late afternoon and evening. Offer both sides, then start the next feed on the side that felt less drained. If you’re pumping, many exclusively breastfed 1-month-olds take about 19–30 ounces across a day; match bottle volumes to that daily range rather than pushing large single feeds.
Formula Feeding: What To Expect
Formula intake trends a bit steadier. Typical patterns are every 3–4 hours once the first couple weeks pass. Newborns in week 1 stay closer to 1–2 ounces per feed, then move toward 3–4 ounces by week 4. Never prop bottles. Hold your baby upright, keep the teat partly filled, and let pauses happen. Paced bottle feeding helps babies self-regulate and can lower spit-up and gas.
Hunger And Fullness Cues
Babies ask with their bodies. Early hunger cues include stirring, hand-to-mouth, rooting, and lip smacking. Late cues are crying and stiff movements. On the full side, you’ll see open hands, a relaxed face, slowed or stopped sucking, milk dribbling from the corner of the mouth, and turning away from the nipple. Respond early and you’ll get calmer feeds and better intake.
Diapers And Growth: Reality Checks
Output speaks. After day 4, expect about 6 or more wet diapers daily and at least 3 mustard-yellow stools for many breastfed babies, though stool counts can vary after the first few weeks. Formula-fed stools are often tan to brown, a bit firmer. Steady weight gain and a content baby after feeds tell you you’re on track. If your newborn hasn’t regained birth weight by two weeks, or if wet diapers drop off, call your doctor.
Night Feeds, Cluster Feeds, And Growth Spurts
Evenings can run busy. Many babies cluster feed before a longer sleep block, then bounce back to shorter intervals. Around 2–3 weeks and 6 weeks, appetite often jumps. Follow their lead and keep volumes sensible rather than stretching bottles far beyond the usual. Extra sessions match needs better than upsizing every bottle.
When To Wake For Feeds
In the first two weeks, most babies need at least 8 feeds daily. If daytime naps run long, wake at about the 3-hour mark to feed. At night, a single 4–5 hour stretch can be fine for babies who are gaining well, then it’s back to every 2–3 hours. Preterm or jaundiced babies often need more frequent feeds until weight and bilirubin settle.
Safe Limits And Overfeeding
Bottles can flow faster than the breast, so it’s easy to overshoot. Signs you’ve gone past comfort include frequent spit-up, arching, gassy fussing, or vomits that soak clothes. Don’t chase volume if cues say “I’m done.” Cap total formula near 32 ounces per day unless your clinician advises differently. For breast milk, let the baby call the shots, and use paced bottles when offering pumped milk.
Water And Other Drinks
Skip water, teas, and juices under 6 months. Milk—breast milk or infant formula—does the job, even on hot days. Extra water can displace calories and, in rare cases, shift electrolytes. If heat or illness raises worries, feed more often and talk with your pediatrician about your plan.
Burping, Spit-Up, And Reflux
Pause to burp midway and at the end of a feed. A little spit-up is normal. Keep your baby upright for 15–20 minutes after feeding, avoid tight diapers, and check nipple flow on bottles. If spit-up shoots with force, weight stalls, or feeds are always a battle, book a visit.
Pumping And Pace For Mixed Feeding
If you mix breast and bottle, aim for small, frequent bottles that mirror nursing: 1.5–3 ounces every 2–3 hours. Use slow-flow nipples and hold the bottle almost horizontal so your baby has to draw the milk, not gulp it. This keeps intake in line with appetite and protects supply.
Sample Day Plans
Breastfed Day
Feed on waking, then about every 2–3 hours: mid-morning, early afternoon, late afternoon, early evening, bedtime, and 1–2 night feeds. Offer both sides each time. Expect extra evening sessions during cluster windows.
Formula-Fed Day
Offer 2 ounces on waking, then 2–3 ounces every 3 hours for the first two weeks. As week 4 nears, many babies take 3–4 ounces every 3–4 hours, with one night stretch up to 4–5 hours if weight gain looks good.
Is Feeding On Track? Quick Checks
| Checkpoint | What You’ll See | What To Do |
|---|---|---|
| Wet diapers | 6+ wets after day 4; pale urine | Looks good; keep current pace |
| Stools | Breastfed: yellow, seedy; Formula: tan-brown | Very runny or hard pellets? Call your doctor |
| After-feed mood | Relaxed hands, calm body, naps | End the feed; don’t push extra ounces |
| Weight trend | Back to birth weight by 2 weeks | If not there yet, add feeds and book a check |
| Spit-up | Small dribbles | Try paced bottles, more burp breaks, upright hold |
Practical Daily Plan
- Offer a feed every 2–3 hours by day, on demand by night.
- Start with 1–2 ounces per feed in week 1; move toward 2–3 ounces in weeks 2–3, and 3–4 ounces by week 4 if baby asks.
- Keep bottles slow and paced; stop when cues say full.
- Track diapers and a weekly weight log from the same scale and time of day.
- Expect appetite bumps during growth spurts; add an extra feed rather than stretching each bottle.
Why Numbers Vary
Every newborn has a different tank size and burn rate. Birth weight, gestational age, milk transfer skill, and short growth spurts all shift intake. Room-sharing, swaddles, and sleep patterns do too. Use ranges, not rigid targets, and let your baby steer inside those ranges.
Common Questions From New Parents
What If Baby Seems Hungry Right After A Feed?
Offer more, but in small steps. Try 0.5–1 ounce as a top-up, then pause and burp. Babies sometimes want closeness more than volume; a cuddle or brief pacifier break can settle things too.
Should I Time Every Feed?
Use the clock as a light guide, not a rulebook. Length and gaps change across the day. The better compass is cues, output, and weight checks.
Do I Need Vitamin D?
Breastfed babies usually need a vitamin D supplement. Formula-fed babies often reach the target once they drink enough formula. Ask your pediatrician for the dose that fits your baby.
Can Hot Weather Change Intake?
Yes, babies often ask for more frequent feeds on warm days. Offer the breast or a small bottle more often rather than adding big bottles of water.
When Do Totals Rise Above Newborn Levels?
By 6–8 weeks, many babies take larger single feeds but still land near the same daily total. Around 3 months, some shift toward 4–5 ounces per bottle. Keep the 32-ounce ceiling in mind for formula.
Paced Bottle Feeding: Step-By-Step
- Pick a slow-flow nipple and a comfy upright hold.
- Tickle the lip, let your baby latch, then tip the bottle so the teat is only partly full.
- Let your baby draw the milk. Pause every minute or so to mimic let-downs.
- Switch sides halfway through to vary the view and slow the flow.
- Watch hands and face; stop when they relax or turn away.
- End on a calm note with a burp and a few minutes upright.
Final Notes On Daily Milk
Feed early, feed often, and watch your baby, not just the bottle marks. Keep daily totals within the common ranges for age, and cap formula near 32 ounces. Add a check-in if growth or output slide. You’ve got this. Small, steady steps beat big jumps; let your newborn set the rhythm and you handle the guardrails daily.