Newborn milk needs start tiny and grow quickly: in week one most babies take about 1–2 oz (30–60 mL) per feed, with 8–12 feeds across 24 hours.
Those first days can feel like a blur. Babies eat often, and their tiny bellies fill fast. The goal isn’t a perfect number at every feed. Aim for steady growth, plenty of wet diapers, and a content baby who stops when full. The ranges below give you a practical starting point, based on trusted pediatric guidance.
Newborn Feeding Basics
Newborns wake, root, and feed a lot. That frequent rhythm builds supply for chest or breastfeeding and helps bottle-fed babies meet their needs without stretching their stomachs. Most breastfed babies feed about 8–12 times in 24 hours; you can see this guidance on the CDC breastfeeding page. Formula-fed babies often take larger, slightly less frequent bottles.
First Week: What “Enough” Looks Like
Amounts rise each day. Expect small, frequent feeds at first, then a bump as milk comes in and appetite grows. Watch your baby, not the clock: signs like steady sucking, swallowing sounds, and relaxed hands mean milk is going in. Pulls away, pushes the nipple, or falls asleep? That feed may be finished.
| Age | Typical Amount Per Feed | Feeds In 24 Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | ~0.2–0.5 oz (5–15 mL) | 8–12 |
| Days 2–3 | ~0.5–1 oz (15–30 mL) | 8–12 |
| Days 4–6 | ~1–1.5 oz (30–45 mL) | 8–12 |
| Around Day 7 | ~1–2 oz (30–60 mL) | 8–12 |
| Weeks 2–4 | ~2–3 oz (60–90 mL) | 7–10 |
Every baby is different. Some take the upper end of a range; some sip smaller amounts but want an extra feed. Responsive feeding keeps you on track: offer when you see early cues and pause when baby shows fullness cues. Burp during natural breaks and switch sides or pace the bottle to give time for satiety to register.
How Much Milk For A Newborn Per Day: Real-World Ranges
Daily totals depend on weight, feeding method, and appetite. A safe ceiling for formula in the early weeks is the classic weight guide from the American Academy of Pediatrics: about 2½ ounces (75 mL) per pound of body weight per day, with a maximum near 32 ounces in 24 hours. See the advice on the AAP formula schedule.
Formula: Simple Way To Estimate
Take your baby’s weight in pounds and multiply by 2.5 for a rough daily total in ounces. Split that across feeds. Example: a 7 lb newborn needs about 17–18 oz in 24 hours. With eight feeds, that’s just over 2 oz per bottle. If your baby wants more, offer a small top-up. If they leave a little, that’s fine.
Common Questions On Bottles
- Is there a hard cap? Try not to exceed ~32 oz (960 mL) of formula per day unless your doctor says otherwise.
- How long between bottles? Many newborns take a bottle every 2–3 hours in the day and may stretch at night.
- What if baby sleeps long? In the first weeks, wake a long sleeper after 4–5 hours so feeds aren’t missed.
Breast Milk: Follow Baby’s Lead
With direct breastfeeding, you won’t see ounces, so lean on rhythm and cues. Aim for 8–12 feeds in 24 hours in the early weeks. Offer both sides. Let baby finish the first breast, then offer the second. If you are pumping, newborn bottles often match the early-week ranges above; pace the feed so baby can pause and stop when full.
Bottle Sizes, Flow, And Pace
Use slow-flow nipples at first. Hold your baby more upright and keep the bottle more level so milk doesn’t pour fast. Let baby draw the nipple in. Stop partway for a burp, then offer more if cues are still “yes.” Paced feeding limits air intake and helps prevent overfeeding from fast flow.
Watch for fit. Too fast looks like coughing, leaking milk from the corners, or finishing far quicker than usual. Too slow looks like frustration, dozing without steady swallowing, or lots of work with little milk transfer. Change nipple sizes when your baby shows they’re ready, not by the number on a package.
Sample Weight-To-Bottle Guide (Formula)
The table uses the AAP 2.5 oz per lb rule and assumes eight feeds a day. It’s a starting point, not a rigid plan. Stop when your baby gives fullness cues, even if the bottle isn’t empty.
| Baby Weight | Daily Total (oz) | Per-Feed (8×/day) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 lb (2.3 kg) | ~13 oz | ~1.5–2 oz |
| 6 lb (2.7 kg) | ~15 oz | ~2 oz |
| 7 lb (3.2 kg) | ~17–18 oz | ~2–2.5 oz |
| 8 lb (3.6 kg) | ~20 oz | ~2.5 oz |
| 9 lb (4.1 kg) | ~22–23 oz | ~2.5–3 oz |
| 10 lb (4.5 kg) | ~25 oz | ~3 oz |
If your daily total from the weight rule tops 32 oz, use 32 oz as the ceiling unless your clinician gives different advice. Some babies like to graze; others prefer fuller bottles with longer gaps. Both patterns can work when diapers and growth look good.
Night Feeds, Spurts, And Clusters
Feeding often bunches up in the evening. Many newborns take shorter, frequent feeds for a few hours, then sleep longer later. This doesn’t mean supply is low or that bigger bottles are needed. Offer the breast or a paced bottle as needed and watch diapers and weight checks.
Wet Diapers, Poops, And Growth
Output tells a strong story. After the first few days, expect around six or more wet diapers a day and regular yellow stools. A newborn may drop a little weight after birth, then regain. Your care team will weigh your baby and plot progress. If wet diapers drop, stools stay dark, or weight stalls, call your clinic.
Practical Tips That Make Feeds Easier
Make Bottles Safely
Wash hands, use clean gear, and follow your formula label for mixing steps. Use fresh water from a safe source. Discard any milk left in the bottle after a feed. Store pumped milk in dated portions; smaller batches waste less.
Warm bottles by standing them in warm water, not a microwave. Swirl to mix, test on the inside of your wrist. Keep baby upright for minutes after feeds, and keep notes on times so patterns are easy to spot.
Special Situations
Combo Feeding
Many families use both pumped milk and formula. You can alternate feeds or top up a breastfeed with a small bottle. Keep an eye on daily totals if you give a bottle right after a full breastfeed; pace the bottle and stop at fullness cues.
Preterm Or Low Birth Weight
Preterm babies and babies who start smaller may use different volumes and schedules. Your neonatal or pediatric team will tailor a plan. If a scale is available, weighted feeds with a lactation professional can show intake from the breast.
When To Call The Doctor
Call your baby’s doctor without delay if you see fewer than four wet diapers after day four, fewer than eight feeds in 24 hours, strong vomiting after most feeds, deep yellow skin, weak suck, or very sleepy behavior that makes feeds hard. Reach out any time your gut says something isn’t right.
Key Takeaways You Can Use Today
- Offer feeds when you see early cues; expect 8–12 feeds a day in the first weeks.
- By the end of week one, many babies take about 1–2 oz a feed; volume climbs from there.
- For formula, use ~2.5 oz per lb per day as a roomy guide and cap daily total near 32 oz.
- Paced bottles, slow-flow nipples, and mid-feed burps help babies stop when full.
You’ve got this. Feed the baby in front of you, not a rigid chart. With responsive feeding and simple checks on diapers and growth, you’ll land on amounts that fit your newborn just right.