Newborn intake starts small—about 5–15 mL per feed on day one—and rises toward 30–60 mL by the end of week one.
Newborn feeding changes fast. Intake grows across the first days, then climbs more slowly. Ranges are wide from baby to baby, and that is normal. What you track is simple: steady weight gain, plenty of wet diapers, and feeds offered when your baby asks.
Newborn Milk Intake In ML By Age
Use these ballparks as a guide, not a quota. Follow hunger and fullness cues first.
| Age | Approx mL Per Feed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 5–15 mL | Tiny stomach; frequent, short feeds are common. |
| Day 2 | 5–15 mL | Colostrum still present; expect many feeds. |
| Days 3–4 | 15–30 mL | Milk volume rises; diapers pick up. |
| Days 5–7 | 30–60 mL | Many babies take this range per feed. |
| Week 2–3 | 45–75 mL | Some sessions run bigger; others remain small. |
| By 1 month | 90–120 mL | Typical bottle size; feed every 3–4 hours if using formula. |
Why The Numbers Change Fast
At birth, the stomach holds little. Each day, capacity expands, so the same baby who sips teaspoons on day one can handle ounces a few days later. Cluster feeding helps build supply and meet need. You may see back-to-back sessions in the evening.
Breastfed Vs Formula-Fed: What Changes
Direct breastfeeding is harder to measure, so you’ll rely on cues and diaper counts. Many newborns nurse 8–12 times in 24 hours. With bottles, it’s easy to see volumes, yet babies still need room to pause and stop. Respect the turn-away, relaxed hands, or sleepy release.
Feeding On Cue, Not The Clock
Offer the breast or bottle when you see rooting, lip smacking, or hands-to-mouth. Night feeds matter too. Frequent feeds protect milk supply and keep energy up. See the CDC guidance on feeding frequency and cues for a clear list of early and late hunger signs.
When Using Bottles
Small, paced feeds reduce spit-up and help avoid overfeeding. In week one, many babies take 30–60 mL per feed, then work up to 90–120 mL by about one month. For formula, most babies stay under about 960 mL across 24 hours and feed every 3–4 hours by the end of the first month. Those figures come from the American Academy of Pediatrics; see the AAP’s page on amount and schedule of formula feeds.
Safe Upper And Lower Limits
Too little milk can show up as scant wet diapers, lethargy, or weight loss beyond the early, brief dip after birth. Too much often looks like large spit-ups, gassiness, or fast weight gain. Seek help promptly if something feels off, and keep a log of feeds and diapers to share.
Signs Baby Wants More
Hungry: wakes and roots, brings hands to mouth, turns head, opens wide. Full: slows, relaxes, turns away, hands open, lets go of the nipple. Learn your baby’s pattern; it sharpens every week.
Sample Day: First Two Weeks
Day 1–2: tiny, frequent feeds all day and night. Hand-express a few drops onto the nipple to start the latch. Skin-to-skin can spark feeding cues. Day 3–4: milk volume rises, diapers pick up, and you may hear swallowing. Day 5–7: feeds are still often, with a few longer stretches.
Expect variability. Growth spurts can bunch feeds together. A calm day can follow a very busy evening. If diapers and weight look steady, your pattern is working.
How Often Should A Newborn Eat In 24 Hours?
Most newborns take 8–12 feeds across a day. That can look like a feed every 2–3 hours, with one or two closer clusters. A sleepy baby may need gentle waking for feeds until weight is steady and your clinician says overnight stretches are fine.
Late hunger signs—crying hard or a rigid body—make latching tough. Step in when you see the early cues. Bring baby to your chest or offer the bottle before distress takes over.
Bottle Sizes Through The First Month
Week one bottles tend to be small. Think 30–60 mL, with room for pauses. Weeks two and three often land near 45–75 mL. By about one month, many babies are happy with 90–120 mL at a time. Your baby may prefer several smaller bottles instead of fewer large ones—and that is fine.
Let the last sips be the baby’s choice. If you tip the bottle to coax more, you’ll miss the stop signals. A relaxed face, open hands, and milk left in the bottle are clear signs that the meal is done.
Cue Cheat Sheet
Early cues: stirring, rooting, lip smacking, hands-to-mouth, soft coos. Active cues: fussing, head bobbing, seeking. Late cues: crying hard, stiff body. Feed before the late stage when you can.
How To Tell Intake Is Enough
Track diapers and growth. By day 5, wet diapers usually reach at least six each day. Stools shift from dark meconium to mustard-yellow, loose stools for most breastfed babies; formula-fed babies may have a thicker look. Your clinician will watch weight at follow-ups. A gain of about 150–200 g per week in the first months is a common range, yet your team will read the full picture.
How To Track Feeds Without Stress
Pick one simple method: a phone note, a paper log, or an app. Note start time and side for nursing, or volume for bottles. Add a quick tally of wet and dirty diapers. Bring the log to visits, then drop it once feeds feel easy.
Special Situations
Preterm or low birth weight: feeding plans can differ; follow your neonatal team’s volumes and timing. Jaundice: extra feeds help clear bilirubin; wake for feeds until levels drop. Tongue-tie or latch pain: early lactation help protects supply and comfort. Pumped milk: label date and time, and store safely following your local guidance.
Formula Per Day By Weight (Quick Math)
A simple rule for full-term babies on formula is 75 mL per pound of body weight per day, without going past about 960 mL in 24 hours. The table shows examples. Bottles can be spaced many ways; your baby may split the total differently.
| Baby Weight | Approx Formula Per 24h | Example Plan |
|---|---|---|
| 2.7 kg (6 lb) | ~450 mL | 8 feeds × 55–60 mL |
| 3.6 kg (8 lb) | ~600 mL | 8 feeds × 70–80 mL |
| 4.5 kg (10 lb) | ~750 mL | 7 feeds × 100–110 mL |
| 5.4 kg (12 lb) | ~900 mL | 6 feeds × 140–150 mL |
Practical Tips That Keep Feeds Smooth
Position And Latch
Hold baby close, tummy-to-tummy. Aim the nipple toward the nose, wait for a wide mouth, then bring baby in chin first. If latch hurts after the first moments, break the seal and try again.
Paced Bottle Technique
Hold the bottle horizontal. Let baby draw the milk, and take breaks every minute or two. Switch sides midway to mimic the breast. These steps support self-regulation and reduce air swallowing.
Share the same paced steps with partners and caregivers so feeds stay consistent. A steady approach keeps volumes sensible and helps babies trust their own stop signals.
Burping And Comfort
Pause during and after feeds for a gentle burp. Keep the torso upright for a short while. If spit-up is frequent, try smaller, more frequent volumes and extra pauses.
What Bottles And Nipples Do
Newborns usually do best with slow-flow nipples. A steady, gentle stream allows time to pause. If the bottle drains fast or baby coughs, move to a slower flow.
Room Temperature And Warming
Most babies take milk at room temperature. If you warm a bottle, swirl, test a drop on your wrist, and avoid microwaves. When breastmilk separates, a gentle swirl brings the fat back in. Discard leftover milk from a feed to keep things safe.
Diapers: Your Built-In Gauge
By day 5, many babies make at least six wet diapers in 24 hours, with regular stools. Pale yellow pee reassures. Dark urine or brick-colored crystals call for attention. Stool patterns vary; very infrequent, hard stools in a young infant deserve a call.
Night Feeds And Sleep
Night feeds are expected. Some babies rouse every two to three hours; others give one longer stretch. Feed, burp, and keep lights low. Safe sleep still applies: baby on the back, firm surface, no soft items.
Growth Spurts And Cluster Feeding
Brief bursts of hungrier days can pop up around week one and week three. You might see near-back-to-back sessions, then a return to the usual rhythm. Offer more when asked; supply adjusts to demand.
Common Questions, Plain Answers
“My Baby Spits Up After Every Feed.”
Try smaller, more frequent volumes and extra burp breaks. Keep the torso upright for a short while after feeds. If vomiting is forceful, green, or paired with poor weight gain, call your clinician.
“My Newborn Sleeps Through Feeds.”
In the first weeks, wake for feeds at least every three to four hours while weight is still being established. Strip to the diaper, change the diaper, or try skin-to-skin to prompt alertness.
“The Bottle Seems Too Fast.”
Drop one nipple size and pace. Tip the bottle only enough to keep the nipple half-full. Watch for a relaxed jaw and steady, unhurried swallows.
When To Call Your Clinician
Call the urgent line for fewer than three wet diapers in 24 hours after day 4, very hard-to-wake behavior, persistent vomiting, or signs of dehydration like a dry mouth or no tears. For ongoing latch pain, poor weight gain, tongue-tie concerns, or any feeding worry, book a prompt visit or see a lactation specialist.
Key Takeaway For New Parents
Use the mL ranges as a compass, not a contract. Watch your baby, protect those night feeds, and keep bottles slow and paced. If diapers and growth look steady—and your baby stops when satisfied—you’re on the right track. Trust the cues you see each day, calmly.