Most newborns start with 5–10 mL in the first hours, build to about 30–60 mL by day 3–4, and reach 60–90 mL per feed by week 2–3 across 8–12 feeds daily.
Milliliters make the early days feel measurable. Bottles have lines. Breasts do not. That gap creates guesswork. This guide turns ranges from trusted health sources into plain numbers you can use right now. You’ll see typical mL per feed, how many feeds in 24 hours, and ways to read your baby’s cues so you can relax between feeds.
How Much Newborn Feed mL By Day And Week
Amounts rise fast in the first week, then settle. Your baby’s appetite, birth weight, and timing of milk “coming in” shift the exact figure, yet the ranges below match what most families see. Use them as a starting point and let cues lead the pace.
| Age | Typical mL Per Feed | Feeds In 24 Hours |
|---|---|---|
| First 6–12 hours | 5–10 mL | Early, frequent skin-to-skin; offer often |
| Day 1 | 5–7 mL | 10–12+ |
| Day 2 | 5–15 mL | 8–12 |
| Day 3 | 15–30 mL | 8–12 |
| Day 4 | 30–45 mL | 8–12 |
| Days 5–7 | 45–60 mL | 8–12 |
| Weeks 2–3 | 60–90 mL | 8–12, then spacing begins |
These figures reflect tummy size and the switch from small volumes of colostrum to mature milk or full bottles. If baby shows hunger soon after a feed, offer more. If baby turns away, slows, or seems sleepy and content, pause and burp.
Understanding Tummy Capacity
Newborn stomachs are tiny. On day 1 they hold only a few teaspoons. By the end of week 1 the capacity has about doubled from mid-week. That rise matches the shift from teaspoons of colostrum to larger let-downs or fuller bottles. This is why the jump from 10 mL to 45–60 mL per feed during week 1 feels dramatic but normal.
Breastfeeding parents often worry they can’t “see” mL. Diaper counts help. Expect one wet diaper on day 1, two on day 2, a steady climb through day 4, and six or more wet diapers each day from day 5 onward. Stools change from tarry meconium to mustard-yellow by the end of the first week. Output trends pair with steady weight gain to show intake is on track.
Breastfeeding mL: Reading Intake Without Measuring
You feed on cue, not by the clock. Aim for about 8–12 feeds in 24 hours in the early weeks. A deep latch, frequent swallowing, and relaxed hands are green lights. Fussing at the breast, weak sucks, or long sleepy stretches with few swallows call for a wake-and-offer approach. Switch sides when swallowing slows. If needed, hand express a few drops to start flow, then latch again.
What do these behaviors mean in mL terms? Early on, a good feed may be 10–30 mL. By day 4, many feeds land near 30–60 mL. By weeks 2–3, common sessions reach 60–90 mL. The total across a day often sits near 450–750 mL in the first month, spread across many short sessions. Your baby may cluster feed at night and sip in the morning. Both patterns fit the range.
Formula mL: Simple Ways To Size A Bottle
If using infant formula, you can pour and track exact amounts. Early bottles start small: 10–30 mL in the first days, rising to 60–90 mL per feed by weeks 2–3. In the first month many babies take 90–120 mL per feed by the end of the month. Most bottle-fed babies eat every 3–4 hours once feeds stretch out. Offer on cue and let breaks and burps guide the stop point. For a clean daily cap and weight-based math, the American Academy of Pediatrics explains the 2½ ounces per pound guide and a daily ceiling near 32 ounces (about 950 mL) on its HealthyChildren page.
A quick body-weight rule also helps: about 75 mL per kilogram of body weight per day in the early months, with a usual ceiling near 950 mL in 24 hours. Babies self-regulate well. If your baby slows, seals lips, or turns away, the meal is done. Avoid “topping up” past comfort just to meet a number.
Hunger And Fullness Cues You Can Trust
Watch your baby, not the clock. Early cues include stirring, hand-to-mouth, rooting, soft whimpers, and bright eyes. Late cues include hard crying and a stiff body, which can make latching tough. Pause to calm, then feed. Fullness cues include slower sucks, open hands, relaxed limbs, milk in the mouth, and turning away. Track these signals for a day or two and patterns start to pop.
Night Feeds, Day Feeds, And Clusters
Many newborns stack feeds during one stretch of the day. Evenings are common. Clusters can look like several 30–60 mL feeds packed into two hours, then a longer sleep. Offer both breasts in a session or split bottles into smaller portions with burps between. Response feeding lowers air intake and fussiness.
Burping And Pace: Small Moves That Change mL
Trapped air takes up space. Build in gentle burps when the bottle shows a drop in flow or when swallowing slows at the breast. Try the shoulder hold, the seated tilt, or tummy-down across your forearm. With bottles, hold the bottle level and tip only enough to cover the nipple. This slows the stream and gives your baby control over the pause-and-start rhythm.
When The Numbers Look Low
Look at the whole picture. Is the latch deep? Are there at least six wet diapers after day 5? Is weight trending up on the growth chart? Short feeds can still deliver solid mL if the milk flows well. If you are topping up, try smaller top-ups first, keep baby at the breast to build supply, and use paced bottle feeding to protect appetite control.
When The Numbers Look High
Spit-up, gassy fuss, and hiccups can follow rapid feeds and large volumes. Try smaller, more frequent portions for a day. With bottles, use a slow-flow nipple and pause for mid-feed burps. With breasts, offer one side per feed until baby unlatches, then offer the second only if cues continue.
Safe Prep And Storage For Bottles
Clean hands, clean gear, and safe water keep feeds on track. Mix powdered formula exactly as directed on the label. Level the scoop, do not pack it, and avoid adding extra water. If warming, use a cup of warm water or a bottle warmer, not a microwave. Store prepared formula in the fridge within two hours and use within 24 hours. Discard any leftover formula in a bottle after a feed. Full prep and storage steps are listed on the CDC formula prep page.
Handy Benchmarks After Week One
Once you pass the first week, the day feels steadier. Many babies take 60–90 mL per feed during weeks 2–3, rising toward 90–120 mL by the end of the first month. Feeds begin to space from every two hours to every three or four hours for bottle-fed babies, while breastfed babies often keep shorter, more frequent sessions. Both paths can meet the same daily total.
| Age Range | Common mL Per Feed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 2–3 | 60–90 mL | 8–12 feeds; clusters common |
| Week 4 | 90–120 mL | Bottle spacing to 3–4 hours |
| Weeks 5–8 | 90–120 mL | Daily total often 550–800 mL |
How To Tweak Feeds Without Stress
Make one change at a time and watch the next day. You can shift volume by 10–15 mL per feed, adjust intervals by 15–30 minutes, or add a mid-feed burp. Small moves show clear cause and effect. Keep a simple log for two days, then drop it once patterns settle.
Pumping, Top-Ups, And Measuring mL
Pumped milk helps when you want numbers, rest, or shared care. Freshly expressed milk can sit at room temperature for a short window, chill in the fridge for up to four days, and freeze for longer storage. Warm chilled milk gently and swirl to mix the fat. Use the oldest milk first. Label bottles with date and mL to spot trends without doing math at 3 a.m.
Signs Your Baby Is Ready For A Bigger Feed
Finishing feeds fast, steady weight gain, more than eight feeds that feel short, and strong cues soon after burping all point toward a small bump in mL. Start by adding 10 mL to two daytime feeds. If cues settle and naps lengthen, keep the change. If spit-up increases, step back to the prior level.
What About Daily Maximums?
Across the first months, many babies land below 950 mL per day. A cap near that level helps avoid chronic overfills. If a growth spurt hits, appetite can surge for several days. Offer more often rather than pushing a single large bottle.
Simple Bottle Math You’ll Use Often
Pick a target daily total and divide by feeds. Example: a 3.6 kg baby using the 75 mL per kg guide would take around 270 mL in 24 hours early on. Split into ten feeds and each feed is about 25–30 mL. At four weeks, if daily intake sits near 600 mL and you’re doing eight feeds, bottles of 75 mL fit well. Adjust up or down by 10–15 mL while watching cues.
Red Flags That Need Prompt Care
No wet diapers for eight hours, listless behavior, a dry mouth, or repeated forceful vomiting need fast attention. A baby who cannot stay awake to feed or has fewer wet diapers than the day-by-day guide also needs a same-day plan. Trust your gut and seek help quickly.