A 5-month-old typically drinks 5 to 7 ounces per feeding, about 6 times a day, for a daily total of roughly 24 to 32 ounces. The exact amount depends on your baby’s weight, whether they’re breastfed or formula-fed, and whether they’ve started any solid foods.
Daily Totals Based on Weight
The most reliable way to estimate your baby’s daily intake is by weight. The general guideline is about 2.5 ounces of formula per pound of body weight per day. An average 5-month-old weighs around 14 to 16 pounds, which works out to 35 to 40 ounces daily. In practice, most babies this age take in slightly less, closer to 24 to 36 ounces, because appetite naturally varies from day to day.
At 5 months, feedings space out to roughly every 4 to 6 hours. That means most babies eat about 6 times in 24 hours, taking 5 to 7 ounces per bottle. Some babies prefer smaller, more frequent feeds, while others gulp down larger amounts and go longer stretches between meals. Both patterns are normal as long as your baby is gaining weight steadily.
Breastfed vs. Formula-Fed Differences
Breastfed babies are harder to measure in ounces because you can’t see how much they’re drinking at the breast. If you’re pumping and bottle-feeding breast milk, the daily total is often a bit lower than formula, typically 19 to 30 ounces. Breast milk changes in composition as your baby grows, becoming more calorie-dense, so breastfed babies don’t necessarily need the same volume as formula-fed babies to get adequate nutrition.
If your baby is breastfed exclusively or drinks fewer than 32 ounces of formula per day, they need a vitamin D supplement. Formula is fortified with vitamin D, but only at higher daily volumes does it provide enough on its own.
How to Tell Your Baby Is Full
Watching your baby’s cues matters more than hitting an exact ounce target. A 5-month-old who has had enough will close their mouth, turn their head away from the breast or bottle, or visibly relax their hands. Earlier in a feeding, their fists are often clenched and their sucking is vigorous. When those hands open up and the sucking slows, the meal is winding down.
Pushing your baby to finish a bottle after they’ve shown these signs can lead to overfeeding and excess spit-up. If your baby consistently leaves an ounce or two behind, try preparing slightly smaller bottles to reduce waste.
Night Feedings at 5 Months
Most 5-month-olds still wake for one or two feedings overnight, though nighttime feeds start to decrease around the 6- to 7-month mark. These overnight bottles or nursing sessions count toward the daily total. If your baby is eating well during the day and gaining weight appropriately, you may notice them naturally dropping a night feed on their own over the coming weeks.
What About Solid Foods?
Some 5-month-olds show signs of readiness for solids: they can hold their head steady, sit with support, and seem interested in watching you eat. The AAP recommends exclusive breastfeeding for about 6 months, but some pediatricians give the green light closer to 4 or 5 months, especially if the baby has doubled their birth weight and weighs at least 13 pounds.
If your baby has started solids, keep in mind that those first spoonfuls of pureed food are more about practice than nutrition. Breast milk or formula remains the primary calorie source at this age. A few tablespoons of cereal or pureed vegetables won’t replace a bottle. One helpful approach is to offer a partial bottle or nurse first, then try a small amount of solid food, and finish with more milk. This keeps your baby from getting frustrated with a spoon when they’re very hungry.
Signs Your Baby Needs More (or Less)
Steady weight gain is the best indicator that your baby is getting enough. At 5 months, most babies gain about 1 to 1.25 pounds per month. Consistent wet diapers (at least 6 per day) and regular bowel movements also signal adequate intake.
A baby who seems hungry again within an hour of finishing a full bottle may be ready for slightly larger feeds. On the other hand, frequent large spit-ups, gassiness, or fussiness right after eating can signal that the volume per feeding is too high. Adjusting by an ounce in either direction and watching how your baby responds over a few days is a practical way to find the right amount.