Newborns start small, taking just 1 to 2 ounces (30 to 60 ml) per feeding in the first week of life. That amount climbs steadily, reaching 3 to 4 ounces per feeding by the end of the first month, for a daily total of roughly 32 ounces. The exact volume depends on your baby’s size, age in days, and whether they’re breastfed or formula-fed.
Why the First Feeds Are So Tiny
A newborn’s stomach on day one is about the size of a marble, holding only 5 to 7 ml per feeding. That’s barely more than a teaspoon. By day three, it stretches to the size of a ping-pong ball and can hold around 22 to 27 ml (roughly an ounce). By day ten, the stomach is closer to the size of a large egg and fits 2 to 2¾ ounces per feeding.
This rapid growth explains why feeding amounts change so quickly in the early days. A baby who seems to want almost nothing on the first day isn’t undereating. Their stomach simply can’t hold more yet. Colostrum, the thick early breast milk produced in the first few days, is delivered in tiny but nutrient-dense amounts that match this small capacity perfectly.
Feeding Volumes Week by Week
Here’s a general guide to how intake increases over the first month:
- Days 1 to 3: 1 to 2 teaspoons per feeding, gradually increasing to about 1 ounce.
- Days 3 to 7: About 1 to 2 ounces (30 to 60 ml) per feeding.
- Days 7 to 14: Around 2 to 3 ounces per feeding as the stomach continues to expand.
- Weeks 3 to 4: 3 to 4 ounces (90 to 120 ml) per feeding, totaling up to 32 ounces in 24 hours.
A useful rule of thumb for formula-fed babies: your baby needs about 2½ ounces of formula per day for every pound of body weight. So an 8-pound baby would take roughly 20 ounces spread across the day. The upper limit is generally around 32 ounces in 24 hours.
Breastfed vs. Formula-Fed Frequency
Breastfed newborns eat more often than formula-fed babies because breast milk digests faster. In the first two months, breastfed babies typically feed every two to three hours, adding up to 8 to 12 feedings in a 24-hour period. Formula-fed babies eat a bit less frequently, around 6 to 10 times per day, because formula takes longer to break down.
With breastfeeding, you won’t know the exact number of ounces your baby takes at each session, and that’s normal. Instead of measuring volume, you track whether your baby is getting enough by other signs (more on that below). Formula-fed babies are easier to measure since the bottle shows exactly how much was consumed.
Cluster Feeding and Uneven Schedules
Don’t expect feedings to be evenly spaced throughout the day. Many newborns go through cluster feeding, especially in the evening, where they want to nurse every 30 minutes to an hour for several hours straight. This is normal and doesn’t mean your milk supply is low. Babies often cluster feed during growth spurts or when they need extra comfort.
After a cluster feeding session, your baby may sleep for a longer stretch. The pattern can feel exhausting in the moment, but it typically settles down within a few weeks as your baby’s stomach grows and feeding becomes more efficient.
How to Tell Your Baby Is Getting Enough
Since you can’t measure what a breastfed baby drinks, diapers are your best daily indicator. After day five, your newborn should produce at least six wet diapers per day. Fewer than that may signal they’re not getting enough milk. Weight gain is the other reliable measure: in the first few months, babies gain about 1 ounce (28 grams) per day on average. Your pediatrician will track this at each visit.
Learning your baby’s hunger and fullness cues helps you feed the right amount without overfeeding or underfeeding. Early hunger signs include putting hands to their mouth, turning their head toward the breast or bottle, and smacking or licking their lips. Clenched fists are another signal. Crying is actually a late hunger cue, so try to catch the earlier signs when your baby is still calm and ready to latch.
When your baby is full, they’ll close their mouth, turn away from the breast or bottle, and visibly relax their hands. Respect these signals rather than pushing them to finish a set number of ounces.
Getting Formula Amounts Right
If you’re formula feeding, always follow the mixing instructions on the label exactly. Adding too much water dilutes the formula and deprives your baby of calories and nutrients, which can slow growth over time. Adding too little water concentrates the formula and can cause dehydration. Neither is safe, so measure carefully with every bottle.
It’s also common for newborns to leave a little formula in the bottle, especially in the first couple of weeks. Offer the amount your baby typically takes, and let them stop when they show fullness cues. You can always make a smaller bottle and offer more if they’re still hungry, which also reduces waste since any formula left in a bottle after a feeding should be discarded.
When Intake Levels Off
Feeding volumes rise quickly in the first month but don’t keep climbing indefinitely. Most babies plateau at around 32 ounces of formula per day and stay near that level until solid foods enter the picture around six months. Breastfed babies similarly stabilize their intake, though the composition of breast milk shifts over time to meet changing nutritional needs even when the volume stays roughly the same.
Every baby’s appetite varies from day to day. One day your newborn might seem ravenous, and the next they may eat slightly less. What matters is the overall trend: steady weight gain, plenty of wet diapers, and a baby who seems satisfied after feedings.