A one-week-old baby typically drinks 1 to 2 ounces of milk per feeding, eating 8 to 12 times over a 24-hour period. That works out to roughly 12 to 24 ounces total per day, though the exact amount varies from baby to baby. The key at this age is feeding frequently in small amounts rather than trying to get larger volumes into fewer sessions.
Why Feedings Are So Small and Frequent
A newborn’s stomach is tiny. At birth, it holds only about 1 to 2 teaspoons. By day 10, it grows to roughly the size of a ping-pong ball, holding around 2 ounces. That rapid but still limited growth explains why a week-old baby needs to eat every 2 to 3 hours: there simply isn’t room for more milk at once.
This means you’ll likely be feeding your baby 8 to 12 times in a 24-hour stretch, including overnight. Some babies cluster their feedings closer together during certain parts of the day, then sleep a slightly longer stretch. That’s normal as long as the overall number of feedings stays in range.
Formula-Fed vs. Breastfed Babies
If your baby is exclusively formula-fed, the CDC recommends starting with 1 to 2 ounces per feeding every 2 to 3 hours. You can measure what goes in, which makes tracking straightforward. Most formula-fed newborns settle into a fairly predictable rhythm by the end of the first week.
Breastfed babies feed on a slightly wider schedule, typically every 2 to 4 hours. You can’t measure ounces at the breast, so the focus shifts to feeding cues and output (more on that below). Breastfed babies also tend to feed more frequently than formula-fed babies because breast milk digests faster. If your baby wants to nurse 12 times a day at one week old, that’s completely within the normal range and actually helps establish your milk supply.
How to Tell Your Baby Is Hungry
Rather than watching the clock, watch your baby. Hunger cues at this age include putting hands to the mouth, turning toward the breast or bottle (called rooting), smacking or licking lips, and clenching fists. These are early signals, and feeding is easiest when you catch them at this stage.
Crying is a late hunger cue. A baby who is already crying from hunger may have a harder time latching or settling into a feeding. If you notice the earlier signs and respond, feedings tend to go more smoothly for both of you.
Signs Your Baby Is Full
Babies give physical signals when they’ve had enough. At one week old, those include slowing or stopping sucking, turning the head away from the nipple, relaxing and extending their fingers (instead of clenching), arching away, or simply falling asleep at the breast or bottle. No single sign on its own is definitive. Babies tend to use several of these cues together, so look for a cluster of signals rather than relying on just one.
If your baby consistently finishes a 2-ounce bottle and still seems hungry (rooting, fussing, sucking on hands), it’s fine to offer a little more. Conversely, if they regularly leave half an ounce, they may need slightly less per feeding and slightly more frequent sessions. Let the baby lead.
How to Know Your Baby Is Getting Enough
Since you can’t peek inside a newborn’s stomach, diaper output is the most reliable daily indicator. After day 5, your baby should produce at least 6 wet diapers per day. The number of soiled diapers varies, but you should be seeing them regularly in the first weeks.
Weight is the other major marker. It’s normal for newborns to lose up to 7% of their birth weight in the first few days. Most babies stop losing weight by day 4 or 5 and regain their birth weight by around day 10. Your pediatrician will check weight at the first office visit, which typically happens within a few days of leaving the hospital. If your baby has lost more than 7 to 10% of birth weight by that visit, the doctor may suggest adjustments to your feeding plan.
What Changes Over the Coming Weeks
Feeding volumes increase quickly. By two weeks, many babies are taking 2 to 3 ounces per feeding. By one month, 3 to 4 ounces is common. The number of daily feedings gradually decreases as the stomach grows and each feeding becomes more efficient. For now, at one week, the pattern of small, frequent meals is exactly what your baby’s body is designed for.
Growth spurts can temporarily throw off any pattern you’ve noticed. During a spurt, your baby may want to eat more often for a day or two before settling back down. This is normal and, for breastfed babies, helps signal your body to increase milk production to match growing demand.