A newborn drinks surprisingly little breastmilk at first, starting with just 1 to 2 teaspoons per feeding on day one and gradually increasing to about 2 to 3 ounces per feeding by the end of the first month. The amounts change quickly because a newborn’s stomach grows rapidly in the first two weeks of life, and understanding what’s normal at each stage can save a lot of unnecessary worry.
The First Three Days: Colostrum Stage
Your breasts produce colostrum before your milk fully comes in, and the volume is tiny by design. A one-day-old baby takes in only about 2 to 10 milliliters per feeding, which is roughly half a teaspoon to two teaspoons. That sounds impossibly small, but a newborn’s stomach on day one holds just 5 to 7 milliliters, about the size of a cherry. There’s simply no room for more.
By day two or three, your baby takes in around 15 to 30 milliliters (about half an ounce to one ounce) per feeding. Their stomach has already grown to hold 22 to 27 milliliters, roughly the size of a walnut. During these early days, your baby will want to nurse frequently, often 10 to 12 times in 24 hours. Those short, frequent sessions are doing two important things: giving your baby the concentrated nutrition in colostrum and signaling your body to ramp up milk production.
Week One: Milk Comes In
Most parents notice their milk transition from colostrum to mature milk between days two and five. The volume per feeding jumps noticeably. By the end of the first week, a baby’s stomach holds about 45 to 60 milliliters, or 1.5 to 2 ounces. That’s the approximate amount your baby will take at each feeding session.
Feeding frequency stays high during this period. The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that breastfed newborns typically nurse every two hours, measured from the start of one feeding to the start of the next, totaling 10 to 12 sessions in 24 hours. If you’re bottle-feeding expressed breastmilk, eight feedings per 24 hours is generally the recommended minimum. At 1.5 to 2 ounces per session across 10 to 12 feedings, a one-week-old is consuming roughly 15 to 24 ounces of breastmilk per day.
Two Weeks to One Month
After the first two weeks, feeding volumes continue to climb. Most babies settle into taking 2 to 3 ounces per feeding, and feeding frequency gradually shifts to every two to three hours, or about eight to twelve times per day. By four to five weeks, babies typically consume 700 to 900 milliliters per day, which works out to roughly 24 to 30 ounces.
One thing that surprises many parents: breastmilk intake plateaus after the first month and stays relatively stable. Babies between one and six months who are exclusively breastfed average about 750 milliliters (25 ounces) per day. Instead of drinking more milk as they grow, the composition of breastmilk shifts to meet their changing nutritional needs. This is different from formula-fed babies, who tend to increase their volume over time.
Weight Loss in the First Week Is Normal
Nearly all newborns lose weight in the first few days, and this is expected even when feeding is going well. Healthy, full-term, breastfed newborns commonly lose 7 to 8 percent of their birth weight by day three. Some lose 10 percent or more. For a baby born at 7.5 pounds, that’s roughly half a pound to three-quarters of a pound.
Most breastfed babies regain their birth weight by 10 to 14 days. Your baby’s pediatrician will track this closely at early checkups. If weight loss exceeds 10 percent or your baby hasn’t returned to birth weight by two weeks, that’s a signal to evaluate whether feedings are effective and whether your baby is transferring enough milk.
How to Tell Your Baby Is Getting Enough
Because you can’t measure ounces directly at the breast, diaper output is the most reliable day-to-day indicator of adequate intake. In the first few days, expect at least one wet diaper per day of life (one on day one, two on day two, and so on). After day five, your newborn should produce at least six wet diapers per day, and the number of soiled diapers will vary but should be frequent.
Other signs that feeding is going well include hearing your baby swallow during nursing, seeing your baby appear relaxed and satisfied after feeds, and noticing that your breasts feel softer after a feeding than before. Steady weight gain after the initial dip is the clearest confirmation that your baby is drinking enough.
Quick Reference by Age
- Day 1: 0.5 to 2 teaspoons per feeding, 10 to 12 feedings per day
- Days 2 to 3: 0.5 to 1 ounce per feeding, 10 to 12 feedings per day
- One week: 1.5 to 2 ounces per feeding, 10 to 12 feedings per day
- Two to four weeks: 2 to 3 ounces per feeding, 8 to 12 feedings per day
- One to six months: About 25 ounces total per day, spread across 8 to 10 feedings
These are averages. Some babies consistently take a little less per feeding but nurse more often, while others take slightly more and space feedings further apart. Both patterns are normal as long as your baby is gaining weight steadily and producing enough wet diapers.