A newborn drinks very little milk at first, starting with just 1 to 2 teaspoons per feeding on the first day of life. By the end of the first week, that increases to 1 to 2 ounces per feeding, and by one month, most babies settle into 3 to 4 ounces per feeding. The rapid increase reflects how quickly a newborn’s stomach grows in those early days.
The First Week: Day by Day
A newborn’s stomach on day one is roughly the size of a cherry, holding only 5 to 7 milliliters at a time. That’s about one teaspoon. This is why those first feedings of colostrum (the thick, concentrated early breast milk) are tiny but frequent. Your baby doesn’t need large volumes yet because their stomach simply can’t hold them.
By day three, stomach capacity jumps to about 22 to 27 milliliters, roughly the size of a walnut. Feeding volumes at this point reach around 1 ounce per session. By day seven, the stomach holds 45 to 60 milliliters (1.5 to 2 ounces), and total daily intake reaches 10 to 20 ounces spread across the day. During weeks two and three, feedings climb to 2 to 3 ounces each, with a daily total of 15 to 25 ounces.
One Month and Beyond
From about four weeks through six months, most babies consume 3 to 4 ounces per feeding and 24 to 30 ounces total per day. What surprises many parents is that this daily total stays relatively stable for months. A two-month-old and a five-month-old typically drink roughly the same total volume in 24 hours. The difference is that older babies take larger, less frequent feedings while younger babies eat smaller amounts more often.
A useful rule of thumb for formula-fed babies: plan for about 2.5 ounces of formula per day for every pound of body weight. So a 9-pound baby would need roughly 22.5 ounces over 24 hours. This calculation works well as a baseline, though individual babies vary.
Breastfed vs. Formula-Fed Intake
Breastfed newborns eat more frequently than formula-fed newborns. Breast milk digests faster, so breastfed babies typically feed 8 to 12 times in 24 hours during the first couple of months. Formula-fed babies eat slightly less often, around 6 to 10 times per day, because formula takes longer to move through the digestive system.
The per-feeding volume can look different too. A breastfed baby may take slightly less at each session but make up for it with more frequent feedings. The total daily intake ends up in a similar range for both groups by the time a baby is a few weeks old. If you’re breastfeeding directly, you won’t know exact ounces, which is perfectly normal. Diaper output and weight gain are more reliable indicators than trying to measure volume at the breast.
How to Tell Your Baby Is Getting Enough
Since you can’t measure what a breastfed baby drinks, and even bottle-fed babies vary from one feeding to the next, watching your baby’s output is the most practical way to gauge intake. After day five, your newborn should produce at least six wet diapers per day. Fewer than that can signal insufficient intake.
Weight gain is the other key metric. Your pediatrician will track this at checkups, but in general, babies lose a small amount of weight in the first few days and then regain their birth weight by about 10 to 14 days. Steady weight gain after that point is the clearest sign that feeding volumes are on track.
Recognizing When Your Baby Is Full
Newborns are surprisingly good at regulating their own intake when you follow their lead. Signs that your baby has had enough include closing their mouth, turning their head away from the breast or bottle, and relaxing their hands. Clenched fists during feeding often signal hunger or active eating, so open, relaxed hands are a reliable cue that the feeding is winding down.
Resist the urge to push a baby to finish a bottle. Overfeeding can cause discomfort, spitting up, and over time can override a baby’s natural ability to recognize fullness. If your baby consistently takes less than expected but is gaining weight well and producing enough wet diapers, they’re likely getting exactly what they need.
Quick Reference by Age
- Day 1: 2 to 10 milliliters per feeding (under half an ounce)
- Day 3: about 1 ounce per feeding
- Day 7: 1 to 2 ounces per feeding, 10 to 20 ounces per day
- Weeks 2 to 3: 2 to 3 ounces per feeding, 15 to 25 ounces per day
- 1 to 6 months: 3 to 4 ounces per feeding, 24 to 30 ounces per day
These ranges are averages. Some babies run on the lower end and thrive, while others consistently eat more. The numbers serve as a starting point, not a strict target. Your baby’s growth curve and diaper count tell you more than any chart.