A one-week-old baby typically eats 1 to 2 ounces per feeding, whether breast milk or formula. That small amount surprises many new parents, but it matches the size of a newborn’s stomach, which at 7 to 10 days old holds only about 2 to 3 ounces (60 to 85 ml), roughly the size of a walnut.
How Much Per Feeding
During the first week, each feeding should be no more than about 1 to 2 ounces. Your baby’s stomach is remarkably small at birth, holding just 5 to 7 ml (barely a teaspoon). By days 3 to 5 it grows to about 22 to 27 ml, and by days 10 to 12 it reaches 60 to 85 ml. The gradual increase in stomach capacity is why feeding amounts rise slowly rather than jumping to larger volumes right away.
For formula-fed babies, a useful guideline is 2.5 ounces of formula per day for every pound of body weight. A 7-pound newborn, for example, would need roughly 17.5 ounces spread across the full day. Divided over 8 to 12 feedings, that works out to about 1.5 to 2 ounces per bottle, which lines up with the general recommendation.
How Often to Feed
Expect to feed your one-week-old 8 to 12 times in a 24-hour period, or roughly every 1 to 3 hours. Breastfed babies tend to eat on the higher end of that range because breast milk digests faster than formula. Formula-fed babies sometimes go slightly longer between feedings, closer to every 2.5 to 3 hours, but the total number of feedings in a day is similar.
Each breastfeeding session typically lasts 20 to 45 minutes. That wide range is normal. Some babies are efficient nursers and finish quickly; others take their time, especially in the first week while both of you are learning.
Cluster Feeding in the First Week
Don’t be alarmed if your baby suddenly wants to eat every hour for several hours in a row. This pattern, called cluster feeding, starts from day one and is common around the clock during the first few days of life. Your baby might nurse, doze for 30 minutes, then want to nurse again.
By the end of the first week, round-the-clock cluster feeding should start to ease up. If your baby is older than one week and still cluster feeding 24 hours a day, it could mean they’re not getting enough milk at each session, and it’s worth having your pediatrician take a look.
Breastfeeding vs. Formula Amounts
If you’re breastfeeding, you can’t measure ounces the way you can with a bottle, which can feel stressful. Instead of counting volume, count feedings and watch for signs that your baby is satisfied afterward. Breastfed newborns regulate their own intake at the breast, so following their lead on when to start and stop is the most reliable approach.
With formula, the measurable amounts make it tempting to push your baby to finish a bottle. Resist that urge. A baby who turns away, closes their mouth, or relaxes their hands is full, even if there’s still half an ounce left. Overfeeding can cause spit-up and discomfort because that tiny stomach simply can’t hold more than it’s ready for.
How to Tell Your Baby Is Getting Enough
Since you can’t peek inside your baby’s stomach, diapers are your best feedback tool. After day 5, a well-fed newborn should produce at least 6 wet diapers per day. The number of dirty diapers varies more, but you should see at least a few in a 24-hour period during the first weeks.
Weight is the other key indicator. It’s normal for newborns to lose up to 10% of their birth weight in the first week, mostly from fluid loss. A baby born at 7 pounds 8 ounces might drop to around 6 pounds 12 ounces. Healthy babies regain that weight quickly, typically returning to their birth weight by about 10 to 14 days old. Your pediatrician will check weight at the first few visits to make sure this trajectory is on track.
Reading Your Baby’s Hunger Cues
Crying is actually a late sign of hunger. Well before that point, your baby will give you earlier signals: putting hands to their mouth, turning their head toward your breast or the bottle (called rooting), puckering or licking their lips, or clenching their fists. Catching these cues early makes feedings calmer for both of you, since a frantic, crying baby can have a harder time latching or settling into a bottle.
Fullness cues are just as important. When your baby closes their mouth, turns away from the breast or bottle, or visibly relaxes their hands, the feeding is done. These signals are more reliable than any chart or ounce target, because every baby’s appetite varies slightly from one feeding to the next.