how much milk does a newborn drink
Newborns usually drink very small amounts very often in the first days, then gradually increase over the first month.
Quick Scoop
- In the first 24 hours , many babies only take a teaspoon or so per feed (just a few milliliters), especially if breastfeeding with colostrum.
- By the end of the first week , most babies take around 30–60 ml (1–2 oz) per feed every 2–3 hours (about 8–12 feeds per day).
- Over the first month , many newborns average roughly 450–700 ml per day (15–24 oz) total, whether by breast milk or formula, but there’s a wide normal range.
- Formula-fed newborns often take 1.5–3 oz (45–90 ml) every 2–3 hours at first, then a bit more as they grow.
Tiny stomach, fast changes
A newborn’s stomach starts very small and expands quickly over the first week, which is why feeds are small but frequent at first. By the end of the first week many babies can handle around 30–60 ml (1–2 oz) per feed, and this typically increases to 90–120 ml (3–4 oz) per feed by 1–2 months.
Simple rule of thumb
Some pediatric sources suggest roughly 150 ml of milk per kilogram of body weight per day as a ballpark starting point for young babies, then adjusting based on baby’s cues and growth. For example, a 3.5 kg baby might take around 500–525 ml per day , spread over many feeds, but some will comfortably take more or less and still be healthy.
The key is not to chase a “perfect” number, but to watch wet diapers, weight gain, and your baby’s alertness and contentment , and to feed responsively when they show hunger cues.
When to call your doctor
Contact a pediatrician or midwife urgently if:
- Your baby has very few wet diapers (fewer than 4–5 in 24 hours after day 4).
- Seems too sleepy to wake for feeds , very weak, or hard to rouse.
- Is losing a lot of weight or you’ve been told weight gain is poor.
If you tell me your baby’s age in days/weeks, weight, and whether they’re breastfed or formula-fed , I can help you interpret what they’re currently drinking in light of these general ranges (not as medical advice, but as a guide to discuss with your baby’s clinician).
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.