Most healthy newborns eat about 16–24 ounces of breast milk or formula per day in the first couple of weeks, increasing toward about 20–24+ ounces a day by around 1 month, depending mainly on their weight and hunger cues. A common rule of thumb is roughly 2.5 ounces of milk per pound of body weight per day (so an 8‑lb baby takes about 20 ounces in 24 hours), but this is a guideline, not a strict target.

Key daily ounce guidelines

  • A general daily estimate: about 2–2.5 ounces of milk per pound of baby’s weight over 24 hours (for example, 7–9 lb babies often take around 16–24 ounces a day).
  • Many newborns start closer to 12–18 ounces a day in the very first days, then quickly move into the 16–24 ounce range as their stomach grows and feeds get larger.
  • Most pediatric sources cap typical safe intake around 32 ounces of formula per day; consistently going beyond that or seeming extremely hungry or fussy can be a sign to check in with the pediatrician.

Per‑feed amounts and frequency

  • In the first week or so, babies usually take about 1–2 ounces per feeding, with 8–12 feeds per 24 hours, which often totals roughly 12–24 ounces per day.
  • By about 2–4 weeks, many babies take 2–3 ounces per feed every 2–4 hours, which commonly adds up to about 16–24+ ounces a day.
  • By the end of the first month, some babies reach 3–4 ounces per feed with a bit more spacing between feeds, so total daily intake may edge toward the mid‑20s in ounces.

What matters more than the exact number

  • Growth : Steady weight gain, plenty of wet diapers (usually 6+ per day after the first week), and several stools are stronger signals that baby is getting enough than any single ounce target.
  • Cues: Rooting, sucking on hands, and waking frequently can signal hunger, while turning away, sealing lips, or relaxing the body show baby has had enough.
  • Type of feeding: Breastfed babies can be harder to “measure,” so pediatricians look more at diaper counts and growth curves rather than exact ounce totals.

When to call the pediatrician

  • Baby has fewer than about 5–6 wet diapers a day after the first week or very few stools, or diapers suddenly drop off.
  • Baby is often too sleepy or weak to feed, or takes very tiny amounts and doesn’t improve over a day.
  • You are regularly needing more than 32 ounces of formula a day or are worried baby is vomiting, not just spitting up.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.