Newborns usually need small, frequent feeds rather than large bottles, and the exact amount depends on age, weight, and whether they are breastfed or formula-fed.

Key guideline (rough ranges)

  • In the first days, a newborn’s stomach is tiny (about 5–7 ml per feed on day 1), so feeds are very small but very frequent (8–12 times per 24 hours).
  • By the end of the first week, many babies take roughly 30–60 ml (1–2 oz) per feed, still about 8–10 times a day.
  • Over the first month, most newborns move toward about 45–90 ml (1.5–3 oz) per feed every 2–3 hours, day and night (total roughly 400–700 ml per 24 hours, depending on size).

Simple age-based overview

These are approximate ranges; some healthy babies take a bit more or less.

  • Day 1–2
    • 5–10 ml per feed (a teaspoon or two), 8–12 feeds per day.
  • End of week 1
    • Around 30–60 ml (1–2 oz) per feed, about every 2–3 hours.
  • Weeks 2–4
    • Roughly 45–90 ml (1.5–3 oz) per feed every 2–3 hours.
  • Rule of thumb by weight (for bottle-fed babies)
    • Many pediatric sources use about 150 ml per kg per day as a rough upper guide (for example, a 4.9 kg baby ≈ 740 ml per 24 hours, split into feeds).

Breastfeeding vs formula

  • Breastfed babies
    • Often feed more frequently and for variable lengths; intake is harder to measure precisely, so parents rely on hunger cues, weight gain, and diaper output.
  • Formula-fed babies
    • Typical newborn intake is around 45–90 ml (1.5–3 oz) every 2–3 hours, increasing gradually as the baby grows.

How to tell if it’s enough

Watch the baby, not just the ounces.

  • At least 6 wet diapers a day by about 1–2 weeks of age.
  • Several stools per day in the early weeks (pattern may change over time).
  • Steady weight gain after the normal initial post-birth weight loss.
  • Baby seems generally content and relaxed after most feeds.

If the baby is consistently taking far more than the rough 150 ml/kg/day guideline, vomiting a lot, not having enough wet diapers, very sleepy, or not gaining weight , contact a pediatrician or other health professional urgently.

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