Most healthy babies drink a range of milk amounts rather than one “perfect” number, and the right amount depends mainly on age, weight, and whether they’re breastfed or formula-fed.

Quick Scoop: How much milk should babies drink?

Very rough daily ranges (first months, breast or formula):

  • First week: about 180–600 ml total per day as intake climbs quickly.
  • Weeks 1–4: around 450–800 ml per day.
  • 1–6 months: many babies settle around 570–900 ml per day.
  • Simple formula rule of thumb: up to about 150 ml per kg of body weight per day (around 2.5 oz per lb), then adjust to baby’s hunger and fullness cues.

For breastfed babies 1–6 months, total intake often averages about 750 ml per day, with a normal range roughly 570–900 ml, spread over 8–12 feeds early on and fewer feeds as they get older.

For bottle-fed babies, common per-feed ranges are roughly:

  • Newborn: 15–60 ml per feed, very frequently.
  • Around 1 month: 60–120 ml per feed, 8–10 times per day.
  • 1–3 months: 90–120 ml per feed, about 6–8 times per day.
  • 3–6 months: 120–180+ ml per feed, 4–6 times per day.

You cannot overfit your baby to a chart: the safest approach is to start from these guidelines, then watch diapers, weight gain, and your baby’s behavior to know if they’re getting enough.

Age guide: from newborn to 12 months

These are approximate amounts for full-term, healthy babies. Always follow your pediatrician or midwife if their advice differs.

Newborn (0–2 weeks)

  • Tiny stomach, so feeds are small and frequent.
  • Typical total: about 180–600 ml in 24 hours, increasing day by day.
  • Per feed: roughly 15–30 ml at first, rising toward 30–60 ml every 2–3 hours.
  • Expect 8–12 feeds in 24 hours.

Watch for “enough milk” signs: plenty of wet diapers, soft stools, and baby returning to birth weight by around 2 weeks if they lost some initially.

2–6 weeks

  • Stomach capacity grows, so feeds get larger and slightly less often.
  • Daily intake: often in the 450–800 ml range by the end of the first month.
  • Per feed: about 60–120 ml, usually every 2–3 hours.

Breastfed babies often still feed 8–10+ times a day; bottles might make feeds a bit more spaced out, but the total over 24 hours is similar.

1–6 months

During this period, many babies “level out” and don’t keep increasing daily intake forever; they just become more efficient.

Common patterns:

  • Total per day: about 570–900 ml.
  • Typical “average” for breastfed babies: about 750 ml per day.
  • Per feed:
    • 1–3 months: 90–120 ml, around 6–8 feeds per day.
    • 3–6 months: 120–180+ ml, about 4–6 feeds per day.

If you’re using formula, one popular rule is up to 150 ml per kg per day (about 2.5 oz per lb), but you stop increasing when baby seems satisfied and is growing well, even if the “math” says more.

6–12 months (with solids)

  • Around 6 months, many babies start solid foods; milk is still the main nutrition at first.
  • As solids increase, milk often drops to around 710–900 ml per day and then gradually less by 12 months.
  • Per feed: roughly 120–180 ml, about 4–7 feeds, but this varies with how much solid food they accept.

By 12 months, some breastfed toddlers may take about 350–475 ml a day on average, with a wide normal range.

Breast vs formula: why charts differ

Online forums are full of parents asking why their bottle-fed baby drinks more ounces than a breastfed one the same age.

A few key differences:

  • Breast milk adapts : Its composition changes over time, so volumes may stay similar while calories and nutrients shift.
  • Bottle feeding is easier to “push” : Babies may keep sucking from a fast-flow nipple even when they’re full, which can lead to higher volumes.
  • Breastfed babies self-regulate more easily on the breast, while bottles can override fullness cues if we encourage them to finish.

That’s why many lactation resources emphasize watching diapers, growth, and mood instead of chasing a specific ounce target for breastfed babies.

Can you overfeed a baby?

For most newborns, especially if breastfeeding, true overfeeding is uncommon, but it’s easier with bottles and formula.

Possible signs of too much, too fast:

  • Very frequent spit‑up or vomiting after feeds.
  • Extreme fussiness or gassiness right after feeding.
  • Consistently pushing the bottle away or turning head, but being coaxed to “finish it.”

Helpful bottle tips:

  • Use a slow‑flow nipple.
  • Practice “paced” bottle feeding (frequent pauses, keep baby more upright).
  • Stop when baby shows fullness cues, even if there’s milk left.
  • Don’t mix formula stronger than the instructions; that can over‑concentrate calories and be unsafe.

When to talk to a doctor

You should contact your pediatrician, GP, or nurse/health visitor if you notice any of the following:

  • Fewer than 5–6 wet diapers per day after the first week.
  • Very dark yellow urine, very dry mouth, or lethargy.
  • Baby hasn’t regained birth weight by about 2 weeks, or is crossing weight centile lines downward.
  • Vomiting forcefully, or crying in obvious pain after most feeds.
  • Any medical conditions (prematurity, reflux, heart or metabolic issues) that might need tailored feeding plans.

Professionals can adjust these guidelines for preterm babies, low birth weight, or special medical needs, where both the volume and frequency might be very different.

Mini “forum-style” take

“My 2‑month‑old takes 150 ml every 3 hours, is that too much?”

Many other parents will chime in with variations of:

  • “Check total daily amount versus their weight.”
  • “Look at your baby, not the chart: happy, wet diapers, gaining? Probably fine.”
  • “Ask your pediatrician if you’re worried; every baby is different.”

That blend—rough numbers plus close attention to your own baby—is exactly how most experts recommend approaching “how much milk should babies drink.”

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