How Much Milk Should a Baby Drink?

When my daughter was three weeks old, I spent an entire evening obsessing over whether she was getting enough milk. She'd nurse for 10 minutes, fall asleep, wake up an hour later, and repeat. My pediatrician finally told me to stop watching the clock and start watching my baby. "Is she gaining weight? Making wet diapers? Alert and healthy?" All yes. "Then she's getting enough."

The amount of milk babies need varies by age, weight, and individual metabolism. There's no single magic number that applies to every baby. But there are general guidelines that help you know if you're in the right ballpark. Here's what you actually need to know about feeding amounts from newborn through the first year.

Quick Reference: Milk Intake by Age

These are averages. Some babies drink more, some less. Individual variation is normal.

Newborn Stage (0-2 Months): Frequent, Small Feedings

Newborns have tiny stomachs—about the size of a marble on day one, growing to the size of a ping pong ball by two weeks. This is why they eat small amounts frequently.

What to Expect

• First 24 hours: 1-2 oz per feeding, every 2-3 hours (or on demand for breastfed babies)
• Day 2-7: 2-3 oz per feeding, 8-12 times per day
• Week 2-8: 2-4 oz per feeding, gradually spacing to every 3-4 hours

Breastfeeding vs Formula

Breastfed babies: Nurse on demand, typically 8-12 times per day. You can't measure exact intake, but watch for:

• 6+ wet diapers per day after day 5
• At least 3 dirty diapers per day (in first month)
• Weight gain of 5-7 oz per week after first two weeks
• Swallowing sounds during nursing

Formula-fed babies: Start with 1-2 oz per feeding in the first days, working up to 3-4 oz by one month. Feed every 3-4 hours, but don't force them to finish if they turn away.

2-6 Months: Growth Spurt Period

Between 2-6 months, babies grow rapidly and their milk intake increases significantly. Stomach capacity expands, allowing larger but less frequent feedings.

Formula Feeding Guidelines

A common formula: 2.5 oz per pound of body weight per day, up to a maximum of 32 oz per day.

For example:

• 10-lb baby: ~25 oz per day (about 4-5 oz every 4 hours)
• 12-lb baby: ~30 oz per day (about 5-6 oz every 4 hours)
• 14-lb baby: ~32 oz per day (reaching the daily max)

Most babies settle into 4-6 feedings per day during this period.

Breastfeeding Frequency

Breastfed babies still feed 6-10 times per day during this stage, though some babies start spacing out to 5-8 times. Sessions may be shorter as babies become more efficient at nursing.

Growth Spurts

Expect increased hunger around:

• 2-3 weeks
• 6 weeks
• 3 months
• 6 months

During growth spurts, babies may want to feed more frequently for 2-3 days. This is temporary and normal.

6-12 Months: Introducing Solids

Around 6 months, solid foods enter the picture, but milk remains the primary source of nutrition until 12 months. The goal is gradual transition, not replacement.

Milk Intake with Solids

As solid food intake increases, milk consumption naturally decreases slightly—but not drastically. Babies still need 18-24 oz of milk per day at 12 months.

Feeding Order Matters

Offer milk first, then solids. This ensures baby gets adequate nutrition from milk before filling up on solids, which are less nutrient-dense at this stage.

Signs Your Baby Is Getting Enough

Instead of obsessing over exact ounces, watch for these indicators:

Diaper Output

• 0-5 days old: Diapers match age (1 wet on day 1, 2 on day 2, etc.)
• After day 5: 6+ wet diapers per day
• Dirty diapers: At least 3-4 per day in first month, decreasing after that (especially for breastfed babies)

Weight Gain

• First 2 weeks: Regain birth weight by day 10-14
• 0-3 months: Gain 5-7 oz per week
• 3-6 months: Gain 4-5 oz per week
• 6-12 months: Gain 2-4 oz per week

Your pediatrician tracks this on growth charts. Consistent growth along any percentile curve is good.

Behavior and Health

• Alert and responsive when awake
• Meeting developmental milestones
• Skin has good color and elasticity
• Satisfied after feedings (not constantly fussy)

Signs of Underfeeding

Contact your pediatrician if you notice:

• Fewer than 6 wet diapers per day after day 5
• Dark, concentrated urine
• No weight gain or weight loss
• Constant fussiness and hunger
• Lethargy and poor muscle tone
• Sunken fontanelle (soft spot on head)

Signs of Overfeeding

Yes, it's possible to overfeed, especially with bottles. Signs include:

• Frequent spitting up large amounts
• Excessive weight gain (crossing multiple percentile lines upward)
• Discomfort or fussiness during or after feeding
• Refusing bottles consistently

Paced bottle feeding helps prevent overfeeding—hold baby upright, use slow-flow nipples, and let them control the pace with breaks.

Formula vs Breast Milk: Does Amount Differ?

Yes, slightly. Formula-fed babies typically consume more volume than breastfed babies because:

• Formula digests slower: Takes longer to break down, so babies feel full longer
• Breast milk changes: Composition varies throughout the day and feeding, automatically adjusting to baby's needs
• Bottle flow: Easier to drink from a bottle than breast, leading to faster intake

A breastfed baby might take 25 oz per day while a formula-fed baby of the same size takes 30 oz. Both are normal.

Common Feeding Mistakes

1. Forcing Baby to Finish the Bottle

Babies have good hunger/fullness cues. If they turn away, they're done. Forcing them to finish teaches them to ignore fullness signals.

2. Using Feeding to Soothe Every Cry

Not every cry means hunger. Sometimes they're tired, need a diaper change, or want comfort. Feeding for every fuss can lead to overfeeding.

3. Comparing Your Baby to Others

Your friend's baby drinks 8 oz per feeding at 2 months? Great for them. Your baby taking 5 oz and thriving? Also great. Babies have different metabolisms and growth rates.

4. Restricting Night Feedings Too Early

Newborns need to eat at night. Their stomachs can't hold enough to go 8+ hours. Most babies naturally drop night feedings between 4-9 months as they take more during the day.

Calculating Formula Needs

If you're formula feeding, here's a simple calculation:

Baby's weight in pounds × 2.5 = oz per day

Then divide by number of feedings per day to get per-feeding amount.

Example: 12-lb baby × 2.5 = 30 oz per day
30 oz ÷ 6 feedings = 5 oz per feeding

This is a starting point. Adjust based on your baby's hunger cues.

When to Introduce Whole Milk

At 12 months, you can transition from formula or breast milk to whole cow's milk. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends:

• 16-24 oz of whole milk per day (no more than 24 oz)
• Continue until age 2, then switch to low-fat milk if desired
• Milk is now a supplement to solid foods, not the primary nutrition

Breast milk can continue beyond 12 months for as long as mother and baby want.

The Bottom Line

Milk intake varies by age, weight, and individual baby. Newborns need small, frequent feedings (14-28 oz/day). By 6 months, most babies take 28-40 oz per day. After solids are introduced, milk intake decreases slightly to 18-30 oz per day by 12 months.

Focus on growth, diaper output, and overall health rather than hitting exact ounce targets. Babies are remarkably good at regulating their own intake when we let them lead. Trust your baby's hunger cues and your pediatrician's assessment of growth—that's your best guide.