Breastfeeding Newborns: How Much Milk Do They Need?

Feeding a newborn can be challenging for new parents, but understanding the basic guidelines can make it easier. In the early days, on-demand feeding is essential to meeting their needs. This means feeding your baby whenever they show hunger cues, such as fussiness, rooting, or sucking motions. Most babies naturally develop a feeding pattern of approximately every 2 to 3 hours, although some may require more frequent feedings, especially during growth spurts.

In the first few days, babies generally only need about 1/2 an ounce to 1 ounce during each feeding. This gradually increases over time. By the time your baby is about a month old, they will need at least 4 ounces per feeding to get the nourishment they require. Newborns should receive all their calories from breast milk or formula, and they will continue to gain weight and grow at a regular pace.

How often should newborns feed?

Newborns have tiny stomachs and feed little and often. In their first month, newborns will feed on demand, whenever they show hunger cues, which is usually every two to three hours, or eight to twelve times a day. This is called responsive feeding.

After the first month, babies will still wake up to feed in the night, but they will soon start to sleep for longer periods. Between one and four months, babies will decrease the number of times they feed to around eight times a day, but they may feed more often than every two to three hours, which is called cluster feeding. This is very common and normal in breastfed babies, and it helps boost your milk supply during a growth spurt.

By the time a baby is three months old, they will probably feed six to eight times a day (or every three to four hours).

Newborns should not go more than about four hours without feeding, even overnight. If your baby has not fed in four hours, you should wake them up to feed.

How much breastmilk should a newborn eat in the first few days?

In the first few days after birth, babies generally only need about half an ounce to one ounce during each feeding. This amount gradually increases over time. Newborns eat little and often, and in the first month of life, most babies will nurse every two to three hours throughout the day and night.

Responsive feeding, or feeding on demand, is recommended by experts, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). This means feeding your baby whenever they show early signs of hunger, such as smacking their lips or rooting around for your nipple. Responsive feeding helps to ensure your baby is getting the right amount of milk and is especially important in the early days and weeks of your baby's life.

In the first few days, a newborn may take only half an ounce at each feeding, increasing to one or two ounces per feeding in the first couple of days. By the time a baby is two weeks old, they will be taking two to three ounces per feeding.

Newborns should be fed every two to three hours, or eight to 12 times a day. Responsive feeding is recommended, but if your baby has not fed for four hours, you may need to wake them up to feed.

As well as watching for early hunger cues, you can tell if your baby is getting enough breastmilk by tracking their weight gain and the number of wet diapers. Your baby should wet two to three diapers each day in the first few days after birth, and this should increase to at least six wet diapers a day after the first four to five days.

Signs that your baby is not getting enough breastmilk include:

• Your baby continues to lose weight or does not start gaining weight after five days
• Your baby is wetting fewer than six diapers in a 24-hour period after the first five days
• Your baby has small, dark stools after their first five days
• Your baby's urine is very dark
• Your baby is fussy or lethargic much of the time
• Your baby feeds for less than 10 minutes or more than 50 minutes at a time
• Your baby appears to have a dry mouth or eyes
• Your baby doesn't seem satisfied, even if feedings consistently take longer than an hour
• Your breasts don't feel softer after nursing

If you are concerned that your baby is not getting enough breastmilk, contact your healthcare provider or a lactation consultant.

How much breastmilk should a one-month-old eat?

A one-month-old baby will feed on demand or responsively, meaning that they will eat when they are hungry. In the first month of life, most babies will nurse every 2 to 3 hours throughout the day and night. This will decrease to every 3 to 4 hours by the time they are two months old.

Breast milk is easily digested, so newborns are hungry often. In the first month, a baby will feed 8–12 times per day, or up to every 1.5 to 3 hours. This will decrease to 7–9 times a day by the time they are 1–2 months old.

Newborns should not go more than about 4 hours without feeding, even overnight.

The amount of breast milk a newborn will eat at each feeding will increase as they grow. In the first few days after birth, newborns will take in up to half an ounce of colostrum (early breast milk) at each feeding. Over the next few days, they will take in 1 to 2 ounces at each feeding. A couple of weeks after birth, once mature breast milk comes in, babies will likely take in 2 to 3 ounces at each feeding, working their way up to 4 to 5 ounces by the time they are 2 months old.

If you are breastfeeding, there will likely be times when you need to give your baby a bottle. Between the ages of 1 and 4 months old, most breastfed babies will eat about 2 to 4 ounces every 3 hours during the day. Every baby is different, and it is normal for them to sometimes eat less or more at a given feeding.

Formula-fed babies tend to take fewer feedings than breastfed babies and will eat more in a single feed. During the first month, formula-fed babies typically consume 2 to 4 ounces every 2 to 4 hours through the day and night. From 1 month of age to 4 months, formula-fed babies generally consume around 4 to 6 ounces every 4 hours.

It's important to remember that all babies are different. Some like to snack more often, and others drink more at one time and go longer between feedings. However, most babies will drink more and go longer between feedings as they get bigger and their tummies can hold more milk.

How long does breastfeeding take?

The length of time it takes to breastfeed a newborn varies depending on the baby and the mother. In the first month, newborns will feed eight to twelve times a day, or every two to three hours. This includes throughout the night, though they will soon start to sleep for longer. After the first month, this will decrease to seven to nine times a day.

Newborns may feed for up to twenty minutes or longer on one or both breasts. As they get older, they may take around five to ten minutes on each breast. However, this depends on a number of factors, such as the mother's milk supply, the baby's appetite, and whether the baby is sleepy or distracted.

It is recommended that parents feed their newborn on demand, rather than sticking to a strict schedule. This means paying attention to hunger cues, such as fussiness, rooting, or sucking motions.

How do you know if your baby is getting enough breastmilk?

It's common for new parents to worry about whether their baby is getting enough breastmilk. While it's impossible to measure the amount of milk your baby is drinking, there are several signs to look out for that indicate your baby is getting enough.

Baby is feeding regularly

In the first two months, expect your baby to nurse 10 to 12 times in a 24-hour period. Each breastfeeding session will likely take between 20 to 45 minutes. If you are feeding your baby less than eight times a day, or if the sessions are very short or very long (less than 10 minutes or more than 50 minutes), consult your baby's doctor.

Baby is swallowing during feeding

After your baby latches on, they will suck rapidly to get the milk flowing. Once the milk is flowing, the sucking will become slower and deeper as they swallow. You may see your baby's jaw moving or hear them swallowing, which indicates they are getting milk. If your baby falls asleep at the breast, takes long breaks, or gives up within a couple of minutes, they may not be getting enough milk.

Baby is content and happy

If your baby seems satisfied after breastfeeding, they are likely getting enough milk. If they always want to nurse, it may be a sign that they are still hungry after feeding.

Your breasts feel softer after feeding

Your breasts should feel softer at the end of a feeding. This indicates that your baby is emptying the milk and stimulating more supply for the next feeding.

Baby is gaining weight as expected

It's normal for a newborn's weight to fluctuate during the first few days. By day 10, a baby's weight should rebound to their birth weight. Until 6 months of age, babies usually gain between 5 and 8 ounces a week. By 5 months, your baby's weight should be double their birth weight.

You're changing a lot of diapers each day

In the first week, your baby will have about the same number of wet and dirty diapers as the days of their life (e.g. on day 3, expect 3 wet diapers and 3 dirty diapers). After that, expect 8 to 10 diapers (6 of which should be wet) each day.

When to seek help

If you think your baby isn't getting enough breastmilk, consult a lactation consultant or your baby's doctor. They can help with latching problems, feeding positions, and identify any underlying issues.

Frequently asked questions