How much should a newborn drink? Per feed and per day, in ml
Tiny amounts on day one, the HSE rule of thumb after the first week, and the signs that matter more than the ml.
In short
On the first day a newborn's stomach holds only around 5 to 7 ml per feed. That rises to roughly 22 to 27 ml by day 3 and 45 to 60 ml by the end of the first week. From about a week old to 6 months, formula-fed babies need roughly 150 ml per kg of body weight per day, split over feeds. Breastfed babies feed on demand and the amount is not measured.
- Day 1: about 5 to 7 ml per feed. Day 3: about 22 to 27 ml. End of week 1: about 45 to 60 ml.
- From a week old to 6 months: roughly 150 ml per kg per day for formula, so about 600 ml a day for a 4 kg baby.
- Newborns feed every 2 to 3 hours. Breastfed babies typically feed 8 to 12 times in 24 hours in the early weeks.
- Signs of enough: steady weight gain, 6 or more wet nappies a day after the first week and a settled baby between many feeds.
- Never force a bottle to be finished. Formula or breastmilk is the main drink until 12 months and water is not needed before 6 months.
A newborn drinks only around 5 to 7 ml per feed on the first day, rising to roughly 45 to 60 ml per feed by the end of the first week. After that, formula-fed babies need about 150 ml per kg of body weight a day split over feeds, while breastfed babies feed on demand and the amount is not measured.
How much does a newborn drink per feed?
Far less than most parents expect. A newborn's stomach is tiny on day one and grows quickly over the first week:
| Age | Roughly per feed |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | 5 to 7 ml |
| Day 3 | 22 to 27 ml |
| End of week 1 | 45 to 60 ml |
This is why the first days are all about frequent, small feeds. A baby taking 10 ml on day one is not underfed, that is simply what fits. It is also why the amounts on a formula tin do not apply to a brand new newborn.
How much should a newborn drink per day?
Once feeding is established, from about a week old up to around 6 months, the HSE rule of thumb for formula-fed babies is roughly 150 ml per kg of body weight per day, split over the day's feeds. A 4 kg baby needs about 600 ml a day, so around 75 to 100 ml per feed over 6 to 8 feeds. There is a full table by weight in the guide to how much formula a baby needs. Some babies take a bit more and some a bit less, and the daily total matters more than any single bottle.
How often should a newborn feed?
Newborns feed every 2 to 3 hours, day and night. Breastfed babies typically feed 8 to 12 times in 24 hours in the early weeks. Feeds are not evenly spaced, and cluster feeding in the evening is common. Follow your baby's cues rather than the clock, and never force a bottle to be finished. When they turn away or slow right down, they are done.
How much should a breastfed newborn drink?
You will not know the number, and that is fine. Breastfed babies feed on demand, typically 8 to 12 times in 24 hours in the early weeks, and the amount is not measured. Instead of ml, the things to count are feeds, which side, roughly how long, and wet nappies. If those are in order, the volume is looking after itself.
How do I know my newborn is getting enough?
Whether bottle or breast, the signs are the same:
- Steady weight gain, which the PHN checks at the home visit and follow-ups
- 6 or more wet nappies a day after the first week
- A baby who is settled between many feeds, not necessarily all of them
If those three are in order, the exact ml matters much less. The guide to whether your baby is feeding enough goes through the signs that matter and the ones that do not.
Does a newborn need water?
No. Breastmilk or formula gives a newborn all the fluid they need, even in warm weather, and water is not needed before 6 months. Formula or breastmilk stays the main drink until 12 months, with small sips of water alongside solids from 6 months.
This is a guide, not medical advice. If you are worried, ask your PHN or GP.
How do I know if my newborn is getting enough?
Count the feeds and the wet nappies over a full day, not just the feed that just went badly. Most parents try to do that in their head at 3am and lose track. Lullagram logs each feed in a tap, adds up the day in ml for bottles or counts breastfeeds by side and length, and shows wet nappies beside it, for both parents. It is free to try on Android, iPhone and web.