Feeding guide
How much milk does my baby need?
Typical milk-feeding ranges by age from CDC & AAP. Pick your baby's age (and add their weight for a rough daily estimate).
First few days
- Per feed
- 1–3 oz
- Feeds
- 8 to 12 feeds a day
- A day (total)
- Building up
Newborns usually feed every 2–3 hours, taking small amounts that build up over the first week. Watch for hunger cues.
CDCLast reviewed Fri, Jan 10About 2 weeks to 2 months
- Per feed
- 2–4 oz
- Feeds
- 6 to 8 feeds a day
- A day (total)
- 20–30 oz
Feeding amounts increase while feeds become less frequent. Let your baby stop when they show they're full.
CDCLast reviewed Fri, Jan 10About 2 to 4 months
- Per feed
- 4–6 oz
- Feeds
- 5 to 6 feeds a day
- A day (total)
- 24–34 oz
Many babies settle into a routine. Amounts vary from day to day — that's expected.
AAP (HealthyChildren.org)Last reviewed Fri, Jan 10About 4 to 6 months
- Per feed
- 5–7 oz
- Feeds
- 4 to 6 feeds a day
- A day (total)
- 25–36 oz
Formula or breast milk is still the main source of nutrition. The AAP suggests waiting until about 6 months to start solids.
AAP (HealthyChildren.org)Last reviewed Fri, Jan 10About 6 to 12 months
- Per feed
- 6–8 oz
- Feeds
- 3 to 4 feeds a day
- A day (total)
- 24–32 oz
As solids increase from around 6 months, milk feeds gradually decrease. Most babies take no more than about 32 fl oz of formula a day.
AAP (HealthyChildren.org)Last reviewed Fri, Jan 10
These are typical ranges for the US and vary a lot from baby to baby. Feed responsively — on demand, following your baby's hunger and fullness cues — rather than aiming for an exact amount. Breastfed babies feed on demand and don't need measuring.
Premature or medically complex babies often have different feeding needs. This general guide doesn't apply to them — please follow the specific advice from your neonatal team, health visitor, GP, pediatrician, or infant-feeding specialist.
General guidance from published infant-feeding sources — not medical or nutritional advice. If you have any concerns about your baby's feeding, weight, allergies, or reflux, speak to your pediatrician or an infant-feeding specialist.