Feeding guide
How much milk does my baby need?
Typical milk-feeding ranges by age from NHS Start for Life. Pick your baby's age (and add their weight for a rough daily estimate).
First few days
- Per feed
- 30–70 ml
- Feeds
- 8 to 12 feeds a day
- A day (total)
- Building up
Newborns take small amounts often as their appetite and your routine settle. Follow your baby's cues rather than the clock.
NHS Start for LifeLast reviewed Wed 15 JanAbout 2 weeks to 2 months
- Per feed
- 75–110 ml
- Feeds
- 6 to 8 feeds a day
- A day (total)
- 600–900 ml
Feeds get bigger and less frequent. Let your baby decide how much to take — it's normal for it to vary feed to feed.
NHS Start for LifeLast reviewed Wed 15 JanAbout 2 to 4 months
- Per feed
- 110–170 ml
- Feeds
- 5 to 6 feeds a day
- A day (total)
- 700–1000 ml
Most babies settle into a rough pattern. There's no need to force a full bottle.
NHS Start for LifeLast reviewed Wed 15 JanAbout 4 to 6 months
- Per feed
- 150–210 ml
- Feeds
- 4 to 6 feeds a day
- A day (total)
- 750–1050 ml
Milk is still your baby's main food. Solid foods usually start at around 6 months, not before.
NHS Start for LifeLast reviewed Wed 15 JanAbout 6 to 12 months
- Per feed
- 180–240 ml
- Feeds
- 3 to 4 feeds a day
- A day (total)
- 500–900 ml
As solid foods increase from 6 months, milk feeds gradually reduce. Aim for responsive feeding alongside a varied diet.
NHS Start for LifeLast reviewed Wed 15 Jan
These are typical ranges for the UK 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 health visitor or GP or an infant-feeding specialist.