"When was the last feed?" is the question that comes up most in the early weeks — and the hardest one to answer precisely at 3am, baby in your arms and your brain somewhere else. Here are the reference amounts by age, and why the real problem is almost never how much to give, but keeping track of it.
How much should a newborn eat, by age
With formula or a bottle the amount is easy to measure, in ounces or ml. With direct breastfeeding there's no exact way to measure it — the baby regulates the amount based on their own demand — but this table still works as a reference for how much a baby needs at each age.
| Age | Per feed (formula) | Feeds/day | Interval |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-1 week | 1-2 oz (30-60 ml) | 8-12 | 2-3h |
| 1 month | 2-3 oz (60-90 ml) | 7-9 | 2-3h |
| 2 months | 3-4 oz (90-120 ml) | 6-8 | 3-4h |
| 3 months | 4-5 oz (120-150 ml) | 5-6 | 3-4h |
| 4 months | 4-5 oz (120-150 ml) | 5-6 | 3-4h |
| 5 months | 5-6 oz (150-180 ml) | 4-5 | 4h |
| 6 months | 5-6 oz (150-180 ml) | 4-5 | 4h |
These are reference ranges, not a fixed number to hit every single feed. In the first few days of breastfeeding, amounts are much smaller (colostrum is measured in teaspoons, not ounces) and rise as milk comes in, usually between day 2 and day 5.
How often to feed a newborn
Every 2 to 3 hours in the first few weeks, including overnight — a newborn shouldn't go more than 4 hours without eating, even to "let them sleep." As the baby grows and takes more per feed, the intervals naturally space out on their own, reaching every 3-4 hours by around 2-3 months.
Signs your baby is eating enough
- Steady weight gain along their own growth curve — the trend matters more than any single number.
- 6 or more well-wet diapers a day, starting from the first week of life.
- Back to birth weight by around 10-14 days, after the normal early weight dip.
- Ends up calm and lets go of the breast or bottle on their own, with no signs of discomfort.
When to check with a pediatrician
Poor weight gain, fewer than 6 wet diapers a day past the first week, marked lethargy between feeds, or persistently refusing to eat are worth a check-in. If instead you're worried they're eating too much, the signs are different — and considerably less common than people think.
The real challenge isn't knowing how much — it's keeping track
With 8 to 10 feeds a day, at any hour, it's easy to lose track of when the last one was and how much they took. The paper notebook stays in the other room, the group chat with your partner fills up with messages no one rereads, and you get to the pediatrician's appointment with the feeling of having no clear data to show — exactly what generates the most anxiety in those first weeks.
Logging a feed — a real screen from the Alfonso app.
Pick the exact type — breast, formula, puree, fruit, or cereal.
Start logging today
Create your baby's profile in 30 seconds, no account or password needed, and log the next event as it happens — to see the real pattern, not just remember it. Syncs automatically with your partner.
Frequently asked questions
How much should a newborn eat per feed?
1-2 oz (30-60 ml) in the first week with formula, rising gradually to 3-4 oz (90-120 ml) by around six weeks. With direct breastfeeding, the baby regulates the amount based on demand.
How often should a newborn eat?
Every 2 to 3 hours, including overnight, in the first few weeks — the interval spaces out on its own as the baby grows.
How do I know if my baby is eating enough?
Steady weight gain, 6 or more wet diapers a day, and ending each feed calm and satisfied.
Keep reading
ℹ️ The amounts in this guide are general reference ranges and can vary by baby. If you have concerns about weight gain or feeding, always check with a pediatrician or a lactation specialist.