Newborn babies should be fed on demand when they are hungry and will generally let you know when they have had enough milk. However, you probably have questions about how much milk to give your baby. How many ml should a newborn drink in a bottle? I’m happy to share this newborn drink chart with you.
How Much Milk Should Newborns Drink Based on Body Weight
Your newborn should eat around 75 ml of formula every day for every pound of body weight. In grams, that’s approximately every 453 grams.
For example, a 10-pound or 0.7-stone baby will eat approximately 750 ml in total every 24-hour period.
Most babies 8 weeks and older will not eat more than 960 ml per day though I’ve seen a few exceptions in my 15 years as a baby sleep consultant. Keep in mind that the total may vary slightly day-to-day, but if you have any concerns about a significant drop or increase in intake, be sure to discuss it with your healthcare provider as it may indicate a health issue.
Newborn Drink Chart in ml
While we can put estimates in the below newborn drink chart, always follow your baby’s cues and use your intuition. The best way to know if your baby is eating enough is to follow their growth curve and make sure they are gaining weight appropriately. Please make sure you ask your baby’s healthcare provider if you have any concerns. But, to give you an idea, here is a newborn drink chart in ml for you to use as a guide:
| Age | # of feedings in 24 hours | Avg Feeding Frequency | Avg Bottle Size | Avg # of Night Feedings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-1 week | 12+ | every ~2 hours | 30-60 ml | every ~2 hours |
| 2-4 weeks | 8-12+ | every 2-3 hours | 90-120 ml | on-demand* |
| 5-6 weeks | 6-10 | every 3 hours | 120 ml | 2-3 |
| 7-8 weeks | 6-8 | every 3 hours | 120-180 ml | 1-3 |
| 9-10 weeks | 5-8 | every 3 hours | 120-200 ml | 1-3 |
| 11-12 weeks | 4-5+ | every 3-4 hours** | 180-200 ml | 0-2*** |
| 13-14 weeks | 4-5+ | every 3-4 hours** | 180-200 ml | 0-1*** |
| 15-16 weeks | 4-5 | every 3-4 hours** | 180-240 ml | 0-1*** |
* If your baby goes longer than 4 hours without eating, be sure to wake them to feed them.
** Not all babies get to 4 hours between milk feedings by this age or ever. Some babies will always eat every 3 hours until 9-10+ months old.
*** While some 3-4-month-olds will night-wean completely, not all can sleep all night without milk. In addition, some formula-fed babies still eat at night even past 6 months old, especially if they have reflux.
Other Articles You May Be Interested In…
Should You Feed Newborns On Demand or On a Schedule?
Newborns should be fed on-demand and always remember that crying is usually the last cue they give you! Look for other signs of hunger such as rooting, sucking on their hands profusely, smacking their lips, or becoming irritable. You will get to know your baby, and as they get older, they will likely gravitate to predictable times and a baby feeding schedule. Until then, follow the newborn drink chart because helping your baby eat better during the day will help them sleep better at night!
When Can Newborns Go All Night Without Feeding?
How many hours your baby can sleep without feeding varies by age and weight. In addition, how many ml your newborn drinks at a time will be a big factor. As illustrated in the above chart, most newborns will sleep through the night without feeding when they are eating at least 180 ml bottles every 3-4 hours during the day. Once a baby is capable of consuming 890-960 ml during daytime hours, they will typically no longer need to eat at night. Always remember that every baby is unique, though!