How Much Milk Does a Baby Need from Birth to 3 Months?
If you are asking how much milk is needed for an infant to 3m, the pattern is simple: feeds start tiny, climb quickly through the first month, then grow bigger and further apart. Using the 150 ml/kg/day starting point, a typical baby goes from about 500 ml (17 oz) a day at 2 weeks to about 900 ml (30 oz) a day at 3 months. This week-by-week newborn feeding chart shows the numbers in ml and oz.
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How this guide is maintained
Written by the Baby Milk Calculator editorial team and reviewed against primary public-health guidance. This page is for general education, not individualized diagnosis or treatment.
Last content update
October 16, 2026
Primary sources
6 official references
Written by
Baby Milk Calculator editorial team
Reviewed against
Guidance from AAP and CDC
Good for
General reference and planning
Sources inform this guide. Citing an organization does not mean it authored, reviewed, or endorsed this page. See our editorial policy for how we use references and handle corrections.
Newborn Feeding Chart by Week (ml and oz)
Weights below are typical mid-range values; your baby may be heavier or lighter and still be perfectly healthy. Daily totals are weight in kg × 150 ml, and per-feed amounts divide that total by the usual number of feeds.
| Age | Typical weight | Daily total | Per feed | Feeds/day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 2 | 3.4 kg | 510 ml · ~17.2 oz | 64 ml · ~2.2 oz | 8 |
| Week 3 | 3.7 kg | 555 ml · ~18.8 oz | 69 ml · ~2.3 oz | 8 |
| Week 4 (1 month) | 4.0 kg | 600 ml · ~20.3 oz | 75 ml · ~2.5 oz | 8 |
| Week 6 | 4.5 kg | 675 ml · ~22.8 oz | 84 ml · ~2.9 oz | 8 |
| Week 8 (2 months) | 5.0 kg | 750 ml · ~25.4 oz | 107 ml · ~3.6 oz | 7 |
| Week 10 | 5.5 kg | 825 ml · ~27.9 oz | 118 ml · ~4.0 oz | 7 |
| Week 12 (3 months) | 6.0 kg | 900 ml · ~30.4 oz | 129 ml · ~4.4 oz | 7 |
For your own baby's weight, use the Baby Milk Calculator or the formula calculator.
The First Week: Tiny Feeds, Frequent Feeds
A newborn's stomach is very small, so the first days are about frequent, small feeds: often a teaspoon or two of colostrum at first, building to around an ounce (30 ml) or more per feed as milk volume increases. The 150 ml/kg/day figure does not apply on day one; it is a guide for once feeding is established, usually from the end of the first week.
Breastfed newborns commonly feed 8–12 times in 24 hours. Formula-fed newborns usually take about 7–8 feeds. Offer a feed when you see early cues such as rooting or hands to mouth rather than waiting for crying.
Formula Milk for Baby 0–6 Months Quantity: Weeks 2 to 4
From week 2, most formula-fed babies take about 60–75 ml (2–2.5 oz) per feed every 3 to 4 hours. Around 2–3 weeks a growth spurt is common, with a few days of wanting more. Feeding a little sooner or offering an extra 10–15 ml when your baby clearly asks is reasonable. For detail see the 3-week-old formula guide.
Worked 150 ml/kg/day Example
Worked example
A 5 kg baby at about 8 weeks: 5 × 150 = 750 ml per day (about 25 oz). Across 7 feeds: 750 ÷ 7 ≈ 107 ml (3.6 oz) per feed. Across 6 feeds: 125 ml (4.2 oz).
Multiply weight in kg by 150, then divide by the number of feeds your baby takes. Pounds? Divide by 2.2 first. Our 150 ml/kg/day explainer covers the maths in more depth.
Months 2 and 3: Bigger Feeds, Fewer Feeds
Between 2 and 3 months, stomach capacity grows and many babies move from 7–8 feeds to 6–7, taking roughly 90–150 ml (3–5 oz) each. Daily totals plateau rather than rising in step with weight, and formula-fed babies rarely need more than about 32 oz (950 ml) a day. If your baby regularly wants much more, or much less, mention it at the next check-up. Month-specific pages: 2 months and 3 months.
Is My Baby Getting Enough Milk?
- Wet diapers:at least 5–6 a day once milk has come in.
- Weight: steady gain along their growth curve at check-ups.
- Cues: relaxed hands and a slowing suck, or turning away, signal fullness.
- Alertness: awake and responsive between feeds.
Contact your pediatrician if diapers drop, your baby is hard to wake for feeds, or weight gain stalls. This chart is general information, not individual medical advice.
Primary sources
Official references for this page
These links are the main public-health and pediatric references used to maintain this guide.
01
How Often and How Much Should Your Baby Eat?HealthyChildren.org / American Academy of Pediatrics
AAP overview of breast milk and formula feeding frequency and volumes.
02
Amount and Schedule of Baby Formula FeedingsHealthyChildren.org / American Academy of Pediatrics
AAP guidance on formula intake by weight and feeding cadence.
03
How Much and How Often to Feed Infant FormulaCDC
CDC guidance on first days, first months, and 6-12 month formula feeding.
04
How Much and How Often to BreastfeedCDC
CDC expectations for frequent newborn breastfeeding and normal changes over the first weeks and months.
05
Is Your Baby Hungry or Full? Responsive Feeding ExplainedHealthyChildren.org / American Academy of Pediatrics
AAP explanation of infant hunger and fullness cues.
06
How to Tell if Your Breastfed Baby is Getting Enough MilkHealthyChildren.org / American Academy of Pediatrics
AAP signs of adequate intake, including diapers, weight gain, and satiety.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much milk is needed for infant to 3m?
Using the 150 ml/kg/day starting point from the AAP and CDC, a baby typically moves from about 500 ml (17 oz) a day at 2 weeks to about 900 ml (30 oz) a day by 3 months, as weight rises from roughly 3.4 kg to 6 kg. Most formula-fed babies stay under about 32 oz (950 ml) a day. Use it as an estimate and follow hunger and fullness cues.
What does a newborn feeding chart by week look like?
In the first days babies take very small feeds, often a teaspoon or two rising to around 1 oz. From about week 2 feeds are roughly 60–70 ml (2–2.3 oz) every 3 hours or so, reaching about 90–120 ml (3–4 oz) by 2 months, and 120–150 ml (4–5 oz) by 3 months, with fewer feeds per day.
How much ml of formula milk to be given to 3 weeks old baby?
A 3-week-old weighing about 3.7 kg needs around 555 ml (18.8 oz) per day at 150 ml/kg/day, which is roughly 69 ml (2.3 oz) per feed across 8 feeds. Weight varies, so multiply your own baby's weight in kg by 150.
How much formula for a baby by month from 0 to 3 months?
Roughly 600 ml (20 oz) a day at 1 month, 750 ml (25 oz) at 2 months and 900 ml (30 oz) at 3 months for typical weights. Per feed that is about 75 ml (2.5 oz), 107 ml (3.6 oz) and 129 ml (4.4 oz) with 8, 7 and 7 feeds respectively.
How often should a baby eat from birth to 3 months?
Newborns usually feed 8–12 times in 24 hours if breastfed and 7–8 times if formula-fed. By 3 months many babies feed 6–7 times a day. Early hunger cues matter more than the clock, and young newborns should not usually go much beyond about 4 hours between feeds without guidance from your pediatrician.
Does the same chart work for expressed breast milk?
Yes, the same volumes are a reasonable guide for bottles of expressed milk. Babies who feed directly at the breast are judged by feed frequency, wet diapers and weight gain rather than measured ounces.
Related reading
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