A newborn's breast milk intake varies by age, but general guidelines and feeding charts provide average amounts and feeding frequency:

Breast Milk Amounts and Feeding Frequency for Newborns

• First few days after birth: Newborns typically consume small amounts of colostrum, about half an ounce (around 5 ml) per feeding on day 1, increasing to 1 to 2 ounces (30 to 60 ml) per feeding by the end of the first week

• Up to 2 weeks old: Babies usually feed 8 to 12 times per day, taking about 1 to 2 ounces per feeding initially, increasing to 2 to 3 ounces by 2 weeks

• 1 month old: Average feeding amounts increase to about 3 to 4 ounces per feeding, with 8 to 10 feedings daily

• 2 months old: Babies take about 4 to 5 ounces per feeding, feeding 6 to 8 times per day

• 4 to 6 months: Feeding amounts rise to 4 to 6 ounces per feeding, with 6 to 8 feedings daily

• 6 to 12 months: Babies usually consume 7 to 8 ounces per feeding, with 4 to 6 feedings per day

Feeding Guidelines Summary Chart

Age of Baby| Average Breast Milk per Feeding| Number of Feedings per Day
---|---|---
Newborn (0-1 wk)| 1 to 2 ounces| 8 to 12
2 weeks| 2 to 3 ounces| 8 to 12
1 month| 3 to 4 ounces| 8 to 10
2 months| 4 to 5 ounces| 6 to 8
4 to 6 months| 4 to 6 ounces| 6 to 8
6 to 12 months| 7 to 8 ounces| 4 to 6

Additional Notes

• Newborns feed on demand, typically every 2 to 3 hours, with cluster feeding common in the first weeks

• Breastfed babies may be harder to measure precisely; diaper output (wet diapers) is a good indicator of adequate intake

• The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends waking newborns to feed if they sleep more than 4 to 5 hours in early weeks

• A rough daily intake guideline is about 2.5 ounces of breast milk per pound of body weight

• Expressed breast milk amounts for newborns start very small and increase rapidly over the first week, from a few ml to about 30 ml per feeding by day 3

These guidelines help ensure newborns receive adequate nutrition while accommodating individual variability and hunger cues

. In summary, a newborn typically eats about 1 to 2 ounces of breast milk every 2 to 3 hours during the first week, increasing to 2 to 3 ounces by two weeks, with 8 to 12 feedings per day. This amount gradually increases as the baby grows