Guides · Feeding
Breast milk amounts by age: how much does a baby drink?
Most breastfed babies take about 1 ounce (30 ml) of breast milk per feeding in the first few weeks, rising slowly to roughly 4.5 ounces (about 130 ml) per feeding by 12 months, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Because breast milk is rarely measured, wet diapers, growth and hunger cues tell you more than ounces do.
Breast milk amounts by age
These are the figures the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the NHS publish. No authority gives a precise number for every month, so where there is no published figure the table says so instead of guessing.
| Age | What is typical | Source |
|---|---|---|
| First days | Very small feeds on demand. An infant's stomach is about the size of an egg, so small, frequent feeds are normal. | AAP |
| First few weeks | About 1 oz (30 ml) per feeding, roughly every 2 hours, 10–12 sessions in 24 hours | AAP |
| Weeks to months | The amount per feeding rises slowly and gaps between feeds lengthen slowly. No fixed number is published. | AAP |
| Around 6 months | Solid foods start alongside milk. Breast milk or formula is still the main source of energy and nutrients. | AAP, NHS |
| 7–9 months | Around 3 meals plus about 4 milk feeds a day; breastfed babies adapt their milk intake to how much they eat | NHS |
| 10–12 months | Around 3 meals plus about 3 milk feeds a day | NHS |
| About 12 months | Tops out at roughly 4.5 oz (about 130 ml) per feeding | AAP |
The amounts are per feeding for babies fed at the breast or with expressed milk. Oz to ml conversions use 1 oz ≈ 30 ml.
Why breast milk is hard to measure
At the breast you cannot see how many ounces move. Babies also differ: some like to snack more often, and others drink more at one time and go longer between feeds, as the AAP puts it. A baby who feeds often is not necessarily getting less, and a baby who feeds less often is not necessarily getting more.
That is why pediatric guidance leans on feeding on demand and on signs that your baby is getting enough, rather than on a fixed amount per feed.
How to tell your baby is getting enough
The AAP points to three practical checks:
- Wet diapers: 2 to 3 a day in the first few days after birth, then at least 5 to 6 a day after the first 4 to 5 days.
- Stools: by the fourth day, at least 4 a day. Stool frequency varies more than wet diapers and depends on whether the baby is breastfed or formula-fed.
- Growth: your pediatrician plots weight on a growth chart at check-ups. Babies who stay in healthy percentile ranges are probably getting a healthy amount.
You can log diapers and feeds together in the app, then show the history at the check-up. See our guides to newborn diapers, newborn weight loss and gain and baby weight percentiles.
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Download free →Feeding expressed breast milk from a bottle
Pumping parents often ask how many ounces to put in a bottle. The AAP numbers for bottle-feeding are written for babies who are bottle-fed, and breastfed babies usually take smaller, more frequent feeds than formula-fed infants. Treat them as context, not as a target for expressed milk.
The AAP also notes that drinking from a bottle is faster and takes less effort than breastfeeding, so bottle-fed babies may overfeed. It is better to offer less, since you can always give more. Pausing during the feed gives your baby a chance to show they are full.
For schedules, storage and freezer stash, see the pumping schedule guide and breast milk pumping basics. If your baby refuses the bottle, read bottle refusal in breastfed babies.
How long milk stays the main food
The WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months, with complementary foods added from then and breastfeeding continuing up to 2 years or beyond. The NHS says solids should start when your baby is around 6 months old and that the baby will still get most of their energy and nutrients from breast milk or first infant formula. Our 6–12 month feeding schedule shows how meals and milk feeds fit together.
When to talk to your pediatrician
- Fewer wet diapers than the numbers above, or no stools by the fourth day.
- Your baby is not gaining weight as expected. The AAP advises not waiting too long between feeds in this case, even if it means waking the baby, and talking to your pediatrician about how often and how much to feed.
- Your baby seems to want to eat all the time, even when full.
- Babies born even a little early can be sleepy and may not take enough in the early weeks and need closer follow-up.
Every baby is different. This article is general information, not medical advice. If you are worried about your baby's weight gain, wet diapers or feeding, talk to your pediatrician or a lactation consultant.
Frequently asked questions
How many ounces of breast milk does a newborn drink per feeding?
According to the AAP, most breastfed infants take about 1 oz (30 ml) per feeding in the first few weeks, an amount that increases slowly over time.
How much breast milk does a 6-month-old drink?
No exact figure is published for 6 months. The amount per feeding keeps rising slowly toward roughly 4.5 oz at 12 months (AAP). Around 6 months solids start, and breast milk or formula remains the main source of nutrition.
How do I know if my breastfed baby is getting enough milk?
Count wet diapers (at least 5 to 6 a day after the first 4 to 5 days), expect at least 4 stools a day by day 4, and have your pediatrician check weight on a growth chart.
How much expressed milk should I put in a bottle?
There is no single amount. Breastfed babies usually take smaller, more frequent feeds than formula-fed babies. Offer a smaller amount and give more if your baby still shows hunger cues, and ask your pediatrician if unsure.
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