How much breast milk or formula does my baby need?

Every baby is different

There’s no single right amount of milk. The CDC and the AAP both say that how much and how often a baby feeds depends on the baby. Some feeds are long, some are short, and babies generally take what they need and stop when they’re full.

The numbers below are rough guides, not targets. Your baby’s cues, wet diapers and steady growth tell you more than any chart.

Breastfed babies: feed on cue

You can’t see how much a breastfed baby drinks, and you don’t need to. Feed when your baby shows hunger signs. The CDC calls this breastfeeding on demand.

• First days: your baby may want to feed as often as every 1–3 hours. Frequent feeding helps build your milk supply.
• First weeks and months: most exclusively breastfed babies feed every 2–4 hours, about 8–12 times in 24 hours. Some cluster feed (as often as every hour at times), and some have a longer 4–5 hour stretch.
• Sleepy newborns: at first, babies need to feed every 2–4 hours, so you may need to wake your baby. Patting, stroking, undressing or a diaper change can help (CDC).

A baby who has had enough milk usually seems content and drowsy after the feed (CDC).

Formula-fed babies: a rough guide by age

Formula-fed babies often settle into a more regular pattern than breastfed babies, who tend to take smaller, more frequent feeds (AAP).

• First days: start with 1–2 oz (30–60 ml) every 2–3 hours, and offer more if your baby shows hunger signs (CDC). Most newborns feed 8–12 times in 24 hours.
• End of the first month: about 3–4 oz (90–120 ml) a feed, roughly every 3–4 hours (AAP).
• By 6 months: about 6–8 oz (180–240 ml) at each of 4–5 feeds in 24 hours (AAP). Even so, the AAP says most babies should drink no more than an average of about 32 oz (960 ml) a day.

Once solids start, the US and UK give different guides, so use one or the other rather than mixing them:

• US guide (AAP), 8–12 months: roughly 24 oz (710 ml) a day of formula if you’re not breastfeeding, alongside food.
• UK guide (NHS): around 600 ml (20 oz) a day at 7–9 months, and about 400 ml (13½ oz) a day at 10–12 months, alongside 3 meals.

Another rule of thumb from the AAP: about 2½ oz (75 ml) of formula a day for every pound (453 g) of body weight, up to that average of about 32 oz (960 ml) in 24 hours. If your baby regularly seems to want much more or much less than this, talk to your pediatrician.

Responsive feeding: follow your baby’s lead

Responsive feeding means feeding when your baby is hungry and stopping when they’re full, rather than going by the clock or the bottle markings.

Signs your baby may be hungry (CDC, NHS):

• hands to mouth, or sucking on fists or fingers
• turning their head toward the breast or bottle, and opening their mouth (rooting)
• puckering, smacking or licking their lips
• clenched hands, or getting restless

Crying is a late sign of hunger. Try to feed before your baby gets upset.

Signs your baby may be full (CDC):

• closing their mouth
• turning their head away from the breast or bottle
• relaxed hands

Your baby doesn’t need to finish the bottle (CDC, NHS). The NHS says forcing more milk than a baby wants can be distressing and can lead to overfeeding.

Bottle feeding responsively

Whether the bottle holds formula or expressed breast milk, the NHS suggests:

• Hold your baby close and semi-upright, supporting their head.
• Brush the teat against their lips and let them draw it in when they open wide.
• Keep the bottle nearly horizontal, just slightly tipped, so milk flows steadily.
• Let your baby take breaks, and give them plenty of time.
• Never prop a bottle or leave your baby alone with one: they may choke.

Is my baby getting enough?

For formula-fed babies, the NHS says weight gain and diapers are the best guide:

• around 6 wet diapers a day from a few days after birth, with clear or pale yellow urine
• pale yellow or yellowish-brown poo within the first week, and at least 1 poo a day at that stage
• steady weight gain at routine checks

For breastfed babies, regular weight checks and a baby who seems content after feeds are reassuring. If you’re worried about how much your baby is feeding, how they’re growing, or how many wet diapers they have, talk to your pediatrician, health visitor or a lactation consultant. You don’t need to wait for the next check.

After 6 months

Once your baby starts solid food, around 6 months, breast milk or formula is still their main source of nutrition. As they eat more food, they’ll gradually need a little less milk (CDC). Keep feeding on cue. See milk and solids together for how the balance shifts, and how much should my baby eat for food amounts.

At 12 months, infant formula is no longer needed. See cow’s milk at 12 months.

Vitamin D

Breast milk is low in vitamin D, and formula is fortified with it.

• US: the CDC says babies fed only breast milk, or less than about 32 oz (960 ml) of formula a day, need vitamin D drops starting shortly after birth. The AAP also suggests asking your pediatrician about iron supplements during the first year. See iron-rich first foods.
• UK: the NHS recommends a daily vitamin D supplement of 8.5–10 micrograms from birth for breastfed babies and babies having less than 500 ml (about a pint) of formula a day, and vitamins A, C and D from 6 months. Vitamins A, C and D continue every day for all children aged 1 to 4. Babies having 500 ml or more of formula a day don’t need drops.

Ask your pediatrician or health visitor which drops are right for your baby.

Where US and UK advice differs

• Formula amounts late in the first year. The AAP’s 8–12 month menu includes roughly 24 oz (710 ml) of formula a day if you’re not breastfeeding. The NHS gives lower guides: about 600 ml (20 oz) at 7–9 months and about 400 ml (13½ oz) at 10–12 months. Both say to follow your baby’s cues.
• Vitamins. The US cut-off for vitamin D drops is about 32 oz (960 ml) of formula a day. The UK cut-off is 500 ml (about 17 oz), and the NHS adds vitamins A and C from 6 months, continuing to age 4.

Both agree on the basics: feed on cue, never force a feed, and always make up formula exactly as the label says. See choosing and preparing formula.