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How much breast milk does a baby need?
A well-known Australian study measured exclusively breastfed babies between 1 and 6 months old. On average they took about 26 ounces (788 mL) of milk a day, but individual babies ranged widely, from about 16 to 46 ounces. Most lactation guides round the average to about 25 ounces, with a usual range of about 19 to 30. Unlike formula-fed babies, their daily intake did not rise much from month to month.
So a bottle for a breastfed baby is usually about 25 ounces divided by the number of feeds in 24 hours:
| Feeds in 24 hours | Per bottle (average) | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 4.2 oz (125 mL) | 3.2-5.0 oz |
| 7 | 3.6 oz (105 mL) | 2.7-4.3 oz |
| 8 | 3.1 oz (90 mL) | 2.4-3.8 oz |
| 9 | 2.8 oz (80 mL) | 2.1-3.3 oz |
| 10 | 2.5 oz (75 mL) | 1.9-3.0 oz |
| 12 | 2.1 oz (60 mL) | 1.6-2.5 oz |
In the first month
Intake builds quickly in the first weeks: from small amounts in the first days (when colostrum is measured in teaspoons) to around 2 to 3 ounces per feed by the end of the first few weeks. If you are giving pumped milk to a newborn, ask your pediatrician or a lactation consultant for amounts, especially if your baby was born early.
After 6 months
As solid foods start, milk stays the main source of nutrition through the first year. Many babies keep drinking similar amounts at first, then slowly less as meals grow.
Tips for bottles of breast milk
- Store and send milk in small portions (2-4 oz) to avoid waste.
- Use paced bottle feeding: hold the bottle level, let your baby draw the nipple in, and pause every few minutes.
- Once your baby starts drinking, use the milk within 2 hours. See our breast milk storage guide.