How Much and How Often Should My Baby Eat? Birth to 12 Months

Age	Breastfeeding	Formula	Good to know
First week	8-12+ feeds a day, every 1-3 hours	Up to about 1-2 oz (30-60 mL) per feed, every 2-3 hours	Pediatrician may advise waking to feed until back to birth weight.
Weeks 2-4	8-12 a day, about every 2-4 hours; cluster feeding is normal	Rising to about 3-4 oz (90-120 mL) per feed by 1 month, every 3-4 hours	Growth spurts can mean extra feeds for a few days.
1-4 months	On cue, about every 2-4 hours	On average about 2.5 oz per lb per day, feeds every 3-4 hours	No more than about 32 oz of formula a day.
4-6 months	On cue	Working up to 6-8 oz per feed, 4-5 feeds a day by 6 months	Solids not before 4 months; most babies ready around 6.
6-12 months	On cue; still the main nutrition	6-8 oz, 4-5 times a day, less as solids grow	Water about 4-8 oz a day from a cup (AAP).
12+ months	Continue as long as parent and child want	Switch gradually to whole cow's milk	Meals and snacks become the main source.

Weight (lb)	Per feed (oz)	Per feed (mL)	Daily total (oz)
6	1.25-2	35-55	12-18
7	1.5-2.25	40-65	14-21
8	1.5-2.5	45-70	16-24
9	1.75-2.75	55-80	18-27
10	2.0-3.0	60-90	20-30
11	2.25-3.25	65-100	22-33
12	2.5-3.5	70-110	24-36 (cap ~32)

Estimates only. Babies self-regulate; follow hunger and fullness cues. Not a prescription for an individual baby.

Feed on cues, not the clock

• Early hunger cues: stirring, mouth opening, rooting (turning toward the breast or bottle), hands to mouth. Crying is a late cue; calm the baby first, then feed.
• Fullness cues: slowing down, turning away, relaxed open hands, content and drowsy.
• Babies regulate their own intake and vary day to day. If a baby finishes fast and roots for more, offer more; if they stop early, that's fine too.

Typical ranges by age

• First week: 8-12+ feeds a day. Formula is often about 0.5-1 oz a feed on day 1, working up to 1-2 oz (30-60 mL) by the end of the week, every 2-3 hours.
• Weeks 2-4: 8-12 feeds a day; formula rising toward 3-4 oz (90-120 mL) a feed by 1 month.
• 1-4 months: the AAP describes babies taking, on average, about 2.5 oz (75 mL) of formula per pound of body weight per day, split across feeds every 3-4 hours. It's a rule of thumb, not a prescription; babies self-regulate. Many top out around 25-30 oz a day.
• 4-6 months: often 6-8 oz a feed, 4-5 feeds a day by 6 months.
• 6-12 months: breast milk or formula is still the main nutrition while solids grow.
• No more than about 32 oz of formula in 24 hours. Never dilute formula or add cereal to a bottle unless the doctor says to.

Good to know

• Until a newborn is back to birth weight, pediatricians often advise waking them to feed if about 3 hours have passed.
• Babies getting any breast milk usually need 400 IU of vitamin D a day from soon after birth; babies drinking about 32 oz of formula a day get enough from formula.
• Diaper counts and weight checks are the best signs a baby is getting enough. See the diaper card.
• For how to breastfeed (latch, positions, pumping and common problems), see the three breastfeeding guides.
• These are estimates, not targets. Ask the pediatrician about any feeding worry.