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

> How much and how often babies eat, from the first week to 12 months.

Stage: newborn - Topic: Feeding - Page: https://www.askcladle.com/guides/newborn/newborn-feeding-amounts

Grounded in: CDC infant formula and breastfeeding guidance, AAP HealthyChildren ("Amount and Schedule of Formula Feedings", "How to Tell if Baby Is Getting Enough Milk") and the widely used weight-based estimate for formula (about 2.5 oz per pound per day). General information for healthy, full-term babies; preemies and babies with health conditions may need a different plan.

Reviewed: 2026-10

## TLDR

- Feed on hunger cues, not the clock. Crying is a late cue.
- First week: 8-12+ feeds a day; formula builds from about 0.5-1 oz to 1-2 oz a feed, and 3-4 oz by 1 month.
- Until back to birth weight, wake the baby if about 3 hours have passed. Breastfed babies need 400 IU of vitamin D daily.

## 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.

**Feeding by age**

| 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. |

Sources: {'name': 'CDC: How Much and How Often to Breastfeed', 'url': 'https://www.cdc.gov/infant-toddler-nutrition/breastfeeding/how-much-and-how-often.html'}; {'name': 'AAP HealthyChildren: Amount and Schedule of Formula Feedings', 'url': 'https://healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/formula-feeding/Pages/Amount-and-Schedule-of-Formula-Feedings.aspx'}

**Formula estimate by weight (first 6-8 weeks)**

| 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.

Sources: {'name': 'AAP HealthyChildren: Amount and Schedule of Formula Feedings', 'url': 'https://healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/formula-feeding/Pages/Amount-and-Schedule-of-Formula-Feedings.aspx'}; {'name': 'Good Inside: Baby Feeding by Weight quick reference (2026)', 'url': None}