What is the recommended amount of breast milk (Breast Milk) per feed for a newborn?

Recommended Amount of Breast Milk per Feed for Newborns

Newborns should be fed on demand, approximately 8-12 times per 24 hours (every 2-3 hours), with breast milk intake starting at less than 100 mL total on day 1 and increasing to 500-600 mL per day by days 4-5. 1

Breast Milk Volume by Age

• Day 1: Less than 100 mL total for the first day of life 1
• Days 4-5: Rapidly increases to 500-600 mL per day 1
• After 1 month: Reaches 600-800 mL per day 1
• After 6 months: Reaches 700-900 mL per day 1

Feeding Frequency and Patterns

• Newborns should feed on demand, at least 8-10 times in 24 hours (approximately every 2-3 hours) 1, 2
• Frequent feeding (8-10 times/day) decreases newborn weight loss, reduces the need for supplements, and lowers the risk of clinically significant hyperbilirubinemia 1
• Night feedings are common and make an important contribution to total milk intake 3
• The average number of breastfeedings is 11 ± 3 times in 24 hours (range: 6-18) 3

Average Volume per Feed

• The average volume per breastfeeding is approximately 76 ± 12.6 g (range: 0-240 g) 3
• This represents about 67% of the milk available in the breast at the beginning of feeding 3
• Volume per feed varies based on:
  • Whether it's the more or less productive breast 3
  • Time of day 3
  • Whether it's the first or second breast in a paired feeding 3

Clinical Considerations

• Mothers experience more copious milk production (lactogenesis II) by the third to fourth day after delivery 1
• Postnatal weight nadir typically occurs after 2-3 days with an average weight loss of 6-7% in breastfed infants 1
• Weight loss exceeding 10% may indicate inadequate intake but is not always pathological 1
• By days 11-13, approximately two-thirds of mothers may have milk production less than the established lactation target of 440 mL per day 4

Important Recommendations

• Breast milk should be the first choice for feeding newborns 1, 5
• Continuous rooming-in with frequent, exclusive breastfeeding is recommended 1, 2
• Avoid breast milk supplements unless medically necessary or breastfeeding technique and frequency have been optimized first 1
• When supplementation is necessary, expressed maternal milk is preferred over formula 1

Potential Pitfalls

• Inadequate human milk intake in the first days after delivery can contribute to longer hospital stays and higher readmission rates, particularly in late preterm and early term infants 1
• Don't force infants to finish feedings when showing satiety cues 2
• Avoid supplementing with formula unless medically necessary, as this can interfere with establishing breastfeeding 2
• Left and right breasts rarely produce the same volume of milk, which is normal 3