Breastmilk Intake Per Feeding by Age
Breastfed infants should consume approximately 2-3 ounces per feeding in the first days of life, increasing to 3-4 ounces per feeding by 1 month, and 4-5 ounces per feeding after 1 month, though feeding should remain on-demand rather than volume-focused. 1
Newborn Period (First Days of Life)
Day 1: Newborns consume less than 100 mL total for the entire first day, distributed across 8-12 feedings, which translates to approximately 0.3-0.4 ounces (8-12 mL) per feeding. 1
Days 4-5: Breastmilk intake increases rapidly to 500-600 mL per day (17-20 ounces daily). With 8-12 feedings per day, this equals approximately 1.5-2.5 ounces (42-75 mL) per feeding. 1
First Month (Weeks 2-4)
After 1 month, total daily intake reaches 600-800 mL per day (20-27 ounces daily). 1 With typical feeding frequency of 8-12 times per day, this translates to approximately 2-3.5 ounces (60-100 mL) per feeding. 1, 2
Research confirms that exclusively breastfed 1-month-old infants consume a mean of 624 mL per day (21 ounces), which equals approximately 2-3 ounces per feeding with 8-10 feedings daily. 2
Ages 1-6 Months
3 months: Daily intake averages 735 mL (25 ounces), equating to approximately 3-4 ounces (75-92 mL) per feeding with 8-10 feedings per day. 2
6 months: Total daily intake reaches 700-900 mL (24-30 ounces), translating to approximately 4-5 ounces (88-113 mL) per feeding with 8-10 feedings daily. 1, 2
Research demonstrates that breastfed infants aged 1-6 months average 11 feedings per 24 hours (range 6-18), with individual feeding volumes averaging 76 grams (2.7 ounces) but ranging from 0-240 grams (0-8.5 ounces). 3
After 6 Months
12 months: Breastmilk intake averages 593 mL per day (20 ounces) in exclusively breastfed infants, though most infants at this age receive complementary foods. 2 This translates to approximately 3-4 ounces per feeding if nursing 6-8 times daily.
Critical Clinical Considerations
Feeding Frequency Trumps Volume
Breastfed infants should feed on-demand, 8-12 times per 24 hours (every 2-3 hours), rather than focusing on specific volumes per feeding. 1, 4 Frequent feeding (9-10 times daily) is associated with lower bilirubin concentrations, while fewer than 7 feedings daily increases hyperbilirubinemia risk. 5, 1
Wide Individual Variation
Individual feeding volumes vary dramatically—from 0 to 8.5 ounces per feeding—depending on whether the breast is more or less productive, time of day, and whether it's a paired or unpaired feeding. 3 Left and right breasts rarely produce equal volumes, and night feedings make important contributions to total intake. 3
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Do not restrict feeding frequency to achieve specific volumes per feeding. The number of feedings per day does not correlate with 24-hour milk production; infants self-regulate total intake regardless of feeding frequency. 3
Weight loss exceeding 10% may indicate inadequate intake but requires assessment of feeding technique and frequency before supplementation. 1 Optimize breastfeeding first; supplementation should only occur when medically necessary. 5, 1
Night feedings are essential, not optional. They contribute significantly to total daily intake and should be encouraged. 3
Special Populations
Late preterm infants (34-36 weeks) and early term infants (37-38 weeks) have decreased effective milk emptying and may consume only 45% of expected volumes per feeding compared to 95% in term infants. 6 These infants require closer monitoring for adequate intake. 5, 1
Very low birth weight infants (<1500g) should receive expressed mother's milk, which provides superior outcomes including reduced necrotizing enterocolitis and improved neurodevelopment. 5