How Much Should My Baby Eat at Each Stage?

Quick Answer

There is no single correct amount a baby should eat at each stage, because intake varies significantly between babies of the same age, between feeds within the same day, and across different weeks. The most important guides are your baby's growth trajectory (assessed by your pediatrician at regular check-ups) and their own hunger and fullness cues rather than a fixed volume target. That said, general reference ranges by age are useful for reassurance and for identifying when intake may be genuinely outside the expected range. This guide covers typical intake across the key stages from newborn through 12 months.

Newborn to 1 Month: Colostrum and Early Milk Feeds

In the first days after birth, a baby's stomach is very small: roughly the size of a marble on day one, expanding to around the size of a large egg by day 10. This small capacity is perfectly matched to colostrum, the concentrated early breast milk produced in the first few days, which is rich in antibodies and nutrients and produced in small volumes that match the newborn stomach.

• Breastfed newborns: Feed 8 to 12 times per 24 hours in the first weeks. Because breast milk volume is difficult to measure directly, the most reliable indicators of adequate intake are consistent weight gain, 6 or more wet nappies per day after the first week, and regular dirty nappies
• Formula-fed newborns: Typically take 45 to 90ml (1.5 to 3 oz) per feed in the first week, increasing to around 90 to 120ml (3 to 4 oz) per feed as the stomach grows. Total daily intake in the first month is typically around 450 to 600ml (15 to 20 oz)

Feeding on demand rather than on a fixed schedule is recommended in this period. A newborn who is feeding well will show hunger cues (rooting, hand-to-mouth movements, turning the head) before crying, and satisfaction cues (releasing the nipple, relaxed open hands, falling asleep contentedly) after a successful feed.

1 to 3 Months: Establishing Feeding Patterns

By 1 month, most babies have regained their birth weight and are beginning to show more consistent feeding patterns. Feed frequency begins to gradually reduce as stomach capacity increases:

• Breastfed babies: Typically feed 7 to 9 times per 24 hours. As feeds become more efficient, individual feed duration shortens. A baby who was nursing for 30 to 40 minutes in the first weeks may complete a full feed in 10 to 15 minutes by 8 to 10 weeks
• Formula-fed babies: Typically take 120 to 150ml (4 to 5 oz) per feed, 5 to 7 times per day. Total daily formula intake in this period is typically around 750ml (25 oz), though this varies with weight. A commonly used guide is approximately 150ml per kilogram of body weight per day

Growth spurts are common at around 3 weeks, 6 weeks, and 3 months. During a growth spurt, a baby will temporarily increase feed frequency and volume for a few days before returning to their previous pattern. This is normal and is the mechanism by which milk supply increases to meet the baby's growing needs in breastfed babies.

3 to 6 Months: Increasing Volumes and Longer Stretches

Between 3 and 6 months, most babies settle into a more predictable feeding pattern with longer intervals between feeds and larger volumes per feed:

• Breastfed babies: Typically feeding 5 to 7 times per 24 hours. Many breastfed babies begin producing a longer sleep stretch at night in this period, which reduces the total number of feeds without reducing total intake, as daytime feeds compensate
• Formula-fed babies: Typically taking 150 to 210ml (5 to 7 oz) per feed, 4 to 6 times per day. Total daily formula intake in this period is typically 750 to 900ml (25 to 30 oz). Formula intake usually plateaus around this level and does not continue to increase significantly, as solid foods will begin to supplement milk from 6 months onward

6 to 9 Months: Introducing Solid Foods Alongside Milk

From 6 months, solid foods are introduced alongside continued milk feeds. In the early weeks of solid food introduction, the amounts eaten are very small and nutritionally insignificant. Milk remains the primary source of nutrition throughout this period:

• Milk intake: Breastfeeding on demand continues; formula-fed babies typically take 600 to 750ml (20 to 25 oz) per day, reducing slightly as solid food intake increases
• Solid food intake: Start with one small meal per day of a few teaspoons, increasing to two meals per day by around 7 months. Portions are small: 2 to 4 tablespoons of puree or a few pieces of soft finger food per meal is typical in the early weeks
• Iron: From 6 months, iron-rich foods should be a priority at solid meals. Breastfed babies' iron stores begin to deplete around this time and breast milk alone does not provide sufficient iron. Iron-rich first foods include pureed meat, lentils, beans, and iron-fortified cereals

9 to 12 Months: Growing Solid Intake and Reduced Milk Volumes

By 9 months, most babies are eating three solid meals per day with increasing variety and volume. Milk intake begins to decrease as solid food intake increases, though milk remains the primary nutritional source until 12 months:

• Milk intake: Breastfeeding continues on demand; formula-fed babies typically take 500 to 600ml (17 to 20 oz) per day. It is normal for milk intake to reduce as solid food intake grows, provided the baby is eating a nutritionally varied diet
• Solid food intake: Three meals per day with 1 to 2 snacks. Portion sizes are growing: a typical meal might include 4 to 6 tablespoons of a main food alongside vegetable and protein components. Textures should be progressing toward soft lumps, minced foods, and soft finger foods by 9 to 10 months
• Variety: By 9 months, the goal is broad variety across food groups: vegetables, fruit, protein (meat, fish, legumes, eggs), carbohydrates (bread, rice, pasta, oats), and dairy (yogurt, cheese). A varied diet at this stage is more important than precise portions

A Reference Guide by Age

Signs Your Baby Is Getting Enough

• Consistent weight gain along their growth curve at regular pediatric check-ups
• 6 or more wet nappies per day (for milk-fed babies)
• Meeting developmental milestones and appearing alert and active
• Satisfied after feeds, not persistently hungry or distressed between feeds
• Good skin tone and colour

Signs to Discuss With Your Pediatrician

• Weight gain that has dropped across two or more centile lines on the growth chart
• Consistently taking significantly less than the lower end of the age-appropriate range and appearing unsettled or hungry
• Difficulty swallowing, gagging at most meals, or persistent food refusal that is affecting growth
• Sudden significant reduction in intake without an obvious cause such as illness or teething

Key Takeaway

Feeding amounts vary considerably between babies of the same age and between different days for the same baby. Use the ranges in this guide as reassurance rather than targets, and follow your baby's hunger and fullness cues rather than aiming for a fixed volume. Milk is the primary source of nutrition for the entire first year; solid foods complement rather than replace milk feeds until after 12 months. Consistent weight gain along your baby's growth curve, assessed by your pediatrician, is the most reliable indicator that intake is appropriate.

Parents Also Ask

How to Introduce Solid Foods Without Stress
How Do I Know If My Baby Is Getting Enough Breast Milk?
When Can Babies Start Drinking Water?

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your pediatrician or a qualified healthcare provider with questions about your baby's nutrition and growth.