Feeding your baby is a crucial part of taking care of them as a parent or caregiver.

One of the most frequently asked questions about infant nutrition is “how much milk should my baby have each day?” Knowing the answer to this question can help ensure your child is properly nourished and growing at a healthy rate. Here, we’ll discuss the daily milk requirements for babies, as well as factors that can influence how much milk a baby needs.

How much milk should a newborn baby have each day?

The amount of milk a baby needs per day depends on their age, size, and feeding method. For newborns, the general rule is that they need to drink about 2-3 ounces of milk per feeding, and they’ll need to be fed every 2-3 hours.

This means that over the course of a day, a newborn will typically drink around 16-24 ounces of milk. Babies who are breastfed tend to drink smaller volumes more frequently than babies who are bottle-fed formula and may feed more often than formula-fed babies.

How much milk should a 1-month-old baby have each day?

As babies get older, their milk requirements will also change. At one month old, babies typically still need to drink around 2-3 ounces of milk per feeding, but they’ll likely go longer periods between each meal, such as 3-4 hours.

This means that over the course of a day, a 1-month-old baby may drink between 20-24 ounces of milk.

How much milk should a 2-month-old baby have each day?

By two months of age, many babies are starting to establish more of a feeding schedule, and they may go longer periods between each feeding compared to when they were newborns.

At two months old, babies typically still need to drink around 2-4 ounces of milk per feeding but may be able to go longer periods between feedings, such as 4-5 hours. This means that over the course of a day, a 2-month-old baby may drink between 24-32 ounces of milk.

How much milk should a 3-month-old baby have each day?

At 3 months old, babies typically still need to drink around 2-4 ounces of milk per feeding, but they may be able to go even longer periods between each meal, such as 5-6 hours.

This means that over the course of a day, a 3-month-old baby may drink between 24-32 ounces of milk.

How much milk should a 4-month-old baby have each day?

By four months old, many babies are starting to eat solid foods in addition to drinking milk, which can affect their milk intake.

However, babies at this age still need around 2-4 ounces of milk per feeding and may be able to go even longer between feedings, such as 6-7 hours. This means that over the course of a day, a 4-month-old baby may drink between 24-32 ounces of milk, depending on their feeding schedule and overall intake.

How much milk should a 6-month-old baby have each day?

As babies approach six months of age, they may start to rely more on solid foods for nutrition and gradually drink less milk. However, babies at this age still need around 2-4 ounces of milk per feeding and may have around four to six feedings per day.

This means that over the course of a day, a 6-month-old baby may drink between 16-24 ounces of milk.

How much milk should a 9-month-old baby have each day?

By nine months of age, many babies are eating a wide variety of foods and may be drinking less milk overall.

The average baby of this age may have three to four feedings per day, but they may drink anywhere from 16-30 ounces per day, depending on their eating habits, individual preferences, and overall health.

How much milk should a 12-month-old baby have each day?

At one year old, most babies are eating a balanced diet that includes a variety of foods, and they may slowly be weaned off of milk and onto other beverages like water and juice.

The average baby of this age may have around two to three feedings per day and may drink anywhere from 14-20 ounces of milk per day, depending on their dietary intake and how well they are weaning off the bottle or breast.

Factors that can influence how much milk a baby needs

While the above guidelines can be helpful for parents and caregivers who want to ensure their baby is getting enough milk, there are also many factors that can influence a baby’s milk intake. Some of these include:.

Age and weight of the baby: As babies grow, their milk requirements will also change, as we discussed above.
Feeding method: Babies who are breastfed may feed more frequently than formula-fed babies, and may also consume varying amounts of milk depending on the volume their mother produces.
Growth spurts: Babies may go through periods where they need extra calories, such as during a growth spurt, and may need to feed more frequently to get the nourishment they need.
Activity level: Babies who are more active may need more calories and therefore more milk than babies who are less active.
Overall health: Babies with health issues or who were born prematurely may have different milk requirements than healthy, full-term babies.
Baby’s individual preferences: Some babies may simply prefer to drink more or less milk than others, and this can influence their overall intake.

Conclusion

Feeding your baby can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience, but it can also be confusing, particularly when it comes to figuring out how much milk your baby needs each day.

By following the general guidelines we’ve outlined above and paying attention to your baby’s individual feeding needs, you can help ensure that your child gets the nourishment they need to grow and develop healthily.