How much milk does my baby need, by age?
Whether baby is breastfed or formula-fed, here are general benchmarks to know if intake is on track.
For a breastfed baby, it's hard (and usually unnecessary) to measure exact intake — instead, feeding frequency (8 to 12 times per 24 hours in the early weeks), diaper counts, and the growth curve tracked by your healthcare provider are the better guides.
For a formula-fed baby, a commonly cited general rule is about 150 to 200 ml per kilogram of body weight per day, spread across several feeds, though needs vary from child to child and decrease proportionally (per kg) as baby grows.
Breastfeeding and bottle tracking, starting solids and menus for the whole family.
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Around 4 to 6 months, as solid foods are gradually introduced, milk continues to be the main source of nutrition until roughly age 1, even though the amount taken per feed quietly decreases as solids take up a bigger role.
Hunger cues (hands to mouth, fussiness, rooting toward breast or bottle) and fullness cues (slowing down, turning away, relaxed body) remain the best day-to-day guide — baby is generally best placed to regulate their own intake, as long as they're given the chance to.
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This information is general and does not replace advice from your healthcare professional (doctor, midwife, nurse, pharmacist). Every situation is unique: always check with them before making a decision. In an emergency, call 911 or your local emergency services.
