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🍼 Feeding · 0 to 3 years

🍼 Baby bottle amounts: how much milk by age

Every baby has their own appetite. The numbers below are rough averages, not targets on a scoreboard. Feed on demand: baby decides when they are full. Never force them to finish a bottle, and never withhold a top-up if they are clearly still hungry.

What you need

  • Bottles in practical sizes: 150 ml (5 fl oz) and 240 ml (8 fl oz), plus a small 60 ml (2 fl oz) bottle for top-ups.
  • Your infant formula tin with its supplied scoop.
  • Safe drinking water suitable for infants (boiled and cooled tap water, or low-mineral bottled water if tap water is unsafe).

Guide to bottle amounts by age

  1. 1. The standard mixing rule

    The classic standard is 1 level scoop of powder per 30 ml (about 1 fl oz) of water. Always pour the water into the bottle first, then add the powder. Crucial note: scoop sizes and ratios vary across countries and brands, so always follow the exact instructions printed on your specific formula tin.

  2. 2. At the maternity unit (Days 1 to 5)

    10 to 50 ml (about 0.3 to 1.7 fl oz) per feed, 7 to 8 times every 24 hours. Newborn tummies are tiny at first, so amounts ramp up slowly. The hospital or midwife team will guide you both day by day.

  3. 3. Weeks 1 to 4

    At 1 to 2 weeks: 60 to 90 ml (2 to 3 fl oz, 2 to 3 scoops), 7 to 8 bottles, roughly 450 to 600 ml (15 to 20 fl oz) per day. At 2 to 4 weeks: 90 to 120 ml (3 to 4 fl oz, 3 to 4 scoops), 6 to 7 bottles, around 600 to 750 ml (20 to 25 fl oz) per day.

  4. 4. Months 1 to 4

    At 1 to 2 months: 120 to 150 ml (4 to 5 fl oz), 5 to 6 bottles, 600 to 800 ml (20 to 27 fl oz) daily. At 2 to 3 months: 150 to 180 ml (5 to 6 fl oz), 5 bottles, 750 to 850 ml (25 to 29 fl oz). At 3 to 4 months: 180 ml (6 fl oz), 4 to 5 bottles, 750 to 900 ml (25 to 30 fl oz).

  5. 5. Months 4 to 12

    At 4 to 6 months: 180 to 210 ml (6 to 7 fl oz), 4 bottles daily. Once solids start between 6 and 12 months: 210 to 240 ml (7 to 8 fl oz), 2 to 3 bottles alongside meals, keeping at least 500 to 800 ml (17 to 27 fl oz) of milk daily.

  6. 6. Ages 1 to 3 years

    Toddler milk or whole milk: around 200 to 250 ml (7 to 8.5 fl oz) twice a day (morning and bedtime), totalling roughly 400 to 500 ml (14 to 17 fl oz). Always verify prep instructions if using fortified growing-up formulas.

  7. 7. Choosing the right bottle

    Skip the marketing gimmicks. Look for a bottle that is genuinely easy to dismantle and wash, certified BPA-free, and fitted with a teat flow rate matched to your baby's age and pace. Wide-neck bottles are generally much easier to clean without specialised gymnastics.

  8. 8. Full tummy or still hungry?

    Baby has had enough if they turn their head away, spit the teat out, or drift off contentedly, with 5 to 6 wet nappies daily and a steady curve on their growth chart (your red book, personal health record, or clinic chart). If they drain every drop and cry for more 3 days in a row, step up by one scoop (+30 ml or 1 fl oz) and let them take what they want.

  9. 9. Real talk

    Once baby starts drinking, bacterial transfer from saliva starts the clock: throw away any leftover milk after 1 hour (or 30 minutes if warmed). When appetite suddenly spikes, mix the usual feed plus a small 30 ml (1 fl oz) sidecar. Less waste, and either parent can measure it half-asleep at 3:00 AM.

Classic mistakes

  • ❌ Forcing them to clean the bottle Charts show averages, not contract targets. If your baby stops with 40 ml left, respect their cues and call the feed done.
  • ❌ Adding extra powder to promote longer sleep Concentrated formula strains immature kidneys and triggers severe constipation. Always stick to the exact scoop-to-water ratio.
  • ❌ Reheating unfinished leftovers later Bacteria multiply fast once baby's mouth touches the teat. Whatever remains in the bottle after 1 hour goes straight down the sink.

Questions dads ask

How much milk should a 2-month-old drink?

On average, about 150 to 180 ml (5 to 6 fl oz) per bottle across roughly 5 feeds a day, totalling 750 to 850 ml (25 to 29 fl oz). Remember, baby's individual appetite and steady gain on their growth chart matter far more than the exact millimetres.

Should we wake baby for a feed?

In the early weeks, or if your doctor, midwife, or health visitor flags slower weight gain, you may need scheduled wake-ups. Once weight gain is tracking well on their growth charts, healthy babies can generally set their own schedule.

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This guide doesn't replace medical advice. When in doubt, call your doctor or your local emergency number.