How much milk does a 1 month old baby need?

A baby who weighs 4 kg will need about 600 ml of milk per day, as they require approximately 150 ml per kilogram of body weight. The small amount per feeding for babies up to one month old is because their stomachs can only hold about 2.5 to 5 fluid ounces. So the amount of milk will be given in 6 to 8 feedings.

How much milk does a baby need who weighs 7kg and is aged 5 months?

You need about 840ml per day. Infants aged three to six months require around 120ml per kilogram of body weight each day, so a baby who weighs 7kg would need approximately 7kg * 120ml which is 840ml. Divide this amount by the number of daily feedings to get the quantity for one feeding.

Can it be used for both breast milk and infant formula?

Both breast milk and infant formula can be used in terms of daily milk volume and amount per feeding. This also applies to expressed breast milk that is fed with a bottle. Babies who are exclusively breastfed usually feed more often and receive slightly less at each feeding, but the total amount per day is very similar.

When does your baby's milk supply start to decrease?

The amount of milk usually starts to decrease gradually when you start introducing solid foods. This generally happens around six months of age. It's normal and a sign of healthy development that the amount of milk decreases gradually as your baby eats more fruit, vegetable, and cereal purees.

Baby's Milk Intake Calculator

Your baby

Baby's age

The daily amount per kilogram peaks in the first weeks, then eases as your baby grows and starts solids.

Baby's weight

Feedings per day

Choose your baby's age band and enter their weight and how many feeds they have in a day. The calculator estimates the milk needed per day and per feeding, for breast milk or formula.

Compare with the simple rules of thumb

See the 150 ml/kg and 2.5 fl oz/lb estimates next to the age-based amount.

Milk per day (ml)

Per feeding (ml)

Milk per day

Per feeding: ml
Hours between feeds
Age-based rate (ml/kg/day)

Milk per week: ml
Milk per month: ml

1 to 3 months: a common guideline is about 150 ml/kg a day. Feeds are usually 6 to 8 in 24 hours.

These amounts apply to both breast milk and formula. Breastfed babies often feed a little more often at slightly smaller volumes, but the daily totals overlap.

Treat the result as a range, not a target. Six or more wet diapers a day, steady weight gain, and a content baby after feeds say more than any single number. Babies gain roughly 150 to 200 g a week early on, so recheck every 2 to 4 weeks.

These figures are approximate and educational. They do not replace a doctor's assessment. If your baby seems constantly hungry, rarely finishes a feed, or is slow to gain weight, talk to your pediatrician, midwife, or health visitor.

How the amount changes with age

Feeding a baby requires many estimations and one of the first challenges is how much to give. This infant feeding calculator will calculate a clear daily amount based on your baby's age and weight, then divide it into appropriate amounts for each meal. It can be used for both breast milk and formula but the results are just a starting point and should be adapted to your baby's actual behavior.

How much milk does a baby need?

The amount of milk required is determined by two factors: the weight and age of the baby. The weight determines the total quantity while the age determines the recommended amount per kilogram of body weight. These values are highest in the first few weeks after birth, gradually decreasing as the baby gets older and begins eating solid foods.

When you select an age group, the tool multiplies your baby's weight by the recommended amount of milk per kilogram of body weight for that age group. The following are the recommended amounts for each age group and their corresponding weights in kilograms.

Age	Milk per day
Newborn (first days)	60 ml per kg
Up to 1 month	180 ml per kg
1 to 3 months	150 ml per kg
3 to 6 months	120 ml per kg
6 to 9 months	100 ml per kg
9 to 12 months	90 ml per kg

In the first few days milk production is low because a newborn's stomach is small and colostrum is limited. Over the next several weeks milk production peaks and then declines monthly. A one month old baby can only take in about 2.5 to 5 ounces of liquid, which is why feedings are small at first and need to be more frequent.

The calculation method of the tool:

This calculation can be done in two easy steps. First, multiply the amount of milk per month by your weight to find out how much you need for a day. Then divide that total by the number of feedings to get the amount per feeding.

\text{Milk per day} = \text{age rate (ml/kg)} \times \text{weight (kg)}

\text{Per feeding} = \frac{\text{Milk per day}}{\text{Number of feedings}}

For example, let's take a two-month-old baby who weighs 5 kg. For babies aged between one and three months, the amount of milk per kilogram of body weight is 150 ml, which equates to about 750 ml in total for the day. If this is spread over six feeds, that comes to approximately 125 ml each time, which means roughly every four hours.

How often should I feed my baby?

For younger babies the amount per feed is lower but the number of feeds higher. As their stomachs get bigger the amount per feed increases and the interval between them lengthens. As every baby is different you can enter your own feeding frequency, but the following are typical:

Age	Feeds per day
Newborn	8 to 12 (every 2 to 3 hours)
1 to 3 months	6 to 8 (every 3 to 4 hours)
3 to 6 months	5 to 6
6 to 12 months	3 to 5, alongside solids

Is it breast milk or formula?

The daily milk quantity given here is for both options. Babies who are breastfed generally have slightly more frequent feedings and a slightly lower amount per feeding but the total quantity is roughly the same. Even if breastmilk is pumped out and fed with a bottle, you can use the same daily and feeding amounts as guidelines.

Is the baby fed?

The values given here are guidelines and not fixed standards that must be met. Most babies take in slightly different amounts of milk at each feeding but still get the amount they need. The clearest sign is not from the bottle but from the baby themselves.

A well-fed baby will usually show the following signs: steady growth along their growth curve, good suckling, infrequent hunger cues and plenty of wet nappies. When breastfeeding is established this is usually more than six wet nappies a day. As babies grow they tend to gain about 150-200g per week in the first few months so it's worth checking milk supply again every two to four weeks as your baby gets older.

When weaning begins, the amount of milk usually starts to decrease gradually. This generally happens about six months after birth. The gradual reduction in breastmilk intake while baby eats more pureed and finger foods is a sign of healthy growth and not a problem.

This calculator is for general guidance and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. If you have concerns about your baby's feeding or weight gain, please consult a doctor, midwife or healthcare professional.

Frequently asked questions

How much milk does a baby need?: To calculate the amount of milk you need to produce, multiply your baby's weight (in kilograms) by the appropriate amount of milk per kilogram bodyweight for their age. In the first few days after birth, babies require about 60ml/kg, up until one month old they require 180ml/kg, between one and three months they require 150ml/kg, between three and six months they require 120ml/kg, between six and nine months they require 100ml/kg, and between nine and twelve months they require 90ml/kg. Then divide the total daily amount by the number of feedings to get the amount per feeding.
How much milk does a 1 month old baby need?: A baby who weighs 4 kg will need about 600 ml of milk per day, as they require approximately 150 ml per kilogram of body weight. The small amount per feeding for babies up to one month old is because their stomachs can only hold about 2.5 to 5 fluid ounces. So the amount of milk will be given in 6 to 8 feedings.
How much milk does a baby need who weighs 7kg and is aged 5 months?: You need about 840ml per day. Infants aged three to six months require around 120ml per kilogram of body weight each day, so a baby who weighs 7kg would need approximately 7kg * 120ml which is 840ml. Divide this amount by the number of daily feedings to get the quantity for one feeding.
Can it be used for both breast milk and infant formula?: Both breast milk and infant formula can be used in terms of daily milk volume and amount per feeding. This also applies to expressed breast milk that is fed with a bottle. Babies who are exclusively breastfed usually feed more often and receive slightly less at each feeding, but the total amount per day is very similar.
When does your baby's milk supply start to decrease?: The amount of milk usually starts to decrease gradually when you start introducing solid foods. This generally happens around six months of age. It's normal and a sign of healthy development that the amount of milk decreases gradually as your baby eats more fruit, vegetable, and cereal purees.

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Disclaimer: This calculator is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. Our calculators are under active development, and results may be inaccurate, incomplete, or unsuitable for your situation. Always verify the figures independently and seek advice from a qualified professional before relying on them. We make no warranties and accept no liability for any loss or decision arising from use of this tool.

References

NHS: Bottle feeding advice
UK National Health Service guidance on how much milk babies need and how often to feed.
CDC: How Much and How Often to Feed Infant Formula
U.S. Centers for Disease Control guidance on infant feeding amounts and frequency.
HealthyChildren.org (AAP): Amount and Schedule of Baby Formula Feedings
American Academy of Pediatrics guidance on milk amounts by age and weight.