Wondering how much pumped breastmilk your baby needs for a feed? So many mums wonder about this! You’re not alone in worrying about getting it just right! In my practice, I’ve worked with so many breastfeeding mums who feel unsure about how much pumped milk their baby will need for a feed if they’re going to be away from bub or they’re introducing a bottle. I’m going to help you understand how to figure out how much pumped milk your baby will need for a single feed so you can make sure your baby gets enough milk, while avoiding overfeeding them (or wasting your precious liquid white gold!). Read on and I’ll explain why giving the right amount is important, walk you through your baby’s milk needs, and share practical tips to ease your worries.
What You Need to Know About Giving Pumped Milk
First, it’s important to know that offering top-ups of pumped milk when not needed can decrease your milk supply. When your baby drinks from the breast less, your body makes less milk. Breastfeeding works on supply and demand, so frequent feeds at the breast are key to keeping a good milk supply. If you’re thinking about introducing a bottle, check out this info to help you figure out if giving pumped milk (or any other top ups) feels right for your situation: Partner Feeding and Breastfeeding: Finding the Right Balance and The Top Up Trap: How Formula Hurts Your Milk Supply. If giving pumped milk is the right decision for you and bub, you might like to talk to an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) to help work out a plan for giving baby your pumped milk while protecting your milk supply. You can book a home visit or video call with me here.
Another thing you need to know about giving your breastfed baby bottles is that some babies can develop a preference for the bottle and start refusing the breast. Some babies go happily between breast and bottle with no issues, others find the faster flow of the bottle easier and less effort on their part (babies are smart little creatures!) and decide that’s how they want all feeds. This can be pretty heartbreaking situation for mums who have their heart set on breastfeeding, so it’s something to think about before you introduce a bottle. The paced bottle feeding technique can help avoid this, but it’s not a guarantee.
Why Knowing the Right Amount of Pumped Milk Matters
Knowing the right amount of pumped milk your baby needs is important because you’ll feel more prepared and confident. No more second-guessing if you’ve pumped enough or worrying that your baby will go hungry. Knowing the right amount to give can also help protect your milk supply, reduce the chance of overfeeding and spit ups, and can keep baby’s weight gain in a healthy range. When you know the right amount, you’re less likely to waste precious milk. Let’s be real: every drop of pumped milk is like liquid gold!
How to Work Out How Much Pumped Milk to Give Baby
The normal amount of a breastmilk feed is very different to formula recommendations, so the maths equation based on baby’s weight that many midwives and child health nurses use to calculate top ups and bottle quotas does not apply here. Using the equation based on baby’s weight leads to overfeeding which can be uncomfortable for bub and have them gaining excessive amounts of weight.
Now that’s out of the way, let’s talk about newborns. Their tummies are tiny, and they only need small amounts of milk at each feed in the early days. In the first week, a feed can be as small as a few drops on day 1 to around 50-60mL by day 5. By the time they’re closer to two weeks, this amount will increase to about 90 -120mL per feed. It’s really important to remember that every baby is different. Some babies might have a little less and some might have a little more, and some feeds might be bigger than others, just like us. Following your baby’s lead will help you work out what’s right for them.
Once your baby reaches about four weeks old, things stabilise. From four weeks to six MONTHS of age, the amount of milk your baby needs each day stays pretty much the same, somewhere between 700 and 900 mL per day. This is because the make-up of your milk changes over time and continues to be perfectly tailored to meet their needs as they grow. There’s no need to increase the amount just because your baby is growing bigger. In the later half of bub’s first year when they’re eating more and more solids, their daily intake of milk goes down. Just how much it goes down and how quickly is different for each baby. Remember, follow your baby’s lead!

But what about the amount for each feed? Figuring out the right amount isn’t as tricky as it seems. Here are some tips to guide you:
1. Divide the Daily Total
From four weeks to 6 months, babies typically need between 700-900 mL of breastmilk each day. I usually go off 800mL because it’s in the middle. Divide this daily total by the number of feeds your baby usually has in a day. For example, if your baby feeds about every 3 hours, that’s 8 feeds a day.
800mL daily divided by 8 feeds a day = 100mL
They’ll need about 100mL per feed. Remember some babies may need a bit more and some a bit less. Follow your baby’s cues to help you know when they’ve had enough. There are no guidelines for babies older than 6 months since every baby is different in how they start to feed less. If your baby is 6 months or older, keep offering the same amount as before 6 months and follow their lead. It’s ok if they don’t finish the whole bottle.
2. Know Your Newborn’s Needs
If your baby is in their first couple of weeks, smaller amounts are enough. Here are the averages for the first few days:
- Day 1: a few drops – 5ml/feed
- Day 2: 5 – 15ml/feed
- Day 3: 15 – 30ml/feed
- Day 5: 45 – 60 ml/feed
Don’t worry if it feels like a tiny amount—their tummies (and your milk supply) grow quickly! Between 5 days and 2 weeks, the amount per feed will keep increasing up to around 90-120mL per feed.
3. Watch Baby’s Cues
Every baby is unique. Some might have smaller, more frequent feeds, while others have more milk each feed and feeds further apart. And it’s very easy to accidentally overfeed your baby when using a bottle because the flow is so fast. Watch for signs that your baby’s full and had enough to make sure they get enough milk without overfeeding. Check out this info about paced bottle feeding technique to help avoid overfeeding bub and avoid bub developing a preference for the bottle.
Confidently Feeding Your Baby Pumped Milk—Without Overfeeding or Wasting Milk
Figuring out how much pumped milk your baby needs doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. By understanding their natural milk intake, following their cues, and using simple calculations, you can feel confident that your baby is getting just the right amount—without overfeeding or wasting your precious milk. Every baby is different, so trust your instincts and adjust as needed. And if you’re still unsure or need extra support, I’m here to help! Feel free to reach out or book a consult so we can create a plan that works best for you and your baby. 💛
Have you tried giving your baby pumped milk to your baby yet? How did it go? DM me on Instagram to let me know 😊
If you have questions or concerns, you might like to get in touch with an IBCLC to help you to work out what’s going on and develop a plan that suits your individual situation. You can book a home visit or online consultation with me below.
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