Yes, some newborns 4–8 weeks old can drink 5 oz per feeding if they grow well and follow hunger cues, but younger babies usually need smaller volumes.
Parents often meet this question during a late-night feed, bottle in hand, wondering whether what is in the bottle matches what a tiny baby can handle.
This article shares what health bodies say about newborn feeding volumes, how a 5 oz bottle fits into those ranges, and how to read your baby’s signals. By the end, you will see when a 5 oz bottle is reasonable, when it stretches a newborn stomach, and how to adjust bottle size step by step.
Can A Newborn Drink 5 Oz? Age, Weight, And Context
Health organizations usually define a newborn as a baby from birth to about 2 months of age. During this stage, average feed volumes climb quickly. The American Academy of Pediatrics explains that babies move from about 1–2 oz per feed in the first week to 3–4 oz per feed by the end of the first month, often reaching a total of around 32 oz of formula in 24 hours at that point.1
A common rule of thumb for formula is around 2½ oz per pound of body weight per day.2 A 9 pound baby might take in around 22–24 oz across the day, while a 12 pound baby might land nearer 28–30 oz. How you divide that total across bottles decides whether 5 oz makes sense. Fewer feeds usually mean larger bottles, while frequent feeds keep bottle size smaller.
For a baby only a few days old, 5 oz in one go sits far above usual ranges and can overload a small stomach. For a baby closer to 6–8 weeks with steady weight gain and longer gaps between feeds, a 5 oz bottle can fall inside normal patterns.
| Baby Age | Typical Volume Per Feed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 0.5–1 oz | Tiny stomach, feeds every 1–3 hours |
| Days 2–3 | 0.5–2 oz | Volume rises as milk comes in |
| Days 4–7 | 1–3 oz | More predictable feeding pattern |
| Week 2 | 2–3 oz | 8–12 feeds across 24 hours |
| Week 3 | 2–3.5 oz | Some stretches between feeds lengthen |
| Week 4 | 3–4 oz | Many babies near 32 oz per day |
| Weeks 5–8 | 3–5 oz | Fewer feeds, larger bottles for some babies |
Within that range, a 5 oz bottle usually shows up for babies closer to the end of the newborn stage, not in the first week or two. The real issue is age, body weight, daily totals, and how your baby behaves during and after feeds.
How Much Should A Newborn Drink Per Feed?
To judge whether 5 oz fits, it helps to view a whole day instead of one bottle. Pediatric guidance for formula suggests that most babies drink about 1–2 oz per feed in the first week, then 2–3 oz per feed in weeks two and three, and 3–4 oz per feed by the end of the first month, with a daily total near 24–32 oz during that first month window.1
If a baby eats 8 times a day and takes 4 oz at each feed, that adds up to 32 oz, which matches those ranges. The same baby might spread intake across 10 smaller bottles or 6 larger ones.
Formula Versus Expressed Breast Milk Volumes
Bottle size depends a little on what fills the bottle. Formula tends to move through the stomach more slowly, so formula-fed newborns often take fewer, slightly larger bottles. Expressed breast milk may come in smaller, more frequent feeds if parents follow nursing rhythms.
The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that by the end of the first month, many babies, whether breastfed or formula-fed, settle into around 3–4 oz per feeding every 3–4 hours.1 For breastfed babies receiving bottles, steady growth, plenty of wet diapers, and content moods usually matter more than hitting a set ounce target every time.
How Stomach Size Relates To A 5 Oz Bottle
A newborn stomach expands fast but still has limits. On day one it holds only small amounts. By one week it can manage 1–3 oz at a time, and by one month most babies seem comfortable at 3–4 oz. Jumping straight to 5 oz for a young baby who feeds often can strain that capacity and raise the chance of spit-up or discomfort.
For a baby closer to 6–8 weeks with longer gaps between feeds and a higher body weight, a 5 oz bottle may match their needs. The best guide is not the calendar alone but how your baby handles that bottle during the feed and in the hour afterward.
Reading Your Baby’s Cues Around 5 Oz Feeds
Charts and averages give a starting point, yet the clearest answer to “can a newborn drink 5 oz?” comes from your baby’s own cues. Watch what happens before, during, and after a feed with that size bottle.
Signs 5 Oz Might Be Too Much
These signals suggest that a bottle is more than your baby wants at one time:
- Frequent spit-up or vomiting soon after feeds
- Gagging, coughing, or turning away before the bottle is finished
- Stiff body, back arching, or hard-to-settle crying after feeds
- Pulling legs toward the tummy or showing a lot of gassy discomfort
If several of these show up with 5 oz bottles, try offering 3–4 oz more often instead, and talk with your baby’s doctor about the pattern.
Signs Your Newborn Handles 5 Oz Well
Some newborns closer to the two-month mark handle 5 oz without trouble. Signs that this volume works include:
- Clear hunger cues before feeds and calm interest in the bottle
- Steady sucking and swallowing without choking or struggling
- Relaxed body and content mood after feeding
- Plenty of wet diapers and regular soft stools
Babies who drink 5 oz, stay comfortable, and gain weight steadily are usually telling you that bottle size fits their needs right now.
Medical Guidance On Newborn Feed Volumes
Medical guidance helps frame a single 5 oz feed. The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that formula-fed babies usually rise from 1–2 oz feeds in the first week to around 3–4 oz by the end of the first month, with daily totals near 32 oz.1 AAP advice also uses a rough daily estimate of 2½ oz of formula per pound of body weight for many babies, with room for individual variation.2
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shares similar ranges and stresses that volume and timing work best when caregivers watch hunger and fullness cues instead of forcing a fixed number of ounces every time.3 Both sources encourage small, gradual increases in bottle size guided by growth and behavior.
You can see these ranges in more detail in the AAP page on the amount and schedule of formula feedings and the CDC guidance on how much and how often to feed infant formula.
When 5 Oz Bottles Raise Concern
Any bottle size can reveal a deeper issue, yet 5 oz feeds for an especially young or small newborn deserve closer attention. Reach out to your baby’s doctor promptly if you notice:
- Repeated projectile vomiting after feeds of any size
- Low interest in feeding or falling asleep before taking much milk
- Few wet diapers or dark, strong-smelling urine
- Poor weight gain or weight loss between checkups
- Deep tiredness, weak crying, or floppy muscle tone
These signs can appear with 3 oz bottles or 5 oz bottles alike and call for individual medical advice. Bring a simple record of recent feeds and diapers to the visit so the doctor can see patterns clearly.
Sample Bottle Plans That Include 5 Oz Feeds
Many parents want to know how 5 oz bottles fit into a full day of feeds. The next table shows sample patterns for full-term newborns who receive formula or expressed breast milk. These are not strict rules, just illustrations of how daily intake might spread across feeds.
| Age | Feeds Per Day | Usual Bottle Volume |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | 8–12 | 1–2 oz |
| Week 2 | 8–10 | 2–3 oz |
| Weeks 3–4 | 7–9 | 3–4 oz |
| Weeks 5–6 | 6–8 | 3–4.5 oz |
| Weeks 7–8 | 6–7 | 4–5 oz |
These plans assume a full-term baby with no medical concerns and reflect ranges from AAP and CDC guidance. Preterm babies or babies with health conditions may follow different patterns set by their care team.
Practical Tips For Easier Newborn Feeding Decisions
Feeding questions rarely stop at “can a newborn drink 5 oz?” They also touch sleep, growth, and how confident you feel from day to day.
Keep A Short Feeding Log
Short notes can turn guesswork into clear patterns. Write down time, volume, and how your baby seemed after each feed to see how 5 oz bottles relate to growth and mood.
Match Bottle Flow, Position, And Pace
A fast-flow nipple or flat feeding position can push milk faster than your baby prefers, making any bottle feel like too much. A slower-flow nipple, semi-upright hold, and paced bottle feeding—with pauses that let your baby lead—keep 4 oz and 5 oz feeds easier to handle.
The number on the bottle is only one piece of the picture. Newborns do well when caregivers blend medical guidance, growth checks, and moment-to-moment cues to decide whether 5 oz or a smaller feed fits best. This can feel reassuring for you.