Feeding by age · Month 3
How much should a 3-month-old eat?
Last reviewed November 2026 against AAP, CDC, NHS and WHO guidance · Sources
Quick answer
Most 3-month-olds take about 5–6 oz (150–180 ml) of formula or expressed breast milk per feed, 5–6 times in 24 hours, for roughly 24–32 oz (720–960 ml) a day. Breastfed babies usually nurse 7–9 times a day. Daily totals now stay fairly steady from week to week. Follow your baby's cues.
- Per feed
- 5–6 oz (150–180 ml)
- Feeds / 24h
- 5–6
- Daily formula
- 24–32 oz (720–960 ml)
On this page
How much should a 3-month-old eat?
| Formula | Breast milk | |
|---|---|---|
| Per feed | 5–6 oz (150–180 ml) | 3–5 oz (90–150 ml) per bottle of expressed milk; at the breast, your baby leads |
| Feeds in 24 hours | 5–6 | 7–9 breastfeeds |
| Daily total | 24–32 oz (720–960 ml) | About 750 ml (25 oz) |
| Typical gap | Every 3–4 hours, sometimes 4–5 | Every 2–4 hours |
What's different at 3 months?
Between 3 and 4 months, many formula-fed babies take about 5–6 oz (150–180 ml) per feed, about 5–6 times a day. The AAP's rule of thumb is about 2½ oz per pound of body weight a day, topping out around 32 oz (960 ml).
Breastfed babies usually nurse 7–9 times in 24 hours (follow cues, not the clock). Daily breast milk intake stays fairly steady at around 750 ml (25 oz) until about 6 months (HSE).
Three-month-olds are curious. Feeds can get short and distracted in busy rooms, then longer at night or first thing in the morning.
How much formula does a 3-month-old need by weight?
The AAP's rule of thumb uses weight instead of age: about 2½ oz of formula per pound of body weight a day, and no more than about 32 oz (960 ml). In the UK, the NHS uses a similar guide of 150–200 ml per kg a day after the first week. Both are rough checks, not targets.
| Baby's weight | Per day (AAP, 2½ oz per lb) | Per feed at 5–6 feeds |
|---|---|---|
| 11 lb (5 kg) | About 27.5 oz (825 ml) | 4.5–5.5 oz (135–165 ml) |
| 12.5 lb (5.7 kg) | About 31.5 oz (945 ml) | 5.5–6.5 oz (165–195 ml) |
| 14 lb (6.4 kg) | About 32 oz (960 ml), the 32 oz ceiling | 5.5–6.5 oz (165–195 ml) |
Sample 3-month-old feeding schedule
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| 6:30 am | Milk feed: 5–6 oz (150–180 ml) bottle, or a breastfeed |
| 10:00 am | Milk feed: 5–6 oz (150–180 ml) bottle, or a breastfeed |
| 1:30 pm | Milk feed: 5–6 oz (150–180 ml) bottle, or a breastfeed |
| 5:00 pm | Milk feed: 5–6 oz (150–180 ml) bottle, or a breastfeed |
| 8:00 pm | Milk feed: 5–6 oz (150–180 ml) bottle, or a breastfeed |
| 11:00 pm | Milk feed: 5–6 oz (150–180 ml) bottle, or a breastfeed |
Six feeds, with a late feed before your bedtime, suits many 3-month-olds. Some still wake once overnight. Responsive feeding (offering milk when your baby shows hunger cues) matters more than the clock.
What are hunger and fullness cues at 3 months?
Hungry
- Hands to mouth and lip smacking, even mid-play
- Turning toward the breast or reaching for the bottle
- Fussing that settles as soon as a feed starts
- Waking earlier than usual from a nap
Full
- Pulls off to look around and doesn't go back
- Pushes the bottle away or closes mouth
- Relaxed hands, happy babbling
- Gets playful or squirmy instead of sucking
What changes next month?
At 4 months, bottles often grow to 5–7 oz (150–210 ml) and many babies need fewer of them.
Read next: How much should a 4-month-old eat?
When to call your pediatrician
- A fever along with poor feeding, unusual sleepiness or fewer wet diapers, or any fever lasting more than a day.
- Far fewer wet diapers than usual (the AAP notes at least 4 wet diapers a day is reassuring), dark urine, a dry mouth or no tears.
- Refusing milk and food for most of a day, or feeding much less than usual for several days.
- Forceful or green vomiting, or vomiting with a swollen, hard belly.
- Red, black or white/pale gray poop, or large amounts of blood, mucus or water in the stool.
- Not gaining weight, or your pediatrician has asked you to watch intake and it's dropping.
- Trouble breathing, blue or gray lips, or your baby is limp or very hard to wake: call 911 (or your local emergency number) now.
If something feels wrong, trust that feeling and call. You never need a reason beyond worry.
Questions parents ask
How many ounces should a 3-month-old drink?
About 5–6 oz (150–180 ml) of formula per feed, 5–6 times a day, for roughly 24–32 oz (720–960 ml). A breastfed 3-month-old drinks about 750 ml (25 oz) a day, so bottles of expressed milk are often 3–5 oz (90–150 ml).
How often should a 3-month-old eat?
Formula-fed babies often eat every 3 to 4 hours (about 5 to 6 feeds), sometimes going 4 to 5 hours between daytime feeds (AAP). Breastfed babies usually feed more often, around 7 to 9 times a day.
Can I start solids at 3 months?
Not yet. The WHO, AAP and NHS all point to starting solid foods around 6 months, when your baby can sit, hold their head steady and swallow food. Breast milk or formula is all a 3-month-old needs.
How do I know my 3-month-old is getting enough milk?
Look at diapers and growth more than ounces. Six or more wet diapers a day, regular poops, a baby who seems content after most feeds, and steady weight gain at checkups are the signs the AAP points to. If any of these slip, call your pediatrician.
Related guides
- Baby feeding chart by age: ounces and mlA baby feeding chart from week 1 to 12 months: ounces and ml per feed, feeds per day and daily totals for formula and breast milk, with sources.
- How to tell if your baby is getting enough breast milkSigns a breastfed baby is getting enough: wet and dirty diapers by day, weight gain, swallowing and contentment after feeds, plus the warning signs to act on.
- Formula vs breast milk amounts: why the numbers differWhy breastfed babies take smaller bottles than formula-fed babies: daily totals by age, the 25 oz (750 ml) breast milk guide, and combo-feeding bottle sizes.
Free tools
Sources
Last reviewed November 2026. Numbers are ranges from these public health sources; 1 oz ≈ 30 ml.
- AAP · HealthyChildren.org: How Much Formula Does My Baby Need?
- AAP · HealthyChildren.org: Amount and Schedule of Formula Feedings
- HSE (Ireland's public health service): How much breast milk to express
- World Health Organization: Breastfeeding
- NHS: Your baby's first solid foods
- AAP · HealthyChildren.org: Fever and Your Baby
- AAP · HealthyChildren.org: How to Tell if Your Breastfed Baby is Getting Enough Milk
Feedoo Baby shares general information, not medical advice. Every baby is different. If you're worried about feeding, weight gain, diapers or your baby's health, call your pediatrician, midwife or health visitor.