How much colostrum per day?

December 5, 2025 •

4 min read

At birth, a newborn's stomach is no larger than a cherry, so the tiny, concentrated amounts of colostrum produced in the first days are perfectly suited to their needs. Knowing exactly how much colostrum per day is typical can provide immense reassurance to new parents during this early and often stressful feeding period.

Quick Summary

A newborn requires only small, potent amounts of colostrum in the first 24 to 72 hours, perfectly aligning with their tiny stomach capacity. The volume per feeding and daily total increases rapidly as the baby grows and the mother's milk transitions from colostrum to mature milk.

Key Points

Small amounts are normal: A newborn's stomach is tiny (cherry-sized on day one), perfectly suited for the small volume of nutrient-dense colostrum.
Volume increases over days: A newborn consumes roughly 1 ounce (30 mL) of colostrum total on day one, and this volume increases significantly as their stomach grows and milk transitions.
Immunity and gut health: Colostrum is crucial for providing powerful antibodies and coating the baby's intestines to protect against infection.
Responsive feeding is key: Feed your newborn 8-12 times in 24 hours based on their hunger cues, not a strict schedule.
Track diaper output: The most reliable way to monitor intake is by watching for increasing wet and dirty diapers and healthy weight gain.
Overfeeding is unlikely: It is highly improbable to overfeed a breastfed baby with colostrum because they regulate their own intake naturally.

Understanding Colostrum Volume in the First Days

For new parents, the sight of just a few milliliters of thick, yellowish liquid can be alarming. Many worry that this small quantity isn't enough to nourish their tiny baby. However, this 'liquid gold' is incredibly potent and is all a healthy newborn needs in the initial phase. The volume of colostrum matches the size of the baby's stomach, which is very small at birth and expands rapidly over the first week.

The First 24 Hours: A Few Teaspoons

On the first day of life, a newborn's stomach is about the size of a marble or cherry, with a capacity of just 5–7 mL per feeding. A mother produces roughly 30 mL (about 1 ounce) of colostrum over the entire 24-hour period, which works out to about a teaspoon per feed if the baby eats 8-12 times. This small but nutrient-dense amount is perfect for coating the baby's gut and establishing a healthy immune system without overwhelming their immature digestive system.

Days 2-4: Gradual Increases

Between days two and four, as the newborn's stomach grows to the size of a walnut, the daily intake of colostrum and early transitional milk increases. On day two, a baby may consume around 8.9 mL per feed. By day three, this increases significantly, with a baby taking in approximately 22–27 mL (0.75–0.9 oz) per feeding, and the total daily volume reaching around 8 ounces (240 mL). This is when a mother often feels her milk 'coming in,' with breasts becoming fuller and heavier.

Day 10 and Beyond: The Mature Milk Phase

By day ten, the newborn's stomach has grown to the size of a large chicken egg. At this point, the milk has transitioned fully to mature milk, which is thinner and higher in fat and sugar than colostrum. The volume of milk consumed per feeding continues to increase, eventually leveling out to meet the baby's demands as they grow.

Colostrum vs. Mature Milk: A Comparison


Feature	Colostrum (First 1-5 Days)	Mature Milk (After 2 Weeks)
Appearance	Thick, yellowish, or orange	Thinner, whiter, or creamy
Consistency	Thick and sticky	Watery
Nutrients	High in protein, minerals, and antioxidants	Balanced nutrients, high in fat and sugar
Immune Factors	Extremely high in antibodies (sIgA)	Contains antibodies but in lower concentrations
Digestion	Easy to digest, lower in fat	Well-balanced for sustained growth
Volume	Small amounts (e.g., 5-30mL daily)	Larger volumes (e.g., 500-700mL+ daily)
Purpose	Immunity building, gut preparation	Sustained growth and development

Factors Affecting Colostrum Volume and How to Help

While the volumes of colostrum are generally low, some factors can influence a mother's production. It's important to remember that 'supply and demand' is the key principle of milk production. Experience and mode of delivery may play a role. To help establish a good supply, initiate breastfeeding within the first hour and feed on demand 8-12 times a day. Hand expression can be more effective than pumping initially, and skin-to-skin contact helps release oxytocin, which aids milk production.

Recognizing Signs of Adequate Intake

Instead of focusing on the exact volume, which is difficult to measure with breastfeeding, parents should watch for reliable indicators that their baby is getting enough colostrum and, later, milk. Look for signs such as the baby appearing content and satisfied after feeds, being alert when awake, and audible swallowing during feeding. Crucially, monitor diaper output: the number of wet and dirty diapers should increase daily, transitioning from black meconium to yellow, seedy stools by day five. Healthy weight gain after the initial loss is also a key indicator, with babies typically regaining their birth weight by 10-14 days.

Potential Concerns and Conclusion

It is extremely rare for a mother to produce no colostrum, and it's normal if it feels like only a small amount is available. Overfeeding a breastfed baby with colostrum is highly unlikely as they typically regulate their intake based on hunger cues. If there are concerns about milk supply or the baby isn't showing signs of adequate intake, it's best to consult a healthcare provider or lactation consultant. The small volumes of colostrum in the first days are precisely what a newborn needs for a strong start. Focusing on frequent, on-demand feeding and observing signs of adequate intake provides confidence in nourishing your baby. You can learn more about the physiology of breastfeeding in this resource: The physiological basis of breastfeeding - NCBI.

Summary of Newborn Feeding

Day 1 (Cherry-sized stomach): Total colostrum is about 30 mL (1 oz) over 24 hours, with each of the 8-12 feeds containing only 5-7 mL. Small volumes are normal and sufficient.
Day 3 (Walnut-sized stomach): Stomach capacity increases to approximately 22-27 mL per feed, and the mother's milk begins its transition.
Day 10 (Egg-sized stomach): Stomach size and milk volume intake increase significantly, with milk fully transitioning to mature milk.
Responsive Feeding: Focus on feeding on demand, following your baby's hunger cues (rooting, sucking hands), rather than strict schedules.
Diaper Output: Monitoring increasing wet and soiled diapers is a reliable indicator of adequate intake, especially in the early days.
Seek Professional Advice: If you have concerns about your baby's feeding, weight gain, or diaper output, consult a healthcare provider or lactation consultant.

Frequently Asked Questions

On the first day, a newborn's stomach is only the size of a cherry, and they will only need small amounts. Per feeding, this is about 5-7 mL (one teaspoon), and the total intake over 24 hours is roughly 30 mL or 1 ounce.

Colostrum is the thick, yellowish first milk, packed with high concentrations of protein, minerals, and immune-boosting antibodies. Mature milk, which comes in around day 5, is thinner, whiter, and higher in fat and sugar to support rapid growth.

Yes, it is. Colostrum is highly concentrated with nutrients and antibodies, making a little go a long way. The small volume is perfectly matched to the newborn's tiny stomach and immature kidneys, which cannot handle larger fluid amounts.

It is nearly impossible to overfeed a breastfed newborn with colostrum. Babies naturally stop sucking when full, and responsive feeding ensures they regulate their intake appropriately based on their cues.

Feeling like you're not producing much is common due to the small volume and thick consistency. The best way to stimulate production is through frequent feeding or hand expression. Signs of adequate intake like wet diapers are better indicators than perceived volume.

For the first few days, newborns should be fed on demand, which is typically 8 to 12 times in a 24-hour period. Frequent feeding is essential for stimulating your milk supply.

Focus on reliable signs like an increasing number of wet diapers (starting with one on day one, two on day two, etc., until six by day six), a change in stool from black to yellow, audible swallowing, and a baby who seems content after feeding.