The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of the two new methods of milk feeding regimes compared with a conventional method on performance, blood metabolites and health characteristics of Holstein dairy calves. Forty five Holstein female dairy calves were used in a completely randomized design. Calves were randomly allocated to one of the three treatments consisting of: 1) conventional regime (4 L/d milk from d 1 to 56), 2) step-down regime (6 L/d milk from d 1 to 30, 4 L/d from d 30 to d 45 and 2 L/d from d 45 to d 56), and 3) step-up/step-down regime (6 L/d from d 1 to d 5, 8 L/d from d 5 to d 15, 10 L/d from d 15 to d 35, 8 L/d from d 35 to d 42, 6 L/d from d 42 to d 47, 4 L/d from d 47 to d 52 and 2 L/d from d 52 to d 56, respectively). Neonatal calves received enough colostrum until d 3 of life then placed in their individual places. Calves received equal portions of milk twice daily and starter had same ingredients in all groups. Starter intake was recorded weekly for each calf throughout the experiment and all calves were weaned at d 56 of life. Calves weight measured weekly and skeletal parameters recorded at d 1, 56, and 70 of age. Statistical analyses were conducted over three periods: pre-weaning (week 1 to 8), post-weaning (week 8 to 10) and the complete period (week 1 to 10). Results indicated that total dry matter intake for calves received step-up/step-down regime was higher compared with other groups (P 0.05). Average daily gain for step-up/step-down regime was higher than other groups during the pre and post-weaning and entire periods (P 0.01). Feed efficiency in step-down and step-up/step-down calves were higher compared to conventional regime (P 0.01). Starter intake was greater for step-up/step-down at pre-weaning and entire periods than other treatments (P 0.05). Body length, heart girth, withers height and hip height were greater for step-up/step-down group than conventional and step-down groups (P 0.01). Fecal score, days scoured, and rectal temperature did not differ among experimental groups. Total protein and BHBA were lower for step-up/step-down calves during the pre-weaning and entire periods (P 0.05); however, there were no differences for glucose and albumin among treatments. In conclusion, the results of present study indicated that novel milk feeding regimes compared to conventional pattern improved performance of new born dairy calves. Keywords : Calf, Milk feeding pattern, Starter intake, Average daily gain.