Your infant should consume approximately 212 ounces (75 mL) of infant formula per day for every pound (453 g) of body weight. This should be done on an average basis. But they will most likely adjust their consumption on a daily basis to fulfill their own unique requirements, so you should listen to them when they tell you when they’ve had enough.
- In the first week after birth, babies should be eating no more than about 1 to 2 ounces (30 to 60 ml) per feed.
- During the first month, babies gradually eat more until they take 3 to 4 ounces (90 to 120 ml) per feed, amounting to 32 ounces per day. Formula-fed babies typically feed on a more regular schedule, such as every 3 or 4 hours. Breastfed babies usually take smaller, more frequent feedings than formula-fed infants.
If your baby sleeps longer than 4 to 5 hours during the first few weeks after birth and starts missing feedings, wake them up and offer a bottle.
- By the end of the first month: Your baby will be up to at least 3 to 4 ounces (120 mL) per feeding, with a fairly predictable schedule of feedings about every 3 to 4 hours.
- By 6 months: Your baby will consume 6 to 8 ounces (180–240 mL) at each of 4 or 5 feedings in 24 hours.
Formula feeding based on body weight
Your infant should consume approximately 212 ounces (75 mL) of infant formula per day for every pound (453 g) of body weight. This should be done on an average basis. But they will most likely adjust their consumption on a daily basis to fulfill their own unique requirements, so you should listen to them when they tell you they’ve had enough. During the last few bites of their meal, they should be finished if they start to fidget or become easily distracted. If they drink the entire bottle and keep licking their lips afterward, it’s possible that they are still hungry.
However, there are upper and lower bounds to consider. You should talk to your baby’s pediatrician about this if it seems like your infant consistently wants more or less than this. Formula should not be given to your child in quantities greater than 32 fluid ounces (960 milliliters) in a single twenty-four hour period. Some infants have greater requirements for sucking and may only want to use a pacifier to do so after they have finished eating.
On-demand feeding
It is best to give a bottle to your breastfed newborn on demand, or whenever they are crying out in hunger, particularly in the beginning. Your infant will, as time goes on, start to develop a schedule that is relatively consistent with their own needs. As you gain experience and become more familiar with their signals and requirements, you will be able to plan their meals according to their routine.
Eating & sleeping patterns
The majority of babies who are fed formula no longer require a feeding in the middle of the night once they reach the age of between 2 and 4 months (or once they weigh more than 12 pounds [5.4 kg]). They are taking in a greater quantity of food during the day, and they have developed more consistent patterns of sleeping (although this varies considerably from baby to baby). Because of this increase in stomach capacity, they are now able to go longer without being fed during the day, sometimes for as long as four or five hours at a stretch.
If your infant continues to appear to be hungry very frequently or consume larger amounts, you can try to distract them by playing with them or giving them a pacifier. It is imperative that parents refrain from giving their infants excessive amounts of food because obesity can have its roots in childhood.
Getting to know your baby’s feeding needs
The most important thing to remember, whether you breastfeed or bottlefeed, is that your baby’s feeding needs are unique. No book―or website―can tell you precisely how much or how often they need to be fed or exactly how you should handle them during feedings. You will discover these things for yourself as you and your baby get to know each other.
More information
- How Often and How Much Should Your Baby Eat?
- Making Sure Your Baby is Getting Enough Milk
- Is Your Baby Hungry or Full? Responsive Feeding Explained (Video)
- Remedies for Spitty Babies
How Do I Calculate How Much Formula To Give My Baby?
The following serves as a general guide to the amount of infant formula your baby may require: From 5 days old to 3 months old, the daily amount of formula should be 150 mL per kilogram of body weight. Daily intake of 120 milliliters per kilogram of body weight for infants aged 3 to 6 months. 6 months to 1 year: 100 milliliters per kilogram of body weight each and every day.
How Much Formula For 6 Month Old
When they are 6 months old, babies typically consume between 6 and 8 ounces of formula four to five times a day. In a period of 24 hours, this amounts to anywhere between 24 and 32 ounces of formula in total.