Keep An Eye On Growth
The most important thing is that your baby is growing and gaining weight at a healthy rate. Checking in regularly with your pediatrician will ensure that he or she is tracking your babys growth curve, which is the best way to determine whether your little one is getting enough formula. Typically, infants gain between half an ounce and an ounce of weight every day for their first three months, and around half an ounce a day between the ages of three months and six months.
Its normal for babies to lose as much as 10% of their birth weight in the first five days, so dont panic if you notice your newborns weight dipping in those early days. By the age of two weeks, your little one should be back up to their birth weight.
How Much Infant Formula Should I Give My Baby Based On Their Body Weight
There’s a rough guide based on your baby’s body weight that you can use to work out how much formula to give. This only applies though if you don’t breastfeed as well as bottle-feed and your baby isn’t eating solid foods yet.
Most full-term babies need between 150ml and 200ml of formula per kilogram of their body weight every day . So, if your baby weighs 3kg, they’ll probably need between 450ml and 600ml of formula over a 24-hour period to satisfy their hunger. However, they may want less than this in the first week or so, as they will only have a tiny tummy .
These measurements are a rule of thumb. Just as your appetite varies with each meal, your baby isn’t going to take exactly the same amount at each feed . So don’t force your baby to finish a bottle, even if there is only a little bit left .
If your baby has been prescribed a specialised formula, check with your GP or health visitor on how much you should offer each day .
First Weeks And Months
Some babies need additional vitamin D.
Babies who are fed breast milk exclusively or who receive both breast milk and infant formula need extra vitamin D, starting shortly after birth. They can get this through over-the-counter vitamin D drops. Babies receiving only infant formula do not need vitamin D drops. Infant formula is fortified with vitamin D.
- Over the first few weeks and months, the time between feedings will get longerabout every 3 to 4 hours for most infant formula-fed babies. This means you may need to wake your baby to feed. You can try patting, stroking, undressing, or changing the diaper to help wake your baby to feed.
- Some feeding sessions may be long, and other feedings short. That is okay. Babies will generally take what they need at each feeding and stop eating when they are full.
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- Breastmilk is the feeding option of choice for infants.
- If breastmilk is not available, then infant formula is a suitable alternative.
- Breastmilk or formula should be the main milk used until the baby is 12 months old.
- Choose a formula to match the age and needs of your baby, and always read the label carefully as labels for other products can look very similar to those for infants.
- If you believe your baby has a problem with feeding, discuss this with your maternal and child health nurse or doctor before switching brands.
Giving Baby The Bottle
Make yourself comfortable and cuddle your baby close to you, holding baby gently but firmly. Its better for your baby to be on a slight incline so any air bubbles rise to the top, making burping easier.
Put the teat against your babys lips. Your baby will open their mouth and start to suck. Keep the neck of the bottle at an angle so its filled with formula or milk.
When your baby stops sucking strongly or when about half of the formula or breastmilk has gone, gently remove the bottle and see whether baby wants to burp. Once youve tried burping your baby, you can offer the bottle again.
Its a good idea to change the direction your baby is facing for part of the feed or at different feeds. This helps to stimulate your babys senses equally.
Holding, cuddling and talking to your baby during feeding will help baby develop and grow. Its also a great opportunity to bond with your baby.
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Specialized Nutrition Baby Formula
If your baby has a food allergy or other specific nutrition needs, specialized nutrition formulas can help meet his needs.
For cows milk allergy, your babys doctor might recommend Similac® Alimentum®. Its a hypoallergenic, extensively hydrolyzed formula for infants, including those with colic symptoms due to protein sensitivity and food allergies.3,4
To learn more about food allergies and the formula options, check out our Food Allergy and Colic section.
Similac® NeoSure® is specially designed for babies born prematurely to promote catch-up growth on the outsideand on the inside. Its a nutrient-enriched formula that has increased protein, vitamins, and minerals compared to term infant formula.
For more information on nutrition for babies born prematurely, check out our Preemie section.
Amount Of Formula As Per Babys Requirement
A babys formula milk consumption not only depends on the weight but also the age. As they grow older their nutritional and calorie needs go higher and they eat more. During the first few weeks they might drink an average of around 70 ml of formula in one feed. Between the first 2 weeks and 2 months they would consume around 75-105 ml in each feed that would add up to a total ranging between 450 ml and 735 ml in 1 day. When they are about 2-6 months old, they would consume between 105 ml and 210 ml of infant milk formula in a feed.
The formula milk for a 6-month baby totals around 900 ml a day and they would want between 210 ml and 240 ml at each feed. Also, by this time, most babies would be introduced to solid foods and their intake of formula would gradually drop down to around 600 ml a day.
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Bottles For Expressed Breastmilk Or Infant Formula
When buying bottles, remember that:
- You will need at least three large bottles with leak-proof caps, discs and teats.
- Plastic bottles are better, because glass breaks more easily.
- Bottles should be smooth on the inside surface , so they are easy to clean properly.
- Bottles should have clearly marked measurement guides that will not wear off over time.
How Much Should Formula
Formula-fed babies typically poop three to four times a day, but some go as long as three or four days without a bowel movement. As long as your babys poops are soft and passed without a struggle, you dont have to be concerned. But call your pediatrician if your little one doesnt poop for more than five days.
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How Much Should My Baby Drink
In the first few weeks, mix 2- to 3-ounce bottles for your newborn. Gradually increase this amount as you become familiar with your baby’s eating patterns and appetite. Here’s a general look at how much your baby may be eating at different stages:
- On average, a newborn drinks about 1.5-3 ounces every 2-3 hours. This amount increases as your baby grows and is able to take more at each feeding.
- At about 2 months, your baby may be taking 4-5 ounces at each feeding and the feedings may be every 3-4 hours.
- At 4 months, your baby may be taking 4-6 ounces at each feeding, depending on the frequency of feedings and his or her size.
- By 6 months, your baby may be taking 6-8 ounces every 4 to 5 hours. This also depends on whether you’ve introduced any baby food.
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Do Not Use Leftover Formula
Use a fresh bottle for every feed. Throw away any leftover formula or expressed breastmilk following the feed. Never give your baby leftovers. They can grow bacteria that may make your baby ill.Do not add other food, such as baby rice cereal, to the milk. If you think your baby needs more food than recommended, talk to your maternal and child health nurse.
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How Much Formula Does My Baby Need
Newborn babies need quite small amounts of formula to start with. By the end of their first week, most will need around 150 to 200ml per kilo of their weight a day until they’re 6 months old. This amount will vary from baby to baby.
Although most babies settle into a feeding pattern eventually, they vary in how often they want to feed and how much they want to drink.
Feed your baby when they show signs that they want it. Babies tend to feed little and often, so they may not finish their bottle. Having a big feed does not mean your baby will go longer between feeds.
The amount of formula may change if your baby is unwell, in pain due to teething, or having a growth spurt.
How Many Ounces Do Formula
The American Academy of Pediatrics explains that after the first few days, your formula-fed newborn will drink around 2 to 3 ounces of formula with every feeding.
Theyll need to eat about every three to four hours. This is compared to a breastfed baby, who will usually eat every two to three hours.
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Topics Covered For Formula Feeding
If your baby is healthy, skip the “What to Do” section. Go directly to the topic number that relates to your question for advice:
How Much Do Breastfed Babies Need To Eat
If youre exclusively breastfeeding, you wont be measuring your babys ounces for feedings. Instead, youll simply be feeding your baby on demand, or whenever they want to eat.
In general, for the first months of life, a newborn will eat around every two to three hours, but this will vary. The feeding timeline starts from the time your baby starts breastfeeding.
For example, in the first few weeks, if your baby starts eating at 2 p.m. and nurses for 40 minutes, they may be ready to eat again at 4 p.m. Hello, human milk bar!
Sometimes your baby may nurse more or less frequently. Your baby may want to nurse more if theyre sick. Nursing is a comfort mechanism and immune booster. They may want to eat more if theyre going through a growth spurt and need some extra calories.
Both the AAP and the
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Choosing The Best Formula For Your Baby
When you first walk into a shop or pharmacy that sells formula, you might find the range of boxes and packets on display a bit bewildering at first, with so many different brands and types of infant formula on offer.
Donât let this confuse you though: Just check the label carefully and keep in mind that newborns need what is known as âfirst infant formulaâ until at least 6 months of age, unless your doctor or midwife advises otherwise.
Experts also advise sticking to this type of formula until your baby is at least around 1 year old, when you can start giving your baby cowâs milk to drink.
How Much Should Newborn Babies Eat The Day Theyre Born
You may be anxious about getting your baby started eating as soon as possible. But on the first day of life, its possible that your baby is just as tired as you after going through birth.
Its not uncommon for babies to be very sleepy in the first 24 hours of life. That first 24-hour period after birth can be a learning curve for the baby to literally learn how to eat and be alert enough to eat. Dont fret too much if your baby isnt showing interest in eating every two hours on schedule.
One study found that, on average, infants who were breastfed ate around eight times and had three wet or dirty diapers in the first 24 hours of life. This is less than theyll eat and eliminate later.
You may be shocked to see how little your newborn is actually eating through breastfeeding in that first day of life, too. This is normal so dont be worried. Keep in mind that until your milk comes in , your baby is drinking colostrum only.
Colostrum is like concentrated superfood full of calories and nutrients, which is why it is adequate even in its small amounts the first couple days. Think quality over quantity.
On average, a healthy newborn will only drink about a 1/2 ounce in colostrum over the first 24 hours of life. Of course, every baby is different.
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Baby Formula Preparation Types
While there are different types of formulas, there are also differences in the ways formulas are prepared. Some provide convenience, while others are more economical.
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Powder formula
When you think of baby formula, its probably the dry powder form. It comes in a canister, is measured with a scoop, and is mixed with water.When not prepared, powder has a longer shelf life than ready-to-feed or concentrated liquid formula, which makes it a good option for those supplementing breast milk with formula.
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Ready-to-feed formula
This type of formula is convenient and ready to use, and it requires no water or mixing. Similac Ready to Feed is available in 2-fl-oz, 8-fl-oz, and quart-sized bottles. Its great for traveling and on-the-go, anywhere.
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Concentrated liquid formula
A type of liquid formula that comes in a can and mixes easily with waterjust add one part water to one part concentrate.
Once youve found a formula thats the right fit for you, here are some great tips on How to Make a Bottle.
Formula Feeding Amounts By Age
Formula fed infants typically need 2 1/2 ounces or 74 ml of formula for each pound of weight, on average. Some babies have larger appetites than others, though. I have worked with a lot of families, personally, and some babies take small bottles and consume around 24 oz a day total while others consume over 30 oz. The most important thing to remember is that your baby should stay on his or her own growth curve.
In the newborn days, its important to feed your baby on-demand whenever he or she shows signs of hunger. As your baby grows older, you can consider putting your baby on a schedule.
While some parents and babies thrive on schedules, some people prefer to allow the daily routine to be flexible. Keep in mind that the more your baby eats during the day, the sooner your baby will sleep through the night.
Here is a formula-feeding chart to tell you the average frequency and bottle sizes of formula by age, but keep in mind that some babies eat a variable amount at different times of the day. You should use this chart simply as a guide while also adapting your daily routine to fit your unique baby.
If you ever have any concerns about your baby and your babys feeding habits, please be sure to seek out a healthcare provider and/or lactation consultant.
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