How much formula milk does my baby need?
One of the most confusing things about feeding your baby formula milk is trying to work out how much to feed him. And there's no single answer -- it depends on your baby's age, weight, and whether you're feeding him only formula, or using it in combination with breastmilk or solids. Here are a few pointers to help you decide how much your baby needs:
Multiply your baby's weight by 2.5 - 2.7 ounces of formula
If your baby isn't eating any solids (the recommended age for starting solids is six months), the general rule of thumb for formula amounts is 2.5 - 2.7 ounces (oz) per pound (lb) of body weight. So if your baby weighs 6lb, he should consume about 15 or 16oz of formula in a 24-hour period. If he weighs 10lb, he should have roughly 25 - 27oz in a 24-hour period.
Please note; this rule of thumb doesn't really work with metric measures.
Please bear in mind that these are rough guidelines, and your health visitor will be able to advise you on the right amount of formula for your baby as he grows. Also, these guidelines don't apply to premature babies or babies with a low birth weight -- again, ask your health visitor for advice if your baby falls into one of these two groups.
Consider your baby's age
How much formula your baby needs depends not only on weight, but also on his age. Don't expect a newborn (or any baby, for that matter) to follow a schedule or mathematical formula. If you're starting a newborn on formula, try giving him only 30-60ml (a couple of ounces) at each feed for the first week. By the time your baby is one month old, he will probably take 90-120ml / 3 or 4oz at each feed, and will consume anywhere from 400-800ml / 14 to 28oz in one day. You'll soon sense if your baby needs more -- he'll finish the feed quickly and then look around for second helpings!
From the age of two months up to six months, you should be feeding your baby 120-180ml / 4-6oz at a feeding, and he'll have anything from 700ml to over a litre / 23 to 35oz a day.
Once your baby reaches six months, you can feed him anywhere from 180-220 ml / 6-8oz at a feeding, and his total formula intake should be roughly 900ml / 32oz per day.
Once you start adding solids to his diet, his daily intake of formula milk should gradually decrease to about 720ml / 24oz. The Food Standards Agency recommends that once your baby is established on solids, he should be having approximately 600ml / 20oz or one pint of formula milk per day alongside a varied diet until he is a year old. After the age of one, he can move from drinking formula milk to full-fat cow's milk.
Bear in mind that these are only rough guidelines, and your baby will let you know if he's getting too much or too little formula. If you are not sure, talk with your health visitor.
Don't let solids replace formula too soon
When you introduce your baby to solid foods at around six months, breastmilk or formula should still constitute most of his nutrition until he's a year old. Most babies, when they're getting used to solids, do not eat a wide enough variety of foods to satisfy their growing bodies' nutritional needs. At this stage, his daily intake of formula should still be about 720ml / 24oz. Avoid juice, which doesn't offer nearly the same nutritional value as formula.
Let your baby be the guide
Appetites vary from baby to baby, and most babies change from day to day and month to month. Your baby will feed as often as he needs to, as long as you learn to detect his cues and respond to them appropriately. Make sure you don't automatically give a bottle every time your baby cries -- in time you'll learn to read his actions and work out whether he's hungry or just needs attention.
The information above is designed for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your pediatrician or family doctor. Please consult a doctor with any questions or concerns you might have regarding your or your child's condition.
