Formula Feeding Guide For Newborns: Amounts And Schedule

Newborns have tiny bellies and need very small amounts of formula to start with. In the first few days, offer your newborn 1 to 2 ounces of formula every 2 to 3 hours. As they grow, their bellies will be able to hold more milk, and the time between feeds will get longer. By the time they are 6 months old, they may be drinking 6–8 ounces about 4–5 times a day. It's important to feed your baby on demand whenever they show signs of hunger, and to keep an eye on their weight gain and the number of wet and dirty nappies to ensure they are getting enough formula.

How often to feed a newborn formula

Newborns have tiny bellies, so they don't need a lot of formula to start with. In the first few days of life, offer your newborn 1 to 2 ounces of formula every 2 to 3 hours. They may only take half an ounce at a time. After the first few days, give your newborn 2 to 3 ounces every 3 to 4 hours.

It's best to feed your newborn on demand, whenever they show signs of hunger. Crying is a late sign of hunger, so try to catch the earlier signs that it's time for a feed. Hunger cues include smacking or licking their lips, rooting (moving their jaw, mouth, or head in search of food), and putting their hands to their mouth.

As your baby grows, their belly will grow too, and they will be able to drink more formula at each feed and go longer between feeds. By the time they are two months old, they may be drinking about 4 to 5 ounces every 3 to 4 hours.

It's important to follow your baby's appetite and hunger cues. Resist the temptation to encourage your baby to finish each bottle. Overfeeding during infancy can contribute to obesity later in life.

How much formula a newborn needs

Newborns have tiny stomachs and need very small amounts of formula to start with. The amount will vary from baby to baby, and it's important to feed your baby on demand, whenever they show signs of hunger. Crying is often a late sign of hunger, so look out for earlier cues such as smacking or licking their lips, rooting, or putting their hands to their mouth.

For the first few days, offer your newborn 1 to 2 ounces of formula every 2 to 3 hours. They may only take half an ounce at a time to begin with. After the first few days, you can increase this to 2 to 3 ounces every 3 to 4 hours.

As your baby grows, their stomach will be able to hold more milk, and the time between feeds will get longer. At about 2 months, your baby may drink about 4 to 5 ounces every 3 to 4 hours. At 4 months, this may increase to 4 to 6 ounces at each feeding, and by 6 months, your baby may be drinking 6 to 8 ounces about 4 to 5 times a day.

It's important to remember that these amounts are not rigid rules, and some babies will need more or less than the recommended amount. You should always respond to your baby's hunger cues and let them stop when they are full. Overfeeding during infancy can contribute to obesity later in life, so it's important not to encourage your baby to finish the bottle if they are showing signs of being full.

Hunger cues

As a new parent, you may be wondering how often and how much to feed your baby. Your baby will give you signs, or hunger cues, to let you know when they are hungry and full. It may take some time, but you'll learn exactly what these signs are.

Signs Your Baby is Hungry

• Sucking on hands, fingers, fists, clothing, or lip-smacking
• Opening and closing their mouth
• Puckering their lips
• Moving their head from side to side
• Becoming more alert and active
• Placing their hands to their mouth
• Sticking out their tongue
• Nuzzling against the breast
• Rooting (moving their jaw, mouth, or head in search of food)
• Smiling during feeding (for babies older than 4 months)

Crying is often a late sign of hunger, so if possible, try to catch the earlier signs that it's time for a feeding.

General Guidelines

In the first few days of life, offer your newborn 1 to 2 ounces of formula every 2 to 3 hours. After the first few days, give your newborn 2 to 3 ounces of formula every 3 to 4 hours. Initially, it's best to feed your formula-fed newborn on demand, whenever they show signs that they're hungry. As your newborn grows, they will develop a more predictable feeding routine and go longer stretches at night without needing a bottle.

Formula preparation and storage

Before preparing bottles or feeding your baby, wash your hands well and clean and sanitise the workspace where you will prepare the infant formula. Clean and sanitise bottles, and sterilise nipples and bottles in boiling water for 5 minutes before their first use.

If you are using powdered formula, use water from a safe source to mix your infant formula. If you are unsure if your tap water is safe, contact your local health department. Use the amount of water listed on the instructions of the infant formula container. Always measure the water first and then add the powder.

If you are preparing formula for a baby who is younger than 2 months old, was born before 37 weeks, or has a weak immune system, take extra precautions to avoid germs that can cause infection. In these cases, use ready-to-feed formula or concentrated liquid formula, as they have less risk of being contaminated with germs. If you are making powdered formula or concentrated liquid formula, boil the water and let it cool for 5 minutes before mixing with the formula.

Formula does not need to be warmed before feeding. If you do wish to warm the bottle, do not use a microwave as this can cause hot spots that can burn your baby's mouth and throat. Instead, place the bottle under running warm water, ensuring that no water gets into the bottle or on the nipple.

Prepared infant formula can spoil if left out at room temperature. To prevent spoiling, use prepared infant formula within 2 hours of preparation and within 1 hour of feeding beginning. If you do not start to use the prepared infant formula within 2 hours, immediately store the bottle in the fridge and use it within 24 hours. Throw out any formula that is left in the bottle after feeding your baby, and be sure to clean and sanitise the bottle before its next use.

Store unopened infant formula containers in a cool, dry, indoor place. Once a container of powdered infant formula is opened, store it in a cool, dry place with the lid tightly closed. Do not store it in the refrigerator. Most infant formulas need to be used within 1 month of opening the container. Never use formula after the "Use By" date on the container.

Bottle and nipple types

The market offers a wide range of baby bottles and nipples, and it may take some trial and error to find the right fit for your baby. Here are some factors to consider when choosing bottles and nipples:

Bottle Shapes

Standard bottles: These are straight with no angle or curve and have been commonly used for years.

Curved bottles: These bottles are designed with a curve to reduce the amount of air swallowed by the baby, which can help minimise gas and fussiness. They are also said to be easier to hold. However, the curved design can make them slightly more challenging to clean.

Angle-neck bottles: These bottles have a bent neck, which helps prevent air from getting into the nipple. They are also considered easier to hold. However, like curved bottles, they can be a bit more tricky to clean due to their design.

Disposable-liner bottles: These bottles come with a plastic pouch that fits inside. As the baby drinks, the pouch collapses, preventing air from entering the bottle. This design is convenient as it requires less cleaning, but it is less environmentally friendly and can be costly if you are exclusively bottle-feeding.

Vented bottles: These bottles feature a straw-like vent running through the centre, which is designed to eliminate air bubbles that can cause gas in the baby. While there is limited evidence of their effectiveness in reducing gas and colic, many parents find them useful. Keep in mind that the extra parts will require additional cleaning.

Wide-mouth bottles: These bottles are shorter and wider than standard bottles, and they use wider nipples that claim to mimic a mother's breast. They are often preferred by nursing and bottle-feeding parents as they may feel more familiar to the baby. Additionally, they tend to be easier to clean.

Bottle Materials

Baby bottles are typically made from plastic, silicone, glass, or stainless steel, each with its own advantages and disadvantages:

• Plastic bottles are lightweight and inexpensive. However, some may require disposable plastic bag liners, which can add to the cost.
• Silicone bottles are softer and more flexible than plastic but may be more expensive.
• Glass bottles are durable, easy to clean, and free from certain chemicals found in plastic. However, they are heavier and prone to shattering if dropped. Silicone sleeves can be used to improve grip and reduce the risk of breakage.
• Stainless steel bottles offer many of the benefits of glass without the same fragility. However, they can be pricier, and it can be challenging to see the milk level inside the bottle.

Nipple Sizes and Flow Levels

Baby bottle nipples come in different sizes and flow levels, and it's important to choose the right one for your baby's age, feeding needs, and desired milk flow. Here are some key considerations:

• Newborns typically require slower flow nipples (Level 1 or Size 1) with smaller holes, while older babies may need faster flow nipples (Level 2, 3, or 4 or Size 2, 3, or 4) with larger holes.
• The nipple flow rate should match your baby's sucking style and strength. A nipple with the wrong-sized hole can cause the baby to feed too quickly or too slowly or swallow too much air.
• The ideal nipple allows a few drops of milk to drip out when the bottle is inverted, and then the dripping stops.
• If the milk flows too quickly, try a nipple with a smaller hole, and if the baby seems frustrated by sucking too hard, switch to a nipple with a larger hole.
• Breastfed or chestfed babies should start with low-flow nipples, regardless of their age, to prevent nipple confusion and reduce the risk of becoming too attached to the bottle.
• The age ranges provided by manufacturers are guidelines, and every baby is different. Some newborns may benefit from a faster flow, while some older babies might prefer a slower flow.

Nipple Shapes and Materials

Baby bottle nipples also come in various shapes and materials:

• Standard nipples are typically tall and dome-shaped, while other types mimic the shape of a mother's breast.
• Orthodontic nipples are designed to fit the inside of the baby's mouth, with a wide tip and base and a narrow middle.
• Most nipples are made of clear silicone, but some are made with latex, which could potentially cause an allergic reaction in sensitive infants. Always consult your doctor before using latex nipples.
• The flexibility of nipples can vary significantly between brands, so it's important to consider this factor when making your selection.

Frequently asked questions