Formula Feeding Guide For Your One-Month-Old Newborn

Figuring out how much formula to feed your newborn can be challenging, but there are some general guidelines to help you. In the first few weeks, it is recommended to offer your newborn 2-3 ounces of formula every 2-4 hours. This amount can be adjusted based on your baby's hunger cues, ensuring they are gaining weight steadily and wetting a sufficient number of diapers. As your baby grows, the amount of formula they need will increase, with 2-month-olds drinking 3-6 ounces every 3-4 hours, and 4-month-olds drinking 4-7 ounces every 4-5 hours. It is important to remember that every baby is unique, and their appetite may vary, so always consult your paediatrician for specific advice.

How much formula should a 1-month-old newborn drink in a day?

The amount of formula a 1-month-old newborn should drink in a day depends on several factors, including their weight, appetite, age, and individual needs. It's important to remember that every baby is unique, and their feeding requirements may vary. Here's a detailed guide to help you understand how much formula your 1-month-old newborn should consume in a day:

Understanding Feeding Requirements:

During the first month of life, newborns typically feed every two to four hours. This frequency ensures they receive the necessary nourishment for their growth and development. By the end of the first month, a formula-fed newborn will typically consume 3 to 4 ounces of formula per feeding. This amount can vary depending on their weight and appetite.

Guidelines for 1-Month-Old Newborns:

As a general guideline, a good rule of thumb is to offer 2.5 ounces of formula per pound of body weight every 24 hours. For example, if your baby weighs 10 pounds, you should aim for 20 to 25 ounces of formula per day. This translates to approximately 3 to 4 ounces of formula every four hours. However, it's important to remember that this is just a guideline, and the actual amount may vary depending on your baby's individual needs.

Recognising Hunger and Fullness Cues:

It's essential to pay attention to your baby's hunger and fullness cues. Newborns will typically display signs of hunger such as smacking or licking their lips, rooting (moving their jaw, mouth, or head in search of food), or putting their hands to their mouth. Crying is often a late sign of hunger, so it's best to look for these earlier cues to determine when it's time for a feeding. Additionally, watch for signs that your baby is full, such as sucking with less enthusiasm, turning away from the bottle, or becoming fidgety during a feeding.

A Typical Feeding Schedule:

At 1 month old, your baby will likely be drinking 3 to 4 ounces of formula every three to four hours. This amounts to approximately 24 to 32 ounces of formula in a 24-hour period, spread across six to eight feedings. However, it's important to remember that every baby is different, and their appetite may vary from day to day.

Consulting with Healthcare Professionals:

It's always a good idea to consult your paediatrician or healthcare provider if you have any concerns or questions about your baby's feeding. They can provide specific advice based on your baby's growth charts, ensuring they are growing steadily and receiving the proper amount of nourishment. Additionally, they can guide you in recognising your baby's unique hunger and fullness cues.

How often should a 1-month-old newborn be fed?

Newborns and young babies should be fed whenever they seem hungry. This is called on-demand feeding. After the first few days of life, most healthy formula-fed newborns feed about every 2–4 hours. As they get bigger, they usually eat every 3–4 hours.

In the first few weeks, give 2- to 3-ounce bottles to your newborn. Give more or less depending on your baby's hunger cues. On average, a newborn drinks about 1.5–3 ounces every 2–3 hours. This amount increases as your baby grows and can take more at each feeding.

A general rule of thumb is to feed your baby 2.5 ounces of formula per pound of body weight daily. However, it's important to listen to your infant's hunger cues rather than giving them a specific amount of formula. In the first week, a formula-fed newborn will take about 1 to 2 ounces per feeding, gradually increasing until they take 3 to 4 ounces at each feeding by the end of the first month.

By the time they are 1 month old, your baby will likely be drinking 3 to 4 ounces of formula every 3 to 4 hours. This amounts to 24 to 32 ounces of formula in a 24-hour period. However, it's important to remember that every baby is different, and their appetite may vary from day to day and feeding to feeding.

Within a few months, your baby will start to establish a rhythm that you can use as the basis for a feeding and sleeping schedule.

What are the signs that a 1-month-old newborn is hungry?

A one-month-old newborn should be fed on demand, whenever they show signs that they're hungry. Crying is often a late sign of hunger, so it's important to try to catch the earlier signs that it's time for a feeding.

• Smacking or licking their lips
• Rooting (moving their jaw, mouth, or head in search of food)
• Putting their hands to their mouth
• Opening and closing their mouth
• Puckering their lips as if to suck
• Nuzzling against the mother's breast
• Showing the rooting reflex (when a baby moves its mouth in the direction of something that's stroking or touching its cheek)
• Moving their heads from side to side
• Sticking out their tongues
• Placing their fists to their mouths

As your baby gets older, they will develop new signs for hunger and fullness. For example, older babies and toddlers up to the age of two may be more expressive in their signs that they're hungry, such as pointing at or reaching for food, getting excited or loud when they see food, or opening their mouth when offered food.

It's important to remember that babies should be fed before they get upset and cry, as crying is a late sign of hunger. Additionally, not every cry is due to hunger. Sometimes, babies just need to be cuddled or changed, or they could be sick, tired, too hot or cold, in pain, or have colic.

What are the signs that a 1-month-old newborn is full?

It is important to listen to your baby's hunger and fullness cues and feed them on demand. Here are some signs that your 1-month-old newborn is full:

• They suck with less enthusiasm.
• They stop sucking.
• They turn away from the bottle.

In addition, a baby who is getting enough formula will display the following signs:

• Steady weight gain.
• They seem relaxed and satisfied after a feeding.
• Wet diapers.

General Tips

• Babies eat when they're hungry and stop when they're full, so resist the temptation to encourage your baby to finish each bottle.
• Overfeeding during infancy can contribute to obesity later in life.
• Don't respond to your baby's every cry with a bottle. They may be crying because they need a cuddle, or their diaper is wet, or they're too hot or cold, or they need to be burped.
• Your baby may be hungrier than usual during growth spurts.

What are the signs that a 1-month-old newborn is getting too much formula?

It is relatively rare to overfeed a baby, and a 1-month-old newborn's self-regulation system is quite sophisticated. They eat when they're hungry and stop when they're full. However, it is still possible to overfeed a baby, and this can lead to various health problems. Here are some signs that your 1-month-old newborn is getting too much formula:

• Vomiting after feeding: Spitting up is normal, but if your baby vomits after a feed, it may be a sign that they are getting too much formula.
• Tummy pain: If your baby draws up their legs or their tummy seems tense after a feed, they may be experiencing tummy pain due to overfeeding.
• Constant hunger: If your baby seems hungry all the time, even after finishing a bottle, it could be a sign that you are overfeeding them. A pacifier may help soothe their need to suck.
• Frequent spit-ups: Overfed babies may spit up more than usual. This could be related to the increased intake of formula, causing them to expel excess air and milk during feeds.
• Bloating and gas: Bottle-fed babies can gulp a lot of air while drinking, which can cause bloating and gas, leading to discomfort and crying.
• Colic: The bloating, gas, and frequent loose stools or diarrhoea caused by overfeeding can create a lot of discomfort for your baby, leading to colic.
• Excessive weight gain: If your baby is gaining weight rapidly and is above the typical growth curve, it could be a sign of overfeeding. However, it's important to consult your paediatrician to ensure your baby is growing steadily on their own growth curve.

Remember, it's important to respect your baby's feeding cues and not force them to finish a bottle. The amount of formula they need can vary based on their weight, age, and individual needs. Consult your paediatrician if you have any concerns about your baby's growth, behaviour, or development.

Frequently asked questions