
Newborns need small amounts of formula to start with, and the amount will vary from baby to baby. In the first few weeks, newborns will drink around 1.5 to 3 ounces (45 to 90 millilitres) every 2 to 3 hours. This amount will increase as the baby grows and can take more at each feed. It's important to follow the directions on the formula packaging and to consult a doctor if you have any concerns about feeding your baby.
What You'll Learn
How much formula for a newborn?
Newborns need small amounts of formula to start with. The amount will vary from baby to baby. On average, a newborn drinks about 1.5 to 3 ounces (45 to 90 milliliters) every 2 to 3 hours. This amount increases as your baby grows and can take more at each feeding.
Feeding Schedule
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 to 3 hours. As they get bigger and their tummies can hold more milk, they usually eat every 3 to 4 hours.
How to Know if Your Baby is Getting Enough Formula
Your baby's weight gain and the number of wet and dirty nappies will tell you whether your baby is getting enough formula. Your baby should have around 6 wet nappies a day from a few days after birth. Nappies should be wet with clear or pale yellow urine, or feel heavy.
How to Know if Your Baby is Hungry
Babies tend to feed little and often, so they may not finish their bottle. Try to feed your baby before they cry, as this is a late sign of hunger. Signs that babies are hungry include:
- Moving their heads from side to side
- Opening their mouths
- Sticking out their tongues
- Placing their hands, fingers, and fists in their mouths
- Puckering their lips as if to suck
- Nuzzling against their mother's breasts
- Showing the rooting reflex (when a baby moves its mouth in the direction of something that's stroking or touching its cheek)
Formula Preparation
The amount of formula powder and water you use will depend on the brand of formula you are using. Most manufacturers use the same recipe: 1 level scoop of powder for every 2 fluid ounces of water. Always follow the directions on the formula packaging exactly.
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How much water for a newborn?
It is important to note that newborns should not be given any extra water. Regular formula is already 85% water, and water can be harmful to newborns.
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 2–3 hours. As they get bigger and their stomachs can hold more milk, they usually eat every 3–4 hours.
In the first few weeks, give 2- to 3-ounce (60- to 90-millilitre) 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 (45–90 millilitres) every 2–3 hours. This amount increases as your baby grows and can take more at each feeding.
At about 2 months, your baby may drink about 4–5 ounces (120–150 millilitres) every 3–4 hours. At 4 months, your baby may drink about 4–6 ounces (120–180 millilitres) at each feeding, depending on how often they eat.
Your baby's weight gain and the number of wet and dirty nappies will tell you whether your baby is getting enough formula. Your baby should have around 6 wet nappies a day from a few days after birth. Nappies should be wet with clear or pale yellow urine, or feel heavy.
If you are formula feeding, the amount of water you will need depends on the type of formula you are using. Powdered formula is mixed with water, with most manufacturers using the same recipe: 1 level scoop of powder for every 2 fluid ounces of water. Liquid concentrate is also mixed with water: to fill a 2-ounce bottle, add 1 ounce of water to 1 ounce of liquid concentrate. Ready-to-feed formula does not need any added water.
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Formula preparation
Step 1: Clean & Sanitize
Wash your hands well before preparing bottles or feeding your baby. Next, clean and sanitize the workspace where you will be preparing your formula.
Step 2: Add Water to Bottle
Measure and pour the appropriate amount of water into a clean baby bottle. If you are using tap water, run the cold tap for 1 minute. Do not use warm tap water to avoid potential lead exposure. Heat cold water to the desired temperature. If you are using bottled water, make sure it is distilled or filtered.
Step 3: Add Powder Formula
Add unpacked, level scoops of powder formula to the bottle as directed (1 scoop of formula per 2 fl oz of water). Return the dry scoop to the container. Scoop sizes can vary, so it is important to use the scoop that comes with your product.
Step 4: Cap & Mix Bottle
Put the cap on the bottle and shake. You can mix up one bottle at a time, or mix a full day's worth and refrigerate it. Prepared formula should be stored in the refrigerator and used within 24 hours.
Step 5: Clean Your Bottle
Baby bottles, nipples, and rings should be cleaned after every feeding. Make sure to take the bottles fully apart and thoroughly clean each part.
Additional Tips:
- Do not add extra water to the formula as it can cause seizures.
- Do not use bottled water to make up infant formula feeds for your baby. This is because it's not usually sterile and may contain too much salt (sodium) or sulphate.
- Do not let formula sit around. When it's mixed and ready to drink, give it to your baby or store it in the refrigerator within 1 hour.
- Do not reheat formula. Once formula has been prepared and warmed, it’s best to serve it to your baby right away.
- Do not feed your baby expired formula or formula from a dented container.
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Water temperature
- Room temperature or lukewarm water is generally safe and suitable for mixing with formula powder.
- Avoid using hot tap water to prepare the formula, as it may contain potentially harmful levels of lead. Instead, use cold tap water and heat it up if needed.
- If you need to heat the water, run the closed bottle under very warm or hot water for a few minutes, or place the bottle in a pan of hot water for a few minutes.
- Always test the temperature of the prepared formula before feeding your baby. It should be lukewarm or body temperature, but not too hot, to avoid burning your baby's mouth.
- If the formula is heated, it is best to use it within an hour to avoid bacteria growth.
Additional Tips:
- If you are preparing formula away from home, you can carry hot water in a vacuum flask and mix it with formula powder when needed.
- If you are using well water or live in an area with an unsafe water supply, consider boiling the water before mixing it with formula.
- For newborns, it is generally recommended to use distilled, bottled, or filtered water for mixing formula, as their immune systems are still developing.
- Do not use bottled water unless necessary, as it may contain high levels of sodium or sulphate.
- If you boil water, allow it to cool before mixing it with formula powder.
Remember to always follow the specific instructions provided by your baby's pediatrician and the formula manufacturer to ensure the health and safety of your newborn.
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Feeding schedule
Newborns need small amounts of formula to start with. The amount will vary from baby to baby, but in general, newborns drink about 1.5 to 3 ounces (45 to 90 milliliters) every 2 to 3 hours.
First Few Weeks
In the first few weeks, give 2- to 3-ounce (60- to 90-milliliter) bottles to your newborn. Give more or less depending on your baby's hunger cues. 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.
2 Months Old
At about 2 months old, your baby may drink about 4 to 5 ounces (120 to 150 milliliters) every 3 to 4 hours.
4 Months Old
At 4 months old, your baby may drink about 4 to 6 ounces (120 to 180 milliliters) at each feeding, depending on how often they eat.
6 Months Old
By 6 months, your baby may drink 6 to 8 ounces (180 to 240 milliliters) about 4 to 5 times a day.
8 to 12 Months Old
From 8 to 12 months old, infants can have some extra water. On hot days, they can have up to 8 ounces (240 milliliters) per day.
12 Months Old
From 12 months old, cow's milk can be introduced.
General Tips
- Feed your baby before they cry, as this is a late sign of hunger.
- A baby who is full may suck with less enthusiasm, stop, or turn away from the bottle.
- The most amount of formula advised per day is 32 ounces (1 liter).
- Over-feeding can cause vomiting, diarrhea, or too much weight gain.
- If your baby needs more than 32 ounces (1 liter), talk to your doctor about starting solids.
- Feedings shouldn't take more than 20 minutes.
- If your baby is fussy and it's been more than 2 hours, feed them.
- From birth to 3 months of age, feed every 2 to 3 hours.
- From 3 to 9 months of age, feed every 3 to 4 hours.
- Infants often set their own schedule by 1 to 2 months of age.
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Frequently asked questions
Newborns need small amounts of formula to start with. In the first few weeks, give 2-3 ounce bottles to your newborn. The average amount of formula that babies take per feeding is 1-2 ounces per feed.
It is recommended to use 2 ounces of water per 1 level scoop of formula powder. This can be mixed one bottle at a time or a full day's worth can be mixed and refrigerated.
Newborns 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 2-3 hours.
Your baby's weight gain and the number of wet and dirty nappies will tell you if they are getting enough formula. Your baby should have around 6 wet nappies a day from a few days after birth.