Establishing a feeding schedule with formula is uncomplicated. In the beginning, due to the tiny size of the baby's belly, the feedings will start out small but frequent (around every three to four hours). But how much formula should your baby eat?
During your baby's first month, he or she will go from needing 5 to 7 milliliters (one teaspoon) of formula from day one to 3 to 4 ounces by the end of the month. To calculate the amount of formula per feeding, divide the formula ounces per day by the number of feedings. On average, a two-month-old baby girl will have six to seven feedings with 4 ounces at each feeding.
There are a couple of other ways that you can estimate how much formula your baby should eat:
- Use 2½ ounces of formula for each pound of body weight as a total daily amount.
- After the first month, babies add about 1 ounce to each feeding for every month of life, starting at a base of 3 to 4 ounces per feeding. This increase stops when they reach 8 ounces per feeding.
(Click Newborn Feeding Schedule for more information on how much formula your baby needs, to find out what the ideal feeding schedule is, and to learn about breastfeeding.)
