You might be confused about how much formula and when should a baby eat. And how do you know your baby is hungry? Don’t worry. We have made for you a simple and ultimate chart to take as a guide. It’s showing baby formula amounts by age and by weight your little one needs. Also, what you should do before formula-feeding your infant and how to realize your baby’s hunger cues. So, stay with us.
“The most important thing to remember, whether you breastfeed or bottle-feed, is that your baby’s feeding needs are unique.”
Source: www.healthychildren.org
You might be thinking that figuring out the formula amount for your baby is difficult, especially in the beginning. Well, the good news is that babies are good at letting you know when they need formula-feeding or breastfeeding, so don’t worry. With time you will be able to discover these things yourself as you spend a lot of time with your little one.
“a baby should eat whenever he’s hungry.”
The first rule to know is that your baby should eat whenever he’s hungry. Once you notice baby’s hunger cues, prepare formula, and don’t let him get starving, especially in his first days, it’s called formula-fed on demand. When he grows up, you will be familiar with his regular timetable.
Feeding Babies formula Chart Guide:
This is a baby feeding formula chart to take as a guide during the weaning period to know how much your newborn should eat either by age or by weight. This infant formula chart shows you also the baby’s hunger and fullness cues.
(Click on the infographic to enlarge)
How to know if your baby is hungry?
There are seven baby’s hunger cues informing you that your baby is ready to eat:
- He/she Licks lips
- He/she Sticks tongue out
- He/she pulls to the breast
- He/she put his hands or everything he/she found to mouth repeatedly
- He/she opens his/her mouth
- He/she moves his/her head from side to side
- He/she cries (this is a late hunger sign)
It’s also important to remember that every time your little one puts things he found in his mouth or cries, it is not necessarily by cause of hunger. Babies may sometimes need to be cuddled or changed.
Related: 14 Easy Ways To Save Money On Baby Formula.
It seems complicated to realize the difference between a baby’s hunger cues and other signs, but don’t worry. As you spend more time with your little one, You will make a difference between them.
Furthermore, preparing a bottle for the baby every time he’s hungry might be exhausting. That’s why you need a formula dispenser (automatic or manual) to save you a lot of time and power. therefore, I wrote an article about Top Best Automatic And Manual Formula Dispensers in 2020 if you want to check
How much formula Should a Baby Eat?
How much formula by Age?
In the first few days, your newborn will eat small amounts more frequently in a day. This frequency will go longer as he grows up. Here is how much formula by age in the first six months :
During the first month, 3 – 4 ounces (90 – 120ml) per feeding is sufficient for most babies, with an additional amount of 1 ounce (30ml) each month until reaching 7 – 8 ounces (180 -240ml).
Related: When and How To Stop Feeding Babies Formula?
Keep in mind that a baby shouldn’t consume more than 32 ounces (960 ml) of formula per day. If he did, ask your pediatrician.
How Much Formula by Weight?
Babies eat about 2 ½ ounces (75 mL) of formula a day per 1 pound (453g). For example, if your baby weighs 10 lbs (4.5kg), he must drink 25 ounces (750ml) a day.
Note: never force your baby to eat extra formula or finish his bottle if he’s full, and don’t leave him hungry until he or she cries.
If you choose to do a combination of formula-fed and breastfeeding, ask your pediatrician.
How To Know If Your baby is Getting Too Much Formula?
There are two ways to know if your baby is getting too much formula :
1- Vomiting:
If your little one is vomiting after feeding, that means he gets so much formula, so don’t force him to eat more.
2- Belly pain:
If you realize that your newborn has tummy pain, that’s because he is getting too much formula.
Conclusion:
Finally, don’t panic. Feeding babies formula is so easy, with time you will discover the feeding schedule for your baby alone. No book or website can tell you the exact amount your baby will consume.
Pediatricians recommend these infants’ formula amounts for most babies. However, your baby’s needs are unique. It’s you that realizes and determines the amount as you spend more time with your little one.
And always remember that breastfeeding is the best and the healthy way to feed your baby unless you have one of the breastfeeding contraindications, then resort to formula-fed.
