How much formula milk does my baby need?

All formula milk comes with instructions that tell you how to make up the right amount of food for your baby.

As a rule, between birth and around six months of age, she’ll need two to two and a half ounces of formula for each pound he weighs – so if she’s 10 pounds, she’ll need between 20 and 25 ounces, depending on her appetite.

Of course this is her entire daily amount and you’ll find that when she’s very tiny she’ll only take in an ounce or two at each feed – so you’re looking at frequent small feeds (although bottlefed babies feed less frequently than breastfed babies, as formula takes longer to digest). As she gets bigger she’ll take in more – three to four ounces per feed by the time she’s around eight weeks old; around six ounces at six months and up to eight ounces when she’s approaching 12 months.

It’s rare for a bottlefed baby to be underfed since it’s so easy to monitor how many ounces they’re taking in. Some signs your baby isn’t getting enough include slower than normal weight gain and diminished urine output. If she’s spitting up a lot of milk after a feed or gaining excessive weight she’s likely getting too much milk.

When your baby hits six months and starts eating solids, the amount of milk she drinks will decrease. If you have any concerns about your baby’s development, talk to your pediatrician.

Hot tip Let your baby decide when she’s had enough to eat so you don’t overfeed her. It is bad practice to try and make her finish every last drop of her bottle if she seems satisfied with what she’s already had.

The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.