KaitlynsMom
04-04-2006, 10:08 AM
Most healthy formula-fed newborns take 2 to 3 ounces of formula per feeding, and eat every 3 or 4 hours. By one month, most of them have increased on their own to about 4 ounces every 4 hours. By six months, the amount at each feeding increases to 6 or 8 ounces, but the frequency has dropped to 4 or 5 times a day. By timing these larger feedings while you are awake, your baby won’t need to eat in the middle of the night.
Another way to express this rule of thumb is that the average baby takes 2 to 3 ounces of formula per one pound of body weight each day, up to a maximum of 32 ounces. For example: A newborn weighing 7 lbs. will take an average of 14-21 ounces of formula in a day. A 4-month-old weighing 14 pounds needs 28-32 ounces.
Not all babies are the same and of course this will be different for each one. This may vary quite a bit from day to day and from baby to baby. It’s best to remain flexible and to let your baby’s appetite guide the amount. You don’t need to make your baby finish a bottle, or stop him if he still acts hungry. If your baby consistently chooses to take more or less than the expected amount, discuss this with your pediatrician.
When a baby is still hungry after 32 ounces, it may be time to start solid foods. It’s usually best to start with solids once or twice a day, and to finish each meal with a bottle. Some babies prefer a little formula (or Breastmilk) first to take the edge off their hunger. Babies can have as much of the solids as they want.
At this stage, most of the nutrition still comes from formula (or Breastmilk). The solids provide wonderful experience with flavors, textures, and the mechanics of eating. As the amount of solids they take increases, most babies will get into a pattern of 3 meals of solids each day. The amount of formula tends to drop off a bit, but typically still falls in the range of 6 to 8 ounce bottles given 3 to 5 times a day. Most commonly, a smaller bottle (or half a bottle) is given with each meal and a larger one at bedtime. Some babies also enjoy a bottle first thing in the morning.
A baby can have up to 32 ounces of formula per day. In addition, he can have as much in the way of solids, water, or juice as he wants to supplement this. The mealtime formula is usually given at the end of the meals, to top off the solids in a comfortable and easy way. Even though the solids are now playing a larger role, the formula (or Breastmilk) still provides the core of the nutritional needs. If a baby begins to regularly take less than about 20 ounces per day, you might want to offer the bottle first and then solids.
Thirst is an extremely strong drive. As long as a baby’s own regulating mechanism isn’t tricked by getting too much juice or water, healthy babies will take enough formula or breast milk to meet their nutritional needs. This is one good reason not to put juice in the bottle.
Let your baby set the pace, but if he continues to consistently take more than 32 ounces or less than 20 ounces, run it by your pediatrician.
Within these wide ranges, there is plenty of room for different preferences and schedules. Variety is part of life. Your baby and your own intuition are good guides through these exciting times.
Another way to express this rule of thumb is that the average baby takes 2 to 3 ounces of formula per one pound of body weight each day, up to a maximum of 32 ounces. For example: A newborn weighing 7 lbs. will take an average of 14-21 ounces of formula in a day. A 4-month-old weighing 14 pounds needs 28-32 ounces.
Not all babies are the same and of course this will be different for each one. This may vary quite a bit from day to day and from baby to baby. It’s best to remain flexible and to let your baby’s appetite guide the amount. You don’t need to make your baby finish a bottle, or stop him if he still acts hungry. If your baby consistently chooses to take more or less than the expected amount, discuss this with your pediatrician.
When a baby is still hungry after 32 ounces, it may be time to start solid foods. It’s usually best to start with solids once or twice a day, and to finish each meal with a bottle. Some babies prefer a little formula (or Breastmilk) first to take the edge off their hunger. Babies can have as much of the solids as they want.
At this stage, most of the nutrition still comes from formula (or Breastmilk). The solids provide wonderful experience with flavors, textures, and the mechanics of eating. As the amount of solids they take increases, most babies will get into a pattern of 3 meals of solids each day. The amount of formula tends to drop off a bit, but typically still falls in the range of 6 to 8 ounce bottles given 3 to 5 times a day. Most commonly, a smaller bottle (or half a bottle) is given with each meal and a larger one at bedtime. Some babies also enjoy a bottle first thing in the morning.
A baby can have up to 32 ounces of formula per day. In addition, he can have as much in the way of solids, water, or juice as he wants to supplement this. The mealtime formula is usually given at the end of the meals, to top off the solids in a comfortable and easy way. Even though the solids are now playing a larger role, the formula (or Breastmilk) still provides the core of the nutritional needs. If a baby begins to regularly take less than about 20 ounces per day, you might want to offer the bottle first and then solids.
Thirst is an extremely strong drive. As long as a baby’s own regulating mechanism isn’t tricked by getting too much juice or water, healthy babies will take enough formula or breast milk to meet their nutritional needs. This is one good reason not to put juice in the bottle.
Let your baby set the pace, but if he continues to consistently take more than 32 ounces or less than 20 ounces, run it by your pediatrician.
Within these wide ranges, there is plenty of room for different preferences and schedules. Variety is part of life. Your baby and your own intuition are good guides through these exciting times.