While there are plenty of good reasons to breastfeed, sometimes it’s just not right for mom or baby.
There are many common reasons it doesn’t work out like having to go back to work or problems producing enough milk. There’s no shame in feeding your baby formula, especially with the good organic brands available to moms and dads.
There’s nothing wrong with feeding your baby formula, especially with the good organic brands available to moms and dads.
If you are considering making a switch to baby formula, you probably have a few questions.
How much formula does a baby need? How much is too much? How much is too little? And what brands are the best for my baby?
Don’t worry. We’re going to answer your baby formula questions here so you’ll be confidently bottle-feeding formula to your baby in no time!
Switching to Bottle-Fed Formula
How much formula does a baby need? Unfortunately, there’s no magic formula to tell you exactly how much. There’s some good information out there but with a few tips and a little trial and error, you should be able to figure it out in no time.
Factors like age, weight, and appetite will play into the perfect amount of formula to feed your baby.
How much formula does a baby need? That will also be affected once your baby starts eating solid foods. So it could fluctuate.
We’ll give you some basic guidelines and tips to help you decide exactly how much formula your baby needs.
If you’ve been breastfeeding and you’re switching to bottle formula, you’ve probably never had to think about how much you’re feeding your baby. But with formula feeding, there’s a bit of math to it, especially if you need to pre-measure for a nanny, daycare, or babysitter.
Just keep in mind that you can still pick up on cues from your baby that they are full. Just like breastfeeding, your baby will let you know when she has had enough.
As long as your baby is happy and healthy, your doctor says she is gaining weight normally and is going through those diapers like she should… you can rest easy.
Baby cues and dirty diapers aside, it’s good to know generally how much formula a baby needs.
How Much Formula Does a Baby Need?
Even though a specific answer is impossible, there are some tips you can follow to help you along your formula feeding journey.
How much formula does a baby need? Here’s a good rule of thumb, from What to Expect:
- Infants under 6 months who haven’t started on solid foods, should be taking 2 to 2 1/2 ounces of formula per pound of body weight over a 24-hour period.
- After four to six months, most baby’s can start eating a combination of formula and solid foods up to age one.
But remember, these numbers are not strict rules. Every baby is different and you should be watching for cues to know whether your baby is still hungry or full.
Your baby’s nutritional needs could vary from day-to-day. If your baby is fidgety and distracted while eating, she’s probably full. If she finishes her bottle and is still smacking her lips and still seems hungry, she probably needs a little more.
Don’t give your baby over 32 ounces of formula in a day.
Of course, always consult your pediatrician for advice if you or baby are struggling. Also, seek advice from your doctor if you are feeding your baby a combination of breastmilk and formula.
Lots of mothers are finding that their situations simply aren’t working with breastfeeding and have decided to make the switch to bottle-feeding formula.
Many babies who eat formula are a little heavier than breastfed babies. But that’s OK. Babies need to continually gain weight but sometimes it can start packing on too fast.
These are some warning signs of overeating to watch out for:
- Is your baby spitting up more than normal? It’s going to happen once in a while, but it is a sign that she is a little too full.
- Is your baby gaining weight faster than she seems to be growing? You doctor will be able to tell you in this case if you’re giving her too much formula.
If your doctor thinks your baby is eating too much formula, these are some tips to keep in mind.
- Is your baby really hungry or just fussy or bored? If she recently ate, try giving her a toy or something to play with. Even just a little attention and cuddles could do the trick.
- Try supplementing the need to suck in between means with a pacifier.
- Check the formula bottle label to make sure you’re using correct amounts.
And always ask your doctor if you have questions.
Quality Formula Feeding Products
If you’re feeding your baby bottle formula, it’s probably very important to you that you’re giving her the best ingredients.
Using organic, GMO-free, and additive free formulas are always the best choice for babies. And BPA free bottles are important for your baby’s health too.
There are plenty of different organic formula options for your baby. In fact, some parents are deciding to switch to using European organic baby formulas instead of using their American-made products.
American products can often include some unhealthy sweetening ingredients that aren’t found in the European products. For example, sucrose has been banned in Europe since 2009 because of concerns about obesity and overfeeding, but it’s still a common ingredient in the United States.
- Corn syrup
- Brown rice syrup
- Cane sugar
These are all sweeteners commonly found in US products that you won’t find in European organic baby formula products.
These European products can be more expensive than US counterparts because the better the ingredients mean the formulas are more expensive to make.
Your baby will let you know what it likes to eat, but it never hurts to start with the healthy organic options first.
Hopefully, this article has answered your top questions, like: How much formula does a baby need? And where to find quality products for bottle feeding your baby.
Let us know in the comments what other questions you have!
