If you choose to feed baby formula from the very beginning, prepare and offer a bottle with 2-3 ounces of formula every 3-4 hours during the first week.
If your baby doesn’t drink all of each bottle, she’s likely telling you she’s full.
Always test the temperature of heated baby formula before feeding by shaking a few drops on your wrist.
Never use a microwave oven to warm formula — this can result in hot spots that can burn your baby.
Discard any formula your baby doesn’t finish within one hour after each feeding begins.
Can Babies Taste the Difference Between Formulas?
Typically, babies adapt to the taste of their usual formula and will likely develop a preference to that taste. They may happily drink formula that would be distasteful to you, and refuse formula that would taste better to you. It would not be unusual for your baby to be able to tell the difference in taste among milk-based, soy-based, and hypoallergenic* formulas.
* Protein hydrolysate
Every baby has her own nutritional needs. The best way to feed your baby is to allow her to take as much baby formula as she wants, but if you’re looking for a guideline, refer to the table below. But remember, these are just averages!
Age | Average number of feedings per day | Average amt. | Average amt. in 24-hour feeding per day |
1-2 weeks | 6-10 | 2-3 fl oz | 12-30 fl oz |
3-4 weeks | 6-8 | 3-4 fl oz | 18-32 fl oz |
1-2 months | 5-6 | 4-5 fl oz | 20-30 fl oz |
2-3 months | 5-6 | 5-6 fl-oz | 25-36 fl oz |
3-4 months | 4-5 | 6-7 fl oz | 24-35 fl oz |
4-7 months | 4-5 | 7-8 fl oz | 28-40 fl oz |
7-9 months | 3-4 | 7-8 fl oz | 21-32 fl oz |
9-12 months | 3 | 7-8 fl oz | 21-24 fl oz |