Baby formula milk is a legitimate replacement for breast milk, and having a baby formula feeding chart can greatly help parents.
Parents often freak out about how much formula milk is enough for baby growth. Well, a baby formula feeding chart can easily lead parents through this phase.
So, let’s cut to the chase and discuss how often and how much formula milk is enough for your little sweetheart.
When Was Baby Formula Invented?
In the past, the most common baby-feeding method was breast milk. In the 19th century, people also started using animal milk as a substitute.
But people also wanted to explore the option of creating artificial milk. Why not? Artificial milk has shown to be a rather useful invention.
Justus von Liebig took the big step in 1865. He created and sold the first liquid baby formula, later making a powdered adequate.
How Much Formula to Feed a Baby (Chart)
Having trouble with your hungry baby? Consult our baby formula feeding chart and find out how much food your baby needs.
Please note that some formulas have special guidelines that you should read on the back of the product.
· What is the Normal Amount of Baby Formula Per Day by Age?
You should offer your newborns about 2-3 ounces of formula milk every three to four hours.
As babies grow, the amount of formula milk they need increases, so babies from 2 to 4 months old need 4 to 6 ounces in 6-8 feedings.
As we all know, 6-month-old babies are ready to try solid food, so you should give them about 6-8 ounces in 4-6 feedings per day.
What is a Formula Feeding Schedule?
Babies are mini CEOs. They have a schedule for everything, even formula feeding. But every baby is different.
So, each baby adapts to its feeding schedule, meaning that it has specific periods of the day when it feels hungry.
For example, as babies grow, the feeding schedule changes and the number of feedings decreases, but the amount of formula milk increases.
· How do I Calculate How Much Formula My Baby Needs?
In most cases, you can easily calculate how much formula your baby needs. Grab a pen and paper and get down to some math:
- 0-3 months old- 150 ml of formula milk per kilogram of body weight;
- 3-6 months old- 120 ml formula milk per kilogram of body weight;
- 6-12 months old- 90-120 ml formula milk per kilogram of body weight;
- Premature babies- 160-180 ml of formula milk per kilogram of body weight;
· How do You Know When to Increase the Formula?
Every baby has different food needs. Some babies develop and grow faster than others and demand more amounts of formula milk.
Well, if you’re not sure whether you are properly increasing your baby’s formula milk intake, here are some recommendations:
- Increase the amount if your baby is still hungry after feeding;
- Increase the amount of milk by 1 ounce every month;
· How do You Know if Your Baby is Still Hungry After Feeding?
Although it would have been cool if babies could talk, they can’t. So, they have to express themselves in different ways.
So, what will your baby do if it is still hungry or full? Well, many parents wonder, but the answer is simple. If your baby closes its mouth, avoids the milk bottle or the breast, and is calm, its tummy is full.
If it’s still cranky, give it more milk. But remember that you shouldn’t give your baby more than 8 ounces of formula milk in 24 hours.
How Long Can You Keep Formula Once Made Up?
Sadly, you can’t keep your bottle of formula full forever. Like all foods, it can go bad, and if consumed might harm your baby.
So, medical experts advise that your baby can consume formula up to 2 hours after preparing it.
But don’t worry if your baby doesn’t drink the baby formula. You can store it in the fridge and use it in the next 24 hours.
Remember that these are just general averages! Please read the back of the specific formula to know how long you can keep it.
Do You Need to Boil Water Before Using it to Make Formula Milk?
Water is an essential ingredient in making formula milk. But the question is, should you boil it?
Well, it turns out that medical professionals advise boiling water before using it to make formula milk for infants 0-3 months old.
If you have a prematurely born baby, it’s also a good practice to boil the water before making formula milk. But don’t forget that you should cool it before giving it to your baby. Babies can feel burns, too!
· How Long to Cool Boiled Water for Formula?
As we already discussed, you should boil the water for your baby’s formula milk if your infant is under three months old or is prematurely born.
But boiling water can reach up to 100°C (212°F)! That’s way too hot for the human tongue.
So, you need to cool down the boiled water before using it to make formula milk for your little pumpkin.
But how long should you wait? Well, five minutes is just enough for the water to reach the perfect temperature for formula milk.
Can You Use Distilled Water With Baby Formula?
You’ve probably heard the term distilled water before. Well, what does it actually mean? Distilled water means purified water, which doesn’t contain minerals or other compounds.
It’s basically just 100% pure H2O. But is distilled water good for combining with baby formula?
The answer is yes! Distilled water can also benefit your baby since it doesn’t contain any harmful containments, such as:
- Viruses;
- Bacteria;
- Lead;
- Pesticides;
But it also doesn’t contain some useful minerals, so you should stop using it when your baby grows older.
Can You Mix Breast Milk and Formula?
Getting used to breastfeeding isn’t easy for both the baby and the mother. So, how can your baby eat if one of you has problems with breastfeeding?
Well, it’s possible to combine breast milk and formula milk. There are even different methods. If you have a ready-to-use baby formula, just add it to the bottle of pumped breast milk.
On the other hand, if you have powdered formula, prepare it first and then add it to the breast milk. Please note that you can’t add powdered formula directly to the breast milk. You have to prepare it first!
ALSO READ: Baby Feeding Chart: How Much Should Infants Eat in the First Year
