How much formula does a baby need?
Newborns start with tiny amounts, often 1 to 2 ounces per feed, and work up to 6 to 8 ounces by 6 months. These are averages from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Your baby's hunger and fullness signs matter more than any chart.
The short version, from the AAP:
First week: no more than about 1 to 2 ounces per feed.
By the end of the first month: about 3 to 4 ounces per feed.
By 6 months: 6 to 8 ounces at each of 4 or 5 feeds a day.
Formula amounts by age
| Age | Per feed (average) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| First day or two | About half an ounce | AAP |
| First days of life | 1 to 2 ounces every 2 to 3 hours to start, more if baby shows hunger signs | CDC |
| First week | No more than about 1 to 2 ounces (30 to 60 ml) | AAP |
| During the first month | Gradually up to 3 to 4 ounces (90 to 120 ml) | AAP |
| By 6 months | 6 to 8 ounces (180 to 240 ml), 4 or 5 feeds a day | AAP |
Between 1 and 6 months, the amount per feed grows gradually while the number of feeds goes down. The official sources do not give a single number for each month in between, and neither do we.
The 2.5 ounces per pound rule
On average, the AAP says a baby should take in about 2½ ounces (75 ml) of formula a day for every pound of body weight. For a 10 pound baby, that is about 25 ounces spread over the whole day, not per feed.
The same page adds that babies will probably regulate their intake from day to day to meet their own needs. Some days are hungrier than others, and growth spurts are real.
Is there a maximum?
Yes. The AAP says a baby should usually drink no more than an average of about 32 ounces (960 ml) of formula in 24 hours. If your baby regularly seems to want more, talk with your pediatrician.
Signs your baby has had enough
Look for your baby closing their mouth, turning their head away from the bottle or relaxing their hands. The AAP adds that a baby who gets fidgety or easily distracted during a feed is probably finished. See our hunger and fullness cues guide.
Common questions
How many ounces should a newborn eat?
In the first days, 1 to 2 ounces every 2 to 3 hours is a typical start, according to the CDC, with more if your baby shows hunger signs. In the first day or two, some babies take only about half an ounce per feed.
How much formula for a 1 month old?
By the end of the first month, about 3 to 4 ounces per feed, according to the AAP.
How much formula for a 6 month old?
About 6 to 8 ounces at each of 4 or 5 feeds a day, according to the AAP.
Sources
- American Academy of Pediatrics, Amount and Schedule of Formula Feedings: healthychildren.org
- American Academy of Pediatrics, How Often and How Much Should Your Baby Eat?: healthychildren.org
- CDC, How Much and How Often to Feed Infant Formula: cdc.gov
Written by the FeedEase team. Every number on this page is checked against the sources above. This is general information, not medical advice: every baby is different, so check with your pediatrician.
