How Much Formula Should a Newborn Eat

Being a parent and having a newborn dependent on you to meet all its needs can be a little stressful. One of the things parents are most worried about tends to be ensuring their baby gets enough to eat.

This article provides helpful information on how much formula babies need, signs that a baby is hungry and how to confirm that a newborn is getting enough nutrients. Check out our article on newborn breastmilk guidelines if you’re breastfeeding.

ON-DEMAND FEEDING: GIVING NEWBORNS THE NUTRITION THEY NEED

First-time parents are sometimes surprised at how hungry newborns are. However, considering how fast babies grow in their first weeks and months of life, it makes sense that they want to eat frequently. In fact, eating and sleeping (which are both necessary for growth) are most of what a newborn does. So, pediatricians recommend practicing on-demand feedings, meaning providing nutrients whenever your baby wants to eat.

Each baby’s nutritional needs are unique. However, newborns typically consume one to two ounces of formula per feeding eight to 12 times throughout the day and night. In approximately two weeks, their stomachs have grown enough to accommodate two to three ounces per feeding while maintaining the same number of meals.

Within a month, they’re typically up to three or four ounces per feeding, but the number of feedings tends to be more like eight to 10. That trend continues as they get older: larger quantities and fewer feedings.

HOW CAN I TELL IF MY BABY IS HUNGRY?

It’s remarkable how quickly parents begin to understand their newborn’s wants and needs, especially since the baby can’t verbalize them. Some of the signs you’ll notice that your newborn is hungry include:

• Moving their head from side to side
• Opening their mouth
• Sticking out their tongue
• Putting their fingers or hands in their mouth
• Puckering their lips as if they’re sucking
• Rubbing their head against their mother’s breasts
• Demonstrating the rooting reflex

The rooting reflex is where they move their mouth in the direction of something touching their cheek. These behaviors occur naturally with babies and very rapidly become unmistakable to parents.

Babies also cry when they’re hungry. However, crying is a late sign of hunger, so it’s best to spot the other cues and take action before then. Crying can also mean they’re tired, overstimulated, need to be changed or sick, so it’s a more ambiguous sign and harder to interpret.

HOW TO KNOW IF YOUR NEWBORN IS GETTING ENOUGH TO EAT

You’re responding to signs that your newborn is hungry and feeding them on demand, but how do you know if they’re getting enough to eat? Here again, there are some pretty clear indicators you can look for.

First, if they seem satisfied after eating, that’s a good sign. If a newborn has two or three wet diapers initially (quickly ramping up to five or six) and around four soiled diapers daily, that also points to them getting enough food.

In addition, your pediatrician will check and record your baby’s weight and height at each visit and create a growth chart that compares their progress to the average. If there are any issues, they’ll catch them early and can recommend ways to provide your baby with more nutrients.

GET GUIDANCE ON NEWBORN NUTRITION FROM BAPTIST HEALTH

Your baby is depending on you to meet their nutritional needs. But don’t worry — you can count on us to meet your need for information! If you have questions about how much or how often to feed your baby, your Baptist Health pediatrician can answer them.

If you don’t have a Baptist Health provider, our online directory is an excellent resource for finding one.

Next Steps and Helpful Resources