Signs of Hunger and Fullness
Whether you’re using a formula, nursing, pumping, or a combination of all these feeding methods, tune in to your baby’s hunger and fullness cues before you start crunching numbers. While each baby is unique, these are are some common hunger cues to watch for:
Crying or fussinessOpening of his mouth when touched on his chin or lipsSmacking of lips or making small sounds with his mouthSucking on fingers or placing fist in mouth
Fullness cues include:
Fidgeting or acting distractedSlowing down or falling asleepSpitting out formulaStopping feeding or only taking a few sucks before pausing
How to Calculate Formula Needs
In addition to looking for cues to when your baby is hungry and when they’ve had enough, you can use different techniques to estimate the amount of formula to prepare. But again, from one day to the next, your baby may want more or less at any feeding. So watching for hunger/fullness cues is important.
By Weight
This equation can be used regardless of what type of infant formula you use (cow milk formula, soy-based formula, etc). Most babies are satisfied with 3 to 4 ounces per feeding in the first month. You’ll begin to increase the amount by 1 ounce per month, leveling off at about 7 to 8 ounces per feeding. For example, a 12-pound baby would likely need 30 ounces in a 24-hour period. To determine how many ounces per bottle, divide the ounces needed in a 24-hour period by the number of feedings your baby takes during that time. So, if your 12-pound baby needs 30 ounces a day and takes 6 bottles in a 24-hour period, then each bottle would need to be approximately 5 ounces.
Newborns: 2 to 3 ounces per feedingOne month: 4 ounces per feedingTwo months: 4 to 5 ounces per feedingFour months: 4 to 6 ounces per feedingSix months: 6 to 8 ounces per feeding
Signs of Over- or Under-feeding
Signs that you are not feeding your baby enough can include persistent crying, decreased urine output, a wrinkly look to the skin, dry roof of the mouth, and increased sleep. Your baby should be wetting at least four diapers a day. Their bowel movements should be no firmer than peanut butter. Hard or dry stools can be a sign that your baby is not adequately hydrated. Generally speaking, it’s best to time feedings to allow your baby to take bottles that have less formula, which means you’ll be giving them more frequently (as opposed to giving larger amounts of formula less often). If you are concerned about your baby’s weight or if you think they are losing or gaining weight too rapidly, talk to your pediatrician. There was an error. Please try again.
