How Much and How Often to Feed Infant Formula

At a glance

Every baby is different. How much and how often your baby feeds will depend on their needs. Here are a few things to know about infant formula feeding during their first days, weeks, and months.

Talk with your child's doctor or nurse

If you have questions about your baby's growth or how much infant formula he or she is taking, talk with their doctor or nurse.

Your newborn baby's belly is tiny. They do not need a lot of infant formula with each feeding to be full. If your baby is only getting infant formula and no breast milk, start by offering them 1 to 2 ounces of infant formula every 2 to 3 hours in the first days of life. Give them more if they show signs of hunger.

Most infant formula-fed newborns will feed 8 to 12 times in 24 hours. Talk with your baby's doctor or nurse about how much infant formula is right for them.

As your baby grows, their belly grows too. They will be able to drink more infant formula at each feeding, and the time between feedings will get longer.

First weeks and months

Over the first few weeks and months, the time between feedings will get longer. Most formula-fed infants will feed about every 3 to 4 hours at this age. This means you may need to wake your baby to feed. You can try patting, stroking, undressing, or changing the diaper to help wake your baby.

Some feeding sessions may be long, and other feedings short. That's OK. Babies generally take what they need at each feeding and stop eating when full.

Does your baby need additional vitamin D?

Babies receiving about 32 ounces or more of infant formula each day do not need additional vitamin D. Infant formula is fortified with vitamin D. Babies fed breast milk exclusively or less than 32 ounces of infant formula each day need extra vitamin D, starting shortly after birth. They can get this through over-the-counter vitamin D drops.

6 to 12 months old

Continue feeding your baby when they show signs of hunger. Most 6 to 12-month-olds will need infant formula or solid foods about 5 to 6 times in 24 hours.

As your baby gradually eats more solid foods, they will gradually need less infant formula.

12 to 24 months old

When your toddler is 12 months old, you can switch from infant formula to plain, unsweetened, pasteurized whole cow's milk or fortified unsweetened dairy alternatives. You can do this gradually. You may want to start by replacing one infant formula feeding with cow's milk to help your child transition.

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