Feeding a baby is a task you should approach with all seriousness and readiness for unexpected challenges. The truth is, you never know what your baby will do next. You can’t predict the time when they will be hungry, sleepy, or active. However, there is a way you can prepare for this—you need to have as much research as you can about the amount of milk your baby should consume along with a potential feeding schedule. In this guide, we’ll look at both.
How much formula should your baby drink?
First of all, remember that your baby’s stomach is very small, so don’t give too much of the formula at one feeding. Instead, split the feedings into a few sessions per day. Here is how much your baby will possibly need (remember that the final number depends on their age and weight):
- 2 months old: 3-6 ounces every 2-3 hours. This means that your child will consume from 18 to 32 ounces of baby formula during the period of 24 hours.
- 3 months old: 4-6 ounces every 4 hours. This means that your child will consume from 24 to 36 ounces of baby formula during the period of 24 hours.
- 4 months old: 5-7 ounces every 4-5 hours. This means that your child will consume from 24 to 32 ounces of baby formula during the period of 24 hours.
- 5 months old: 6-8 ounces approximately 5 days per day. This means that your child will consume from 24 to 36 ounces of baby formula during the period of 24 hours.
- 6 months old: 6-8 ounces around 4-5 times per day. This means that your child will consume from 24 to 32 ounces of baby formula during the period of 24 hours.
Keep in mind that all of these amounts are just a recommendation and they may not work for your child, and that’s okay.
What is the best newborn feeding schedule?
Unfortunately, there is no right answer to this question. Your baby is likely to know nothing about different schedules, so you’ll have to feed your baby based on whether they are hungry or not. In other words, you’ll have to feed your baby on demand. Here are some hunger cues you should look for:
- Puts hands in a mouth or opens it;
- Reaches for food or points at it;
- Has clenched hands;
- Licks or puckers lips;
- Gets excited when sees food;
- Use gestures and sounds to show you that they are hungry.
These are just some examples, and your child might choose a different way to show their hunger. Make sure you listen to them and learn to understand what they do when they are full or hungry.
It might be challenging, but you’ll have to go with the baby’s flow instead of forcing your baby to eat according to your schedule. Of course, you can also look at guidelines, but even if you decide to go for a European formula, it’s likely that the instructions will be the same and if they don’t work with your child, there is nothing to worry about, you’ll just have to follow your baby in this one.
To sum it up
It is understandable that you always want your child to be well-fed and calm. However, things are not likely to go the way you planned. And that’s okay–nothing should stop you from providing your child with everything they need. But still, it’s best to prepare yourself for any possible ordeals and obstacles there might be ahead of you. This is why it’s best to take care of all matters right away: from choosing the right formula to understanding when your baby is hungry, it’s important to be fully prepared for anything. Good luck to you!