Formula Question - Lake Elsinore, CA

I just went on the website for the formula I was using, it happened to be Similac, and they will have a chart to give a general guideline to what a baby will need at each age. I tended to just feed at will initially, they usually let you know when they are hungry and when they don't want or need anymore.

Good luck, my little one also started formula at 3 months and she is a thriving 6 months:-)

Good advice from the 2 other posters.

Must add: always put the water in the bottle first, THEN add the Formula powder. Otherwise, it will be too "concentrated" if you put in the powder then the water.

Even when on Formula, always feed ON demand. NOT per a schedule. And still, just like when breastfeeding, when going through growth spurts, a baby will need/want more feedings... and this is 24/7. Day and night.

My son, from about 6-8 months old, took Formula in conjunction with my nursing. He had a GINORMOUS appetite, and per various things, my Ped advised to supplement him with Formula. It was fine. What I would do is nurse first, then give him a bottle... gradually, when he was about 1 year old, he just self-weaned from breast.

Each baby is different. Always ask your Pediatrician if you have questions, or need suggestions as well.

each baby will drink varying amounts.. and it is NEVER the same amount each day, because they are constantly growing or teething and like an adult, their appetites can vary. So... this is why, always feed ON demand.... he is only 3 months old.

What I would do is make a bottle that is about 6 ounces. Then see how he drinks that. If he gulps it down and finishes the bottle in 1 sitting, then you can add more... and gauge his intake/appetite that way. If he finishes the whole bottle and "seems" to want more, then certainly, make another bottle or make a bit more... maybe 2 more ounces. Then give it to him and see. That way, you will get to know his intake/appetite needs.
Try not to "under" feed. Otherwise he will not be getting enough intake and may still be hungry.
So just gauge him... and see what his typical intake is.
Some babies drink a lot, some don't.
My son at that age, took about 6 ounces, per sitting. That is after I nursed him. And he'd want to feed every 3 hours or less. And he "cluster fed" on top of that at times, during growth spurts and developmental changes.

So, that is why, feed "on demand."

All the best,
Susan

TOTALLY depends on the child. Some will tell you their 3 month olds drank as little as 2 or 3 ounces per feeding, others 20 ounces per feeding. This is in part genetic and in part developmental. Even twins eat different amounts on different schedules.

Most typically babies will tell you when they're hungry (the licking of lips, rooting, or finally crying if you haven't been paying attention & or have been asleep) and tell you when they're full (they stop). The pattern of eating changes as they grow, and can change day by day. Some babes do cluster feeding (a few times an hour even), others have long stretches in between. The same baby may do one one day, and the other on the next day...although we usually have a few weeks at least in one type before the next. Very few babies actually need to be put on a diet (trying to get them to consume more or less than they have been)...although many parents DO primarily out of their own eating disorders or out of financial hardship (formula can cost as much as $40 a DAY in some cases).

Formula can also get a bit tricky...

A) in the stuff that has added "X" in it. Added iron can be a BIG problem, or it may be absolutely required for anemic wee ones. It's usually better to avoid the added "X" unless told to by your pediatrician...and at that point make SURE you're monitoring. If your baby is consuming 120oz in a day that makes a big difference in how much added "X" they're getting than if they're eating 25oz in a day. I knew a mum who had to give her daughter 10oz of iron formula, and then the other 35 were all regular.

B) In that it is different that human milk...and it can take babies a little while for their bodies to adjust to it (eating too much, too little, gas, constipation, reflux, etc.).

If at ALL possible (i know sometimes it sure ISN'T, -adoption, chemo, deployments, meds, what have you-) ...try to continue breast milk for as much, as long as possible.

Regardless...work with your pediatrician & lactation consultants to determine the best types & amounts of formula. You'll become expert very very quickly...but the beginning can be difficult. Gosh. That seems nearly true of everything, doesn't it?

Good Luck

As SH says feed on demand. SH's reply is great. I agree with her. Babies need their food for growing mentally and physically so it's very important to feed them when there hungry. My son ate every 2-3 hours. Yes even thru the night. If you meet there needs now the are more secure later.
Sue

At ages 3-4 months, they should have 4-5 feedings of-7 oz. each. This is from the Similac website and handbook that I got in the mail.

My husband researched it recently, since I just went back to work, because he wanted to know how much formula to have on hand for our 5 month old twins.

i would try 4oz to start off with then if he is still hungry then try 2 more ounces. also a good thing to is to mix your breast milk into the bottle until he is fully adjusted to the formula (first day 2oz formula 2oz breast milk do this for 3 days then only 1oz breast milk for the rest of the week then all formula). when my daughter was 3 months she was eating every 4 hours. so timing wise just go off of your babies schedual if he eats every 2 hours feed him every 2 hours. also if you havent decided on a formula i suggest good start because its ultra gentle :)

It's really whatever he wants. My daughter took about 3-4 oz every 3 hrs give or take.

This site saved my life when I started combo feeding my son at 9 months old. Good Luck!!

http://www.babycenter.com/0_how-to-tell-how-much-formula-...