How many calories is normal formula?

When it comes to infant nutrition, calories are an important consideration for parents and caregivers. Formula-fed infants have different calorie needs than breastfed babies, so it’s helpful to understand how many calories are in formula in order to ensure baby is getting adequate nutrition for growth and development.

Quick Answer

Most standard infant formulas provide around 20 calories per fluid ounce. This calorie level is considered appropriate for formula-fed infants in the first year of life.

How Calories In Formula Are Determined

Infant formula aims to mimic the nutritional profile of breastmilk. However, breastmilk composition changes over time to meet a growing baby’s needs. Formula stays more consistent in its calorie and nutrient content.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following calorie counts for infant formula:

  • 19-30 calories/ounce for the first 2-3 months
  • 20-30 calories/ounce for 4-6 months
  • 20-30 calories/ounce for 7-12 months

Most standard formulas provide 20 calories per fluid ounce. Some formulas are more concentrated or dense, providing up to 30 calories per ounce. These are often used for catch-up growth or under medical guidance.

Key Factors That Impact Calories

There are a few key factors that determine the calorie content of formula:

  • Carbohydrates: Carbs provide the majority of calories in formula, just as they do in breastmilk. Standard formulas provide about 45-55% of calories from carbohydrates.
  • Proteins: Proteins make up about 10-15% of total calories in most formulas.
  • Fats: Dietary fats round out the remainder of calories, providing 30-40% of calories in formula.

Formulas may adjust these macronutrients slightly, as long as the overall calorie count falls within an appropriate range for the infant’s age and needs.

Calories From Specific Ingredients

Infant formula has three main components that provide calories:

  • Carbohydrates: Most often derived from lactose, corn syrup solids, or sucrose.
  • Proteins: Usually in the form of nonfat cow’s milk proteins like whey and casein.
  • Fats: Typically vegetable oils like soy, coconut, palm, or sunflower seed oil.

The calorie contribution from each gram of these macronutrients is:

  • Carbohydrates: 4 calories per gram
  • Proteins: 4 calories per gram
  • Fats: 9 calories per gram

By adjusting the grams of carbs, protein, and fat, formulas can achieve an appropriate overall calorie count.

Calories In Standard Newborn And Infant Formulas

Here is the typical calorie content per fluid ounce of popular infant formula brands and types:

Formula Calories/Ounce
Similac Advance 20
Enfamil Infant 20
Gerber Good Start Gentle 19
Earth’s Best Organic Infant 20
Parent’s Choice (Walmart brand) 20
Up & Up (Target brand) 20
Kirkland Signature (Costco brand) 20

As you can see, most standard formulas from both name brands and store brands contain 20 calories per fluid ounce.

Higher Calorie Formulas

In some cases, infants may need a higher calorie formula. These typically have 24-30 calories per ounce and include:

  • Similac NeoSure
  • Enfamil EnfaCare
  • Gerber Good Start SoothePro

Higher calorie formulas are sometimes prescribed for:

  • Preemies or low birth weight babies
  • Infants needing to gain weight quickly
  • Babies with high metabolic needs
  • Poor growth due to chronic health conditions

Always consult your pediatrician before switching to a higher calorie formula, as more calories aren’t always the answer and can sometimes cause problems.

Low Calorie Formulas

On the flip side, some babies may do better with a lower calorie formula. These are uncommon but typically have 15-19 calories per fluid ounce.

Lower calorie formulas include:

  • Similac Sensitive
  • Gerber Good Start Gentle Pro

These are sometimes used for babies who:

  • Gain weight easily
  • Have reflux
  • Are formula-fed but seem full quickly

Again, check with your doctor before switching to a low calorie formula, as your baby may still need the standard 20 calories per ounce.

Specialty And Hypoallergenic Formulas

Babies who need specialty or hypoallergenic formulas due to food intolerances, reflux, or allergies may also use formulas with altered calorie contents.

For example:

  • Similac Alimentum: 20 calories/ounce
  • Nutramigen: 20 calories/ounce
  • Elecare: 30 calories/ounce
  • PurAmino: 22 calories/ounce

Always follow your pediatrician’s recommendations if your baby needs a specialized formula.

How Many Ounces And Calories Do Babies Need?

Knowing the calories per ounce in formula is helpful, but how much should baby be drinking each day? Estimated daily calorie needs according to the AAP are:

  • 0-3 months: 100-120 calories/kg body weight
  • 4-6 months: 90-115 calories/kg
  • 7-12 months: 75-100 calories/kg

So for a 15 lb baby at 2 months old, that’s about 680-816 calories per day. If formula provides 20 calories per ounce, that same 15 lb baby would need about 34-41 ounces daily.

However, every baby is different. It’s best to follow your pediatrician’s guidance about your specific baby’s needs rather than strict calendars or charts.

Tips For Meeting Calorie Needs

If your baby seems to be taking in inadequate calories, here are some tips that may help:

  • Offer the bottle more frequently or add in an extra feeding session
  • Try a faster-flow nipple to make feedings more efficient
  • Focus feedings when baby is most hungry, such as morning and evening
  • Experiment with different formulas if baby seems to dislike the taste
  • Make sure your infant’s weight gain is on track; ask your pediatrician if concerned

While calories are important, don’t force your baby to finish a bottle. Trust your baby’s fullness cues to guide feedings.

Can I Make Formula More Calorie Dense?

Adding cereal, honey, or other ingredients to infant formula is not recommended. This alters the recipe balance and concentration and poses safety risks to your baby.

If your pediatrician recommends your baby needs additional calories, switch to a higher calorie specialty formula made for that purpose. Speak to your pediatrician before making any formula changes.

The Takeaway

Most standard infant formulas provide 20 calories per fluid ounce, which meets the needs of formula-fed babies in the first year of life.

Specialty formulas are available with higher or lower calorie contents for babies with unique needs. Always consult your pediatrician to ensure your baby’s individual nutritional needs are met.

While calories are important, remember that meeting developmental milestones and following baby’s hunger cues are better indicators of overall health than rigid calorie counts.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many ounces should a newborn eat in a day?

Newborns need to eat 8-12 times per day, or about 2-3 ounces per feeding. This amounts to 16-24 ounces per day on average. However, every baby is different – follow your baby’s hunger cues rather than sticking to a strict schedule.

Do breastfed babies need fewer calories?

Breastfed babies self-regulate the amount of calories they need by how often and how much they nurse. Their calorie intakes are highly variable. Formula fed infants get consistent calories with each bottle.

What happens if a baby eats too many calories?

Too many calories can result in rapid, unhealthy weight gain. This can increase risks later in life like childhood obesity. Stick to your doctor’s recommended formula type and feeding guidance for your baby.

Can I add cereal or other ingredients to formula?

No, you should never add ingredients to infant formula as it upsets the nutritional balance. Only increase calories under medical guidance using specialty formulas designed for that purpose.

Is a low calorie formula better for a chubby baby?

Not necessarily. Chubby or large babies still have high calorie needs, especially in the first 6 months. Rapidly restricting calories without medical advice can be dangerous. Consult your pediatrician if concerned.

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