When it comes to bottle feeding breastmilk to babies, a common question that arises for new parents is how many ounces of breastmilk should go in each bottle. There are a few key factors to consider when determining the right amount of breastmilk per bottle for your baby.
Average Breastmilk Intake by Age
As a general rule of thumb, the average breastmilk intake for babies is:
- Newborns (0-1 month): 2-3 ounces per feeding
- 1-3 months: 4-5 ounces per feeding
- 3-5 months: 5-6 ounces per feeding
- 6-8 months: 6-8 ounces per feeding
However, every baby is different and may need more or less than the averages listed above. It’s important to follow your baby’s lead and look for signs of hunger and fullness rather than sticking to a strict amount per feeding.
Factors That Impact Breastmilk Intake
There are several factors that can impact how much breastmilk a baby needs in a bottle at each feeding:
- Age: Intake generally increases as babies get older and bigger. Newborns have tiny tummies so they need less volume more frequently. By 3-5 months, babies take in bigger feeds less often.
- Size: Larger babies may need more milk than smaller babies. Growth spurts can also increase appetite temporarily.
- Physical Activity: Active awake periods can increase calorie needs and hunger.
- Milk Composition: Foremilk (at the start of a feed) is higher in lactose while hindmilk (at the end) is higher in fat. Getting a good balance maximizes calories.
- Time of Day: Babies tend to cluster feed in the evenings when milk volume is highest. They may need less volume in the day.
- Solid Food Intake: As babies start solids around 6 months, they need less breastmilk/formula to meet calorie needs.
It’s best to follow your baby’s hunger and fullness cues rather than sticking to a set amount per bottle. If your baby seems hungry after finishing a bottle, offer more. If they constantly leave milk in the bottle, try offering less at each feeding.
Pace Feeding
To prevent overfeeding, it’s recommended to pace bottle feeds. Pace feeding involves:
- Holding the baby semi-upright in a tucked position during feeds
- Keeping the bottle horizontal to control the milk flow
- Pulling the bottle out of the baby’s mouth periodically to slow the feed
- Providing short breaks to allow the baby to breathe and swallow
This helps babies recognize when they are full, reducing the risk of overeating. Going too fast or forcing a baby to finish a bottle can override their fullness signals and lead to overfeeding.
Signs Baby Is Still Hungry
If your baby seems hungry after finishing their bottle, signs can include:
- Rooting (opening mouth and looking for breast/bottle)
- Fussiness
- Hands to mouth
- Sucking motions
Offer another 1-2 ounces and wait 5-10 minutes to see if they take more. Don’t force a baby to finish a bottle if they refuse more.
Signs Baby Is Full
Watch for these cues during bottle feeds to know when your baby is full:
- Turning head away from bottle
- Decreased or stopped sucking
- Spitting out nipple or pushing bottle away
- Milk leaking from mouth
- Closing lips together
- Increased fussiness or crying
- Arched back
Never try to coerce or force a baby to take more milk once they show signs of fullness. This can lead to overfeeding and vomiting.
How to Know if Baby is Getting Enough Milk
To ensure your baby is getting enough breastmilk, look for these signs:
- 6+ wet diapers per day by day 5-7
- 3-4 yellow, seedy bowel movements per day by day 5-7
- Weight gain of 4-8 ounces per week
- Alert and active when awake
- Satisfied between feeds
If you are concerned your baby is not getting enough breastmilk, consult a lactation consultant. They can do a weighted feed to measure actual intake.
Things to Keep in Mind
- Breastmilk intake can vary from feed to feed and day to day based on baby’s needs.
- During growth spurts, baby may seem hungrier for a few days.
- Heat waves can increase calorie needs and appetite.
- Sickness can temporarily decrease appetite.
- Introducing solids around 6 months decreases amount of breastmilk/formula needed.
- Always follow baby’s hunger/fullness cues over sticking to a set amount per bottle.
How Much Breastmilk Should I Pump?
If you are pumping and bottle feeding breastmilk, it’s helpful to know how much milk you should aim to pump. Common pumping goals are:
- First week: 2-3 ounces per session
- 1-6 weeks: 4-8 ounces per session
- 2-3 months: 8-12 ounces per session
- 4-6 months: 12-16 ounces per session
Again, keep in mind that every mother’s supply is different. The best way to determine if you are pumping enough milk is to watch your baby’s weight gain, diaper output, and satisfaction between feeds. If all seems well, then your supply matches your baby’s needs.
Increase Breastmilk Supply if Needed
If you need to increase your pumped milk supply, some tips include:
- Breastfeed right before pumping to empty breasts more efficiently
- Add an extra pumping session or two per day
- Use breast compression and massage while pumping
- Ensure flange size is optimal for your breasts
- Stay hydrated and eat lactation foods like oatmeal
For persistent low supply issues, seeing a lactation consultant can help diagnose potential causes like improper latch or medical conditions.
Bottle Feeding Tips
To make bottle feeding with breastmilk go smoothly:
- Offer bottle when baby shows early hunger cues
- Choose a slow flow nipple to control milk flow
- Hold baby semi-upright during feeds
- Alternate bottle side each feed to prevent a side preference
- Burp every 2-3 ounces by holding baby upright over shoulder and patting back
- Respond to baby’s fullness cues to avoid overfeeding
- Try pacing bottle feeding if baby drinks too quickly
Storing Expressed Breastmilk Safely
Properly storing breastmilk helps preserve nutrients and prevent bacterial growth. Recommended storage guidelines are:
| Storage Location | Duration |
|---|---|
| Countertop, room temperature | Up to 4 hours |
| Refrigerator | Up to 4 days |
| Freezer section inside refrigerator | Up to 2 weeks |
| Freezer compartment of refrigerator with separate doors | 3-6 months |
| Chest or upright deep freezer | 6-12 months |
Label all pumped milk with the date. Use oldest milk first. Do not refreeze thawed milk. Bottles can be warmed by holding under warm running water or placing in a bottle warmer.
Conclusion
Determining how many ounces of breastmilk a baby needs per bottle depends on their age, size, and appetite. Watch for hunger/fullness cues and aim for the average intake by age as a guide. Paced bottle feeding helps prevent overfeeding. If you need to pump breastmilk, pumping output should match what baby drinks. With safe storage and feeding tips, bottle feeding breastmilk can help babies thrive.
