Quick Answer
Most 8 month old babies need around 24-32 ounces of formula per day, divided into 4-5 feedings. The exact amount can vary based on the baby’s age, size, and appetite. Speak with your pediatrician if you have concerns about how much formula your 8 month old is drinking.
How Much Formula Do 8 Month Olds Need?
The amount of formula an 8 month old needs can vary from baby to baby. Here are some general guidelines on formula intake for 8 month olds:
- 24-32 ounces per day
- 6-8 ounces per feeding
- 4-5 feedings per day
However, every baby is different. Some 8 month olds may need more or less formula than this. The key is to watch your baby’s hunger cues and offer formula accordingly. If they seem hungry or unsatisfied after feedings, they may need more ounces. If they frequently leave formula in the bottle, they may need fewer ounces.
Factors That Influence Formula Intake
Several factors can impact how much formula an 8 month old needs:
- Age: Formula needs tend to decrease slightly as babies get older. A newly turned 8 month old may need more than one closer to 9 months.
- Size: Bigger babies often have bigger appetites and need more formula than smaller babies.
- Activity level: Active babies burn more calories and may need more formula.
- Solid foods: As babies eat more solids, formula intake decreases. The more solids an 8 month old eats, the less formula they may need.
- Health conditions: Issues like reflux or food sensitivities can affect formula intake.
If you have any concerns about your baby’s formula intake, consult their pediatrician. They can help determine if your 8 month old is getting enough based on their individual needs. Don’t try to force a baby to finish a bottle – always follow their hunger cues.
Signs Your 8 Month Old Needs More Formula
How can you tell if your 8 month old isn’t getting enough formula? Here are some common signs that your baby may need more ounces per feeding or per day:
- Seems hungry right after finishing a bottle
- Drains bottle quickly and eagerly
- Chews hands or rooting instinctively after feeding
- Fussy, crying, or unsettled between feedings
- Not having enough wet diapers daily
- Waking frequently at night to feed
- Not gaining weight appropriately
If you notice any of these cues, try offering your baby an extra 1-2 ounces per feeding for a day or two and see if it improves their mood and satisfaction. Some 8 month olds go through growth spurts when they need to temporarily up their formula intake.
Signs Your 8 Month Old Needs Less Formula
On the other hand, these are signs your 8 month old may be getting too much formula:
- Leaving several ounces in bottles consistently
- Spitting up large amounts after feedings
- Seems uninterested or turns head away during feedings
- Taking a very long time to finish a bottle
- Having fewer wet diapers than normal
If your baby is showing these behaviors, try decreasing each bottle by 1-2 ounces and monitoring their hunger cues. Some babies naturally start to eat less formula as they get older or become more interested in solid foods.
Tips for Feeding an 8 Month Old Formula
Here are some useful tips to keep in mind when formula feeding your 8 month old:
- Offer the bottle slowly and pace the feeding so your baby doesn’t drink too fast.
- Hold your baby semi-upright during feedings to prevent ear infections.
- Burp halfway through and at the end of each feeding.
- Heat bottles gently until lukewarm, not hot.
- Don’t force your baby to finish a bottle if they seem disinterested.
- Try different nipple sizes if your baby seems frustrated with bottle feeding.
- Aim for the lower end of recommended amounts, then adjust based on hunger cues.
Sticking to a consistent feeding schedule with around 4-5 feedings a day also helps ensure your baby gets enough formula. But keep in mind that amount of formula needed can frequently change at this age as solids are introduced.
Supplementing With Solids at 8 Months
Starting around 6 months, breastfed and formula fed babies are typically ready to begin eating solid foods to complement their formula or breastmilk intake. By 8 months old, here’s what feeding may look like:
- Breastmilk or formula: 24-32 ounces per day
- Solids: 2-3 meals per day of pureed or mashed vegetables, fruits, cereals, and meats
As your baby gets used to eating solids, their formula needs will slowly start decreasing. Signs your 8 month old is ready for more solid foods include:
- Can sit upright and hold their head steady
- Opens mouth when food is offered
- Moves food from spoon to throat
- Doubled birth weight
Introduce new solid foods one at a time and watch for any signs of allergies or intolerance. It can take some trial and error to find the perfect balance between formula and solids. Have patience and follow your baby’s lead during this transition.
FAQs About 8 Month Old Formula Intake
How much formula should I give per feeding?
Most 8 month olds will take around 6-8 ounces per bottle, given 4-5 times a day. If your baby seems hungry or unsatisfied with 6 ounces, try increasing to 7 or 8 and see if their behavior improves.
How often should an 8 month old eat?
At 8 months, most babies eat every 3-4 hours. This includes 4-5 bottles and 2-3 solid food meals spaced throughout the day. Watch your baby’s cues – if they seem hungry sooner than 3 hours, offer more frequent smaller feedings.
What if my 8 month old wakes at night – should I feed them?
If your 8 month old wakes at night, first try comforting techniques like a pacifier, rocking, or singing to see if they will settle without feeding. If the waking persists for several nights or they seem hungry, add in a dream feed around 10pm to get more calories in before bed.
How do I get more calories in my 8 month old’s diet?
If your pediatrician recommends adding calories for a small 8 month old, try offering an extra bottle or serving more high calorie solids like avocado, full fat yogurt, nut butters, cheese, and cooked egg yolks. You can also add extra formula powder to increase the concentration.
Is my baby getting too much formula?
Signs of too much formula include leaving several ounces behind consistently, spitting up often, lack of interest in feeding, more frequent stools, and taking a very long time to finish bottles. If you see these cues, try decreasing the amount offered at each feeding.
The Takeaway
The ideal formula intake for an 8 month old is typically around 24-32 ounces per day. But every baby has unique nutritional needs. Make sure to watch your baby’s hunger and fullness cues, patterns of weight gain or loss, and consult your pediatrician with any feeding concerns. With time and patience, you’ll find the right balance of formula and solids to help your 8 month old thrive.