Quick Answer
Most 6 month old babies should have around 4-8 ounces per bottle. The amount can vary based on the baby’s age, size, and appetite. As a general rule, offer 2-3 ounces per feeding for the first month, increase to 4-5 ounces at 2 months, 5-6 ounces at 4 months, and 6-8 ounces by 6 months. Watch for cues that baby is full or still hungry to determine the right amount.
How Much Formula or Breastmilk Do 6 Month Olds Need?
At 6 months old, babies need around 24-32 ounces of breastmilk or formula in total over the course of the day. This averages to about 4-6 feedings per day.
Here are some general guidelines on daily feeding amounts by age:
| Age | Total Ounces Per Day |
|---|---|
| 0-1 month | 16-24 oz |
| 1-3 months | 24-32 oz |
| 4-6 months | 24-32 oz |
However, each baby is different. The number of daily feedings and amount per bottle depends on factors like:
– Baby’s size and growth rate
– If baby is breastfed or formula fed
– Baby’s appetite and signs of hunger/fullness
– If baby is eating any solid foods
The best way to know if your 6 month old is getting enough milk is to watch their weight gain, diaper output, and signs of satiety. If all seems well, then they are likely getting sufficient ounces per day.
How Many Ounces Per Bottle at 6 Months?
At 6 months, most babies take between 4-8 ounces per bottle on average. But some may take less or more depending on the factors above.
Here are some common bottle feeding ranges by age:
– Newborns: 2-3 oz
– 1-2 months: 3-5 oz
– 3-5 months: 4-6 oz
– 6+ months: 4-8 oz
When bottle feeding your 6 month old, keep these tips in mind:
– Respect baby’s cues for when they are full or still hungry
– Offer the lowest amount first and increase gradually
– Give time to burp and settle between ounce increments
– Avoid forcing baby to finish a bottle
– Stick to a routine of consistent bottle sizes
If your baby tends to guzzle bottles too quickly or fusses for more ounces, try paced bottle feeding to prevent overeating. Check with your pediatrician if you have concerns about amount per bottle.
Factors That Affect Ounces Per Bottle
There are a few key factors that impact how many ounces a 6 month old needs in each bottle:
1. Baby’s age and size
Younger babies have smaller stomach capacities so they take in less per bottle. As babies grow bigger between 4-6 months, their stomach size increases and so too should the amount of milk per bottle.
2. Breastfed vs formula fed
Breastfed babies tend to take in less volume per feeding than formula fed babies. That’s because breastmilk is more easily digested and concentrated. Expect breastfed babies to take around 4-6 oz per bottle while formula fed babies may take closer to 6-8 oz.
3. Solids and total daily intake
If your 6 month old has started solid foods like cereals and purees, they will likely need less milk overall in a day. Aim to offer solids first, then follow up with a bottle. Gradually reduce bottle sizes as solids increase.
4. Baby’s appetite and rate of growth
All babies grow at different rates, especially in the first 6 months. Faster growing babies or those hitting growth spurts may seem extra hungry and need more ounces per bottle. Let your baby’s cues guide how much milk they need.
5. Self-regulation
Some babies are better at self-regulating milk intake than others. Easygoing babies will stop eating when full. More impatient babies may overeat if bottles are served too quickly. Watch for satiety cues and adjust each feeding accordingly.
Signs Baby Wants More or is Full
Since 6 month olds consume widely varying amounts per bottle, it’s important to respect each baby’s hunger and fullness signals. Watch for these feeding cues:
Signs baby wants MORE milk:
– Sucking or rooting motions with mouth
– Hands to mouth gestures
– Increased alertness or excitement when seeing bottle
– Crying or fussing when pulled off bottle
Signs baby is FULL:
– Decreased or stops sucking
– Turns head away from nipple
– Hands pushing bottle away
– Falling asleep
– Milk leaking from mouth
– Spitting up
Responding to these signals can prevent over or underfeeding. Some babies will take the same amount each bottle, while others will vary hourly. Both patterns are normal as long as baby seems satisfied and is gaining weight appropriately.
Setting a Bottle Feeding Schedule
Having a consistent bottle feeding routine helps ensure your 6 month old gets adequate nutrition. Here are some tips for scheduling bottles:
-Aim for 4-6 bottle feedings spaced 2.5-4 hours apart
– Offer bigger bottles during the day, smaller bottles for night
– Give bottles when baby seems hungry, not by the clock
– Have a predictable pre-bedtime feeding to encourage sleep
– Wean night feeds as solids increase and per pediatrician guidance
– Avoid grazing (frequent small bottles) which can impact sleep
Keep in mind feeding schedules can vary day-to-day. Follow your baby’s hunger cues over sticking rigidly to a timing. Check with your pediatrician if you are concerned your 6 month old is not finishing bottles or seems constantly hungry.
Tips for Paced Bottle Feeding
Paced bottle feeding is an excellent technique to use if your 6 month old tends to guzzle bottles too fast. It helps prevent overeating, spit up, and gas. Here’s how to do it:
– Hold baby upright in feeding position
– Gently rub nipple along lips to encourage sucking
– Point bottle nipple downward to control flow
– Tip bottle so milk fills only bottom quarter of nipple
– Allow baby to suck, swallow, and breathe between gulps
– Break suction to burp halfway through bottle
– Respond to hunger/fullness cues to end feeding
The goal is to feed in a way that matches baby’s natural feeding rhythm. This helps them recognize feelings of fullness. Take paced feeding slowly and do not rush your baby.
Common Bottle Sizes for 6 Month Olds
Most full-term healthy babies will take somewhere around 4-8 ounces per bottle by 6 months old. Here are some typical bottle sizes you may see at this age:
- 4-5 ounces – Smaller or petite babies, some breastfed babies
- 5-6 ounces – Average sized babies, combination fed babies
- 6-7 ounces – Larger babies, some formula fed babies
- 8+ ounces – Heavier babies with bigger appetites
Bottle size depends on many factors like birth weight, medical conditions, activity level, and rate of growth. Respect your baby’s cues and only increase bottle amounts gradually.
Aim to stay within the recommended daily fluid intake of 24-32 ounces. Larger bottles don’t necessarily mean better nutrition if they exceed baby’s stomach capacity.
Signs Baby Needs Larger Bottle
How do you know when it’s time to size up your 6 month old’s bottles? Watch for these signs your baby may need more ounces:
– Draining bottles quickly and eagerly
– Increased fussiness between feeds
– Waking more at night to feed
– Diapers not as heavy with urine/stool
– Not lasting 2.5-4 hours between feeds
– Dropping in weight percentile
While an extra ounce or two is fine every now and then at feeding time, consistent larger bottles may indicate underfeeding. Have your pediatrician assess your baby’s growth trajectory.
When sizing up, go slow. Increase just 1-2 ounces total per day. This allows your baby’s stomach time to adjust to larger feeds.
Signs Baby Needs Smaller Bottles
On the flip side, these are signs your 6 month old may need fewer ounces per bottle:
– Spitting up often or wet burps after feeds
– Colicky, gassy, or irritable during/after feeds
– Consistently leaving 1-2 ounces in bottles
– Difficulty finishing bottles
– Falling asleep at the beginning of feeds
– Bottles taking over 30 minutes to finish
– Rapid weight gain or high percentile
Try decreasing bottles by 1 ounce at a time if you observe these behaviors. Allow your baby’s appetite and fullness signals to drive bottle amounts.
FAQs on Ounces Per Bottle for 6 Month Olds
How many ounces are appropriate for a 6 month old?
Most 6 month olds will take 4-8 ounces per bottle, with a total daily intake of about 24-32 ounces. However, each baby is different so follow their hunger/fullness cues.
How do I know if baby needs bigger or smaller bottles?
Signs your 6 month old needs more per bottle include draining bottles quickly, increased night wakings, and not lasting 2.5-4 hours between feeds. Signs they may need less include frequent spit up, gassiness, and difficulty finishing feeds.
Should bottle amounts be increased at 6 months?
As babies grow between 4-6 months, their stomach capacity increases and they require more milk at each feeding. Aim to increase each bottle by 1-2 ounces around this time, but only if baby seems hungry for more.
How much breastmilk should a 6 month old get per feeding?
Breastfed babies usually take 4-6 oz per bottle at 6 months. Monitor wet diapers and weight gain to ensure adequate intake. Offer small amounts first and increase gradually based on hunger cues.
What size bottle nipples should 6 month olds use?
Most babies do well with a size 2 nipple around 6 months. Switch nipples gradually and watch for choking or too fast/slow flow. Breastfed babies may prefer slower flow nipples.
The Takeaway
Determining the right bottle size for your growing 6 month old involves paying attention to their unique cues, appetite, and rate of growth. While 4-8 ounces per bottle is typical at this age, every baby differs. Let your pediatrician guide you on formula/breastmilk needs and watch your baby for signs of hunger and fullness to reach the optimal amount per feeding. With a responsive, consistent approach to bottle feeding, your baby will thrive.
