When bringing a new baby home, parents have many questions about how to properly care for and feed their little one. One common question is how many bottles a newborn needs per day. While every baby is different, there are some general guidelines parents can follow to ensure their newborn is getting enough milk during this crucial growth period.
Newborns need to eat frequently, about 8 to 12 times in a 24-hour period. This equals out to roughly 1 feeding every 2 to 3 hours. Since newborns have tiny tummies, they can only consume a small amount of milk at each feeding, usually around 1 to 3 ounces. So in the first few months, expect to go through 6 to 8 bottles a day.
As your baby grows, he or she will take in more milk at each feeding and may not need to eat quite as frequently. Around 3 months, babies often transition to 4 to 5 larger bottles per day. But during the newborn stage, most experts recommend offering about 6 to 8 feedings spaced 2 to 3 hours apart.
So is 4 bottles enough for a newborn? In most cases, no. Limiting feedings to just 4 bottles per day would likely not provide adequate nutrition during this rapid growth phase. Read on as we explore how many bottles newborns truly need.
How Many Bottles Do Newborns Need?
In the first few months, most newborns need around 24 to 32 ounces of milk per day. This averages out to about 6 to 8 feedings spaced 2 to 3 hours apart. Here’s a breakdown:
0 to 1 Month
For the first four weeks, newborns need around 24 to 28 ounces of milk per day. Offer small feedings of 1 to 3 ounces every 2 to 3 hours. This equals out to 6 to 8 bottles per day.
1 to 3 Months
From weeks 4 to 12, increase intake to around 28 to 32 ounces per day as baby’s stomach capacity grows. Feedings are still frequent, about 7 to 8 bottles per day.
3 to 6 Months
Between months 3 to 6, babies take in 28 to 34 ounces daily. Feedings may start spacing out to every 3 to 4 hours, so baby may only need 5 to 6 bottles per day at this point.
The key is following your baby’s hunger cues rather than sticking to a rigid schedule. If they seem hungry sooner than expected, offer a bottle. An average newborn will need at least 6 bottles per day, and often closer to 8.
Signs Your Newborn Needs More Bottles
How can you tell if your baby is eating enough? Watch for these cues that your newborn needs more frequent feedings:
- Fussing or crying shortly after eating
- Seems hungry long before the next scheduled feeding
- Chewing motions or sucking on hands
- Moving head side to side rooting for milk
- Waking frequently at night wanting to eat
If your newborn displays these signs, try offering an additional bottle between regular feedings. This extra daytime feeding may help satisfy baby’s hunger and allow them to sleep longer stretches at night.
Dangers of Underfeeding a Newborn
It’s important that newborns get enough milk at frequent intervals to fuel growth and development. Underfeeding can put babies at risk for:
- Falling off their growth curve
- Failure to gain weight
- Dehydration
- Increased fussiness and crying
- Disruption in sleep patterns
- Poor feeding behavior
- Lowered immunity
In rare cases, prolonged underfeeding can lead to hospitalization to get baby’s nutrition back on track. That’s why it’s critical to watch for hunger cues and offer bottles whenever baby seems ready to eat.
How to Know if Baby is Getting Enough Milk
Wondering if your little one is getting sufficient nutrition? Look for these signs your baby is adequately fed:
- Having 6 or more wet diapers per day
- Regular bowel movements
- Steady weight gains at checkups
- Content and satisfied after eating
- Sleeping soundly between feeds
Of course, check with your pediatrician if you have any concerns. But in most cases, newborns who consume around 24 to 32 ounces per day, or 6 to 8 bottles, are getting all the milk they need to thrive.
Bottle Feeding Tips for Newborns
When feeding a newborn by bottle, keep these tips in mind:
- Choose the slowest flow nipple to prevent choking
- Hold baby upright with head and neck supported
- Don’t prop the bottle, hold it tilting so milk fills the nipple
- Aim for paced feedings of around 15-20 minutes
- Stop feeding when you see cues baby is full
- Burp halfway through and at the end of each feeding
Proper bottle feeding technique provides a safe, positive feeding experience and ensures your newborn gets the nutrition they need in those early months.
Sample Newborn Feeding Schedule
While it’s best to feed on demand, a sample schedule may look something like this:
| Time | Feeding |
|---|---|
| 7 am | 3 ounces |
| 9 am | 3 ounces |
| 11 am | 3 ounces |
| 1 pm | 3 ounces |
| 3 pm | 3 ounces |
| 5 pm | 3 ounces |
| 7 pm | 3 ounces |
| 10 pm | 3 ounces |
This totals 8 feedings or 24 ounces per day, which is an appropriate amount for a newborn under 1 month old. Remember this is just an example – always feed on demand!
When to Talk to Your Doctor
Consult your pediatrician if your newborn:
- Isn’t having the recommended 6-8 wet diapers per day
- Has fewer than 3 bowel movements per day
- Is falling off the growth curve or not steadily gaining weight
- Refuses feedings or struggles to finish bottles
- Chokes frequently when bottle feeding
- Seems excessively fussy, especially during or after eating
While it’s normal for babies to go through some growth spurts and fussy periods, talk to your doctor if you have any concerns about your newborn’s feeding patterns or nutrition intake. Most babies need around 6-8 bottles per day to meet needs.
Supplementing with Expressed Breast Milk
For breastfed babies, you can pump to get breastmilk and supplement feedings with occasional bottles. This is especially helpful for mothers who:
- Want to increase milk supply
- Need to be away from baby during feedings
- Have a baby who isn’t efficiently transferring milk from breast
Aim to pump every 2 to 3 hours, ideally 8 times per day. This will help establish and maintain your supply while also building a stash to feed baby with a bottle.
Combining direct breastfeeding with 4 to 6 bottles of pumped milk per day helps ensure newborns get all the milk they need. Be sure to pace bottle feedings to prevent overfeeding.
Formula Feeding Considerations
If providing formula, follow preparation guidelines carefully and select an infant formula designed for newborns. Most babies need around 2 to 3 ounces per feeding in the first month. Watch your baby’s cues and increase the amount as needed.
When using formula, consider offering extra water between feedings to help with hydration needs. Newborns on formula typically need around 6 to 8 bottles per day plus an additional 24 to 32 ounces of water.
Discuss your choice to formula feed with your pediatrician to ensure proper preparation, bottle hygiene, amount per feeding, and supplementation if needed. With formula, feeding on demand is also recommended to support growth.
Timing of Night Feeds
Expect to continue night feedings around the clock in the first months. Newborns have tiny stomachs and get hungry every 2 to 3 hours, even overnight. During night feeds, try to limit stimulation and keep lighting low.
Most babies this age need 2 to 3 nightly feedings. As your newborn grows, they will gradually sleep longer stretches at night. But frequent waking to eat is developmentally normal and appropriate in the early months. Stay responsive to those late night hunger cues.
Tracking Feedings
In the first weeks, it can be helpful to track feedings and diaper changes to ensure your newborn is getting adequate nutrition. There are logs and apps to record:
- Time of each feeding
- Amount consumed
- Wet or dirty diapers
- Sleep and fussiness
Bring the log to pediatrician visits for review. Tracking helps provide peace of mind that your baby is eating and developing on track.
Handling Sleepy Babies
One challenge with newborns is they often fall asleep at the breast or bottle before finishing the feeding. If your baby nods off, try:
- Changing diaper or undressing to wake them
- Gently massaging or stroking them
- Switching feeding position
- Offering a pacifier to stimulate sucking
Sleepy newborns may need extra encouragement to stay alert and continue eating. Be patient and keep trying – with time they will get better at finishing feedings.
Paced Bottle Feeding
A great technique to try with sleepy or distracted babies is paced bottle feeding. This involves:
- Holding baby upright in feeding position
- Keeping the bottle horizontal so milk fills nipple
- Pausing between swallows to breathe
- Pulling bottle out of mouth periodically
- Switching sides if baby turns away
Paced feeding keeps newborns engaged, prevents overeating, and results in a calm feeding experience. Aim for feedings to last 15 to 20 minutes.
Does Bottle Feeding Cause Gas?
Many parents worry bottle feeding leads to gassiness, but this isn’t necessarily true. There are several factors that can cause gas:
- Normal immature digestive system
- Swallowing too much air during feeds
- Sensitivity to ingredients in formula
- Overfeeding or feeding too quickly
Proper feeding techniques can help reduce air swallowing. Smaller, paced feeds may also minimize gas issues. If you think formula is causing gas, discuss options with your pediatrician.
Spitting Up
It’s also very common for newborns to spit up, sometimes large amounts. As long as your baby is gaining weight, this “happy spitter” behavior is normal and not a sign of overfeeding. Strategies to reduce spitting up include:
- Frequent burping during and after feeds
- Keeping baby upright 20-30 minutes after eating
- Thickening bottle with rice cereal if advised by pediatrician
- Holding baby on left side to avoid pressing on stomach
If spitting up is excessive, causing discomfort or disrupting feeding, do point it out at your next checkup. But some babies are just more prone to spitting up without issue.
Caring for Bottles
Proper bottle hygiene is key, especially when bottle feeding a newborn with an immature immune system. Guidelines include:
- Cleaning bottles and nipples after each use
- Sterilizing bottles before first use
- Storing milk safely and discarding after use
- Never freezing milk in bottles
- Not warming bottles in the microwave
Keep things sterile when preparing formula as well. Talk to your pediatrician if you have any concerns about bottle feeding safety.
Weaning from Bottle to Cup
Around 6 to 12 months, you can start introducing an open top cup and work towards weaning off the bottle. Set your child up for success by:
- Offering water or milk in the cup between bottle feeds
- Trying a free-flow cup without handles or valves
- Practicing with cup sitting up only to avoid choking
- Being patient – it takes time to master a cup!
This self-paced transition helps avoid relying on a bottle long-term. Wean at your child’s pace without pressure. Consider involving your pediatrician if struggling.
Increasing Bottle Size
As babies grow, their stomach capacity expands and they get more efficient at sucking and swallowing. This means they will drink bigger volumes at each feeding. Watch for cues like:
- Finishing most or all milk offered
- Seeming hungry again shortly after eating
- Nursing longer at each feeding
When you see these signs, try increasing bottle size by half an ounce every few days. Bigger bottles help satisfy growing appetites.
Paced Bottle Feeding
Here is a step-by-step guide to paced bottle feeding:
- Hold baby upright with head elevated in feeding position
- Allow baby to draw nipple into mouth and create seal around nipple
- Keep bottle horizontal to ensure milk fills nipple instead of flooding mouth
- Let baby suck a few times then pause to breathe before resuming
- Tilt bottle down if baby drinks too fast; tip it back up if they slow down
- Burp halfway through and end feeding at first signs of fullness
The key is going slowly and minimizing milk flow to promote a calm, enjoyable feeding time. This helps reduce overeating and spit up.
Helpful Resources
Here are some helpful resources if you need more newborn bottle feeding tips:
- Attend a breastfeeding class at your local hospital
- Schedule an appointment with a lactation consultant
- Join an online parent support group
- Read books about baby care and feeding
- Download an app to track newborn feedings and diapers
Don’t hesitate to ask for help – raising a newborn is tough! Stay flexible, follow baby’s cues, and know that this phase passes quickly.
Conclusion
In summary, most newborns need around 24 to 32 ounces of milk per day, which typically equates to 6 to 8 feedings every 2 to 3 hours. While some babies may do fine with 4 larger bottles, it’s best to follow your newborn’s hunger cues and offer smaller feeds more frequently.
Watch diaper counts and weight gain to ensure adequate intake. Seek input from your pediatrician if you have any concerns. With a thoughtful approach, safe preparation, and proper feeding techniques, bottle feeding can provide the nutrition your newborn needs to thrive.
