Determining the right amount of formula to give your baby can be confusing, especially when transitioning from breastfeeding or mixing breast and bottle feeding. While every baby is different, there are some general guidelines on when it’s appropriate to give a 5 oz bottle of formula.
How much formula does my newborn need?
In the first few days after birth, your newborn’s stomach is very small, only able to hold about 1-2 oz per feeding. They’ll need to eat frequently, about 8-12 times in a 24 hour period. Here are some general guidelines on formula amounts by age:
| Age | Amount per feeding |
|---|---|
| 0-1 month | 2-3 oz |
| 1-3 months | 3-5 oz |
| 3-5 months | 4-6 oz |
| 5-7 months | 5-7 oz |
As you can see, most newborns under 1 month will only need 2-3 oz per feeding. Offering more than the stomach can hold will lead to spit up and waste.
When can I move up to 5 oz per feeding?
Most babies will reach a point between 3-5 months when their stomach capacity and nutritional needs increase enough to handle 5 oz per feeding. Here are some signs your baby may be ready for 5 oz bottles:
- Finishing 4-6 oz bottles consistently at each feeding
- Seeming hungry, unsatisfied, or rooting/sucking after finishing smaller bottles
- Doubling birth weight, typically between 4-6 months
- Transitioning from eating every 2-3 hours to every 3-4 hours
While every baby is different, following your pediatrician’s guidance and paying attention to hunger cues are the best ways to determine when your baby needs more milk. Most healthy, full term babies will be developmentally ready for 5-6 oz feedings by 3 months old.
Tips for moving up to 5 oz
Here are a few tips to smoothly transition your baby when the time is right:
- Increase bottle amounts gradually, by 0.5-1 oz at a time
- Try offering bigger bottles when your baby seems hungrier – like during growth spurts
- Aim for finishing most bottles without leaving much excess
- Offer more frequent small feedings again if he struggles with larger volumes
- Watch for signs of overfeeding like spitting up, gas, fussiness
Being patient and responsive to your baby’s cues are key. If he seems to struggle with larger feedings, go back to what he tolerated and try again in a few days. Contact your pediatrician if you have any concerns.
Is my baby getting enough formula?
To ensure your baby is well-fed, look for these signs after full 5 oz bottles:
- Seems content and full, not crying or rooting for more
- Has 6-8 wet diapers per day after the first week
- Has 3-4 yellow, seedy stools per day
- Is gaining weight appropriately according to doctor’s recommendations
Consult your pediatrician if you are concerned your baby is not getting enough formula. They can check for signs of dehydration and monitor growth trajectory.
When to offer more than 5 oz
While many babies will max out around 6-8 oz per feeding, some bigger or more active babies may need even larger bottles later on. Signs your baby may need more than 5 oz include:
- Draining 5 oz bottles quickly and seeming hungry again soon after
- Not lasting 3-4 hours between feedings consistently
- Falling off growth curves or not gaining enough weight
- Reaching longer sleep stretches at night (needing more calories during the day)
If your baby is showing any of these signs and your pediatrician approves, you can try increasing bottle size gradually to 6, 7, or even 8 oz per feeding. Follow hunger cues and watch for signs of overfeeding. Most babies don’t need more than 32 oz total per day.
When to give less than 5 oz
While some babies will thrive on 5 oz feedings, others may need less. Reasons to decrease formula volume include:
- Consistently spitting up after feeding
- Excessive gas, colic, or irritability
- Difficulty finishing bottles
- Slow weight gain or failure to thrive
- Diarrhea
If your baby is showing signs of distress with 5 oz bottles, try going back down to 4 oz or even 3 oz for a period. Smaller, more frequent feeds may be easier for some babies to digest. Have your pediatrician evaluate whether there are any underlying issues.
Formula amount by baby age
To recap, here are the typical formula feeding amounts babies need by age:
| Age | Total per day | Per feeding |
|---|---|---|
| 0-1 month | 16-24 oz | 2-3 oz |
| 1-3 months | 24-32 oz | 3-5 oz |
| 3-6 months | 24-36 oz | 4-6 oz |
| 6-12 months | 24-36 oz | 5-7 oz |
Keep in mind that every baby is different. Pay attention to hunger cues, weight gain patterns, and doctor’s recommendations rather than rigidly sticking to the above amounts if they don’t seem to align with your baby’s needs.
Increasing formula safely
When increasing formula volume, keep these safety tips in mind:
- Mix powder or concentrate accurately to ensure proper nutrition
- Avoid overdiluting ready-to-feed formula to stretch it out
- Stick to store-bought formula unless prescribed specialty by doctor
- Watch for signs of overfeeding like spit up or wet burps
- Burp halfway through bottle and pace feedings for breathing breaks
- Hold baby semi-upright during and 20+ minutes after feeding
- Don’t prop bottle or let baby self-feed until older and able to handle flow
Following safe preparation, feeding, and storage practices will ensure your baby gets the nutrition they need from larger bottle volumes while minimizing risks like upset tummy, gas, or spit up. Be patient and attentive during the transition.
Common concerns with 5 oz feedings
Some common concerns parents have when moving up to 5 oz bottles include:
- Overfeeding/spit up – Try pacing feeds, burping halfway, holding baby upright 20+ minutes after. Decrease amount if spit up persists.
- Not finishing bottles – Baby may not be ready yet for full 5 oz. Try 4-4.5 oz and increase gradually.
- Wanting to eat constantly – Growth spurts can increase appetite for a few days. Offer an additional bottle if doctor approves.
- Difficulty handling larger volume – Slow nipple flow, pace feed, offer frequent burps. May need to decrease amount temporarily.
- Distracted while eating – Minimize stimulation, swaddle during feeds, maintain eye contact.
If challenges persist even after troubleshooting, consult your pediatrician to rule out reflux, allergies, or other issues impacting appetite and feeding tolerance.
Conclusion
The appropriate formula feeding amount depends on your individual baby’s age, weight, appetite, and health. While many babies will take 5 oz around 3-5 months, others may need more or less. Increase bottle size gradually, watch for signs of readiness, and monitor wet diapers, dirty diapers, weight gain, and hunger cues to ensure adequate nutrition. With patience and attentiveness, you’ll find the right bottle volumes to keep your baby healthy, full and content!
