how much formula?

[KatyJ26]

How much formula does a 7 week old baby need? How many ounces and how many bottles in 24 hours? (baby is approx 10lb 7oz)

Dont know from experience as was breast feeding at this stage, but our formula pot has guidelines on the side - at the moment we make up what they suggest, if he wants it all he has it all, if he leaves some fine. At 7weeks feeding every 3hrs through the day is normal, and when he wakes at night (although not if its before 3hrs have passed, obviously!).

Katy did you know that you can talk to a BFC about how much too give, how often and how to make up bottles? Try a helpline like the NCT one. Have you got the number?

JJJ - breastfeeding counsellors will certainly help with questions about formula but not really at that level of individualised detail. She needs an HV for that.

Each baby is different, which makes it entertaining! The formula box will give you guidelines. I know a rough rule of thumb is that your baby should eat about 2.5 x their weight in pounds, so for your baby that's roughly 26oz. However at 4mo my DD was barely eating that!

I'd make up a few 5oz bottles and see what happens. At that DD was having around 4-5oz bottles every 3 hours during the day. If you're feeding on demand then offer the 5oz and see if your baby drains it, and wait until they ask for food again, that's all you can do. My HV recommended that if they are draining more than 2 bottles regularly then the amount needs upping.

But remember each baby is different and the guidelines are just guidelines Just offer a bottle and see what your LO wants!

Ultimately you could just use the guidelines that breastfeeding mums do - if you are getting wet nappies, dirty nappies and are growing nicely then you are doing it right

One problem with ff is that you can really see how much your baby is eating and its easy to get stressed that they aren't 'eating enough'. But your baby will eat what they want to. If they drain a bottle, offer more. But even if they aren't eating anywhere near the guidelines, as long as they are gaining weight and, as Niggle says, as long as their nappies are still wet and dirty then they are taking as much food as they need.

Sorry tiktok.

Don't worry, JJJ - we do support all mothers and can help with general information abut using formula, inc how to use formula with the least impact on bf, normal infant behaviour, where to get good help....but working out ounces and bottles for an individual baby is not what we are trained to do.

Katy, are you coming back? :)