Formula feeding your newborn or older baby (2024)

Exclusive formula feeding – either right from the start or after a period of nursing – is a healthy alternative to breastfeeding and a safe way to nourish your baby. Formula has all of the vitamins and nutrients that your baby needs to thrive. Your child's doctor will chart your baby's growth and work with you to make sure they're well-fed and growing as expected.

There are plenty of reasons why parents formula-feed. Among them are having a baby with a poor sucking reflex (common in premature babies), prolonged mother-infant separation, painful nursing, concerns that a baby isn't getting enough milk and gaining weight appropriately, the need to return to work, low milk supply, a health problem that requires medication that's not safe for a nursing infant, and a desire to let other family members help feed the baby.

Know that the right way to feed your baby is whichever way works best for your baby and your family. What your baby really needs is your love and attention – both of which you can give your baby no matter how you feed them.

Formula feeding a newborn

When your baby is first born, you'll most likely need to give them ready-made formula, since it's the most sterile. You can start giving your baby powdered formula once they're 2 months old. Otherwise, the main difference between formula feeding a newborn and an older baby is the amount you'll give and the frequency with which you'll offer the bottle.

Because your newborn's stomach is still tiny, they can only eat small portions at each feeding. Similar to breastfed newborns, for the first few weeks formula-fed newborns will eat eight to 12 times in 24 hours. Eventually, by around 6 months of age, formula-fed babies will take a bottle just four or five times per day.

How much formula to give a newborn

Newborns can often only handle about 1 to 2 ounces of formula every two to three hours for the first few days of life (though you can offer more if your baby is still showing signs of hunger – it's always best to listen to your baby's cues).

By one month, many babies are consuming 4 ounces of formula every four hours. The total amount of formula to give your infant adds up to about 2.5 ounces per pound of body weight each day.

How to bottle-feed a baby

The key to bottle-feeding your baby is holding them in your arms at a 45-degree angle. This helps cut back on the amount of air they swallow, which in turn reduces the amount of uncomfortable gas in their tummy. Make sure the nipple is completely full of formula, not partially filled, to reduce the amount of air your baby swallows. If your baby seems squirmy in the middle of a feed, burp them before continuing.

Paced bottle feeding is one popular bottle-feeding method that puts your baby in control of how much they eat, to help prevent overfeeding. Make sure to choose the right bottle (look for a slow-flow, wide nipple version), take breaks every 20 to 30 seconds, and watch for your baby's fullness cues (turning their head away from the bottle, for example).

Commonly asked formula questions

How to prepare formula

Before you start preparing formula, wash your hands and have a clean work space, clean bottles, and safe water on hand. Tap water is usually fine, unless you have concerns about your local water safety – in which case it's best to use bottled water or boiled tap water.

Follow the instructions on the container of formula and use the included scoop. You'll always add the water first, then the formula. Attach the nipple and shake well. Let the bubbles settle for a few minutes after shaking before feeding it to your baby to help reduce gas.

You can warm refrigerated bottles using a bowl of warm water, a bottle warmer, or running warm water; never use a microwave, which heats milk unevenly and can burn your baby.

Find out more about preparing formula safely.

Signs of a formula allergy

Cow's milk protein allergy is relatively common, affecting 2 to 3 percent of babies under the age of 1 (though many grow out of this allergy by the time they're a year old). Babies can also be allergic to soy, another ingredient used in formula.

The most common signs of a formula allergy include stomach issues such as vomiting and diarrhea, green, mucus-y stools, or blood in the stool. Extreme fussiness and gassiness could also be a sign of an allergy, as well as skin rashes, eczema, and hives.

If you're concerned your baby is allergic to formula, talk to their doctor about whether you should switch to a hypoallergenic, extensively hydrolyzed formula.

Find out more about formula allergies.

Types of formula

Most formulas are made from cow's milk or soybeans (for soy formula). Babies who are allergic to milk or soy proteins, as well as those who are premature or have a low birth weight, may require specialized formulas. To prevent anemia, make sure to get iron-fortified infant formula.

Types of formula include powdered formula and liquid concentrate, which you'll prepare with water, and ready-to-feed formula, which you can feed your baby right out of the bottle it comes in.

To find out more about choosing the best formula for your baby, talk to your baby's doctor.

Keep in mind that cow's milk isn't recommended until after your baby's first birthday. Until then, avoid feeding your baby cow's milk (unless you don't have anything else to give your baby because of a formula shortage; then you can give your baby under a year old cow's milk for about a week). It doesn't have the proper nutrients in the right proportions for a growing infant, plus it can cause digestive troubles.

Also steer clear of homemade formulas. These can lead to serious health problems for babies.

Find out more about types of baby formula.

How to switch formula

If you need to switch formulas for any reason, it's usually perfectly fine to do so as long as the main ingredients (e.g., cow's milk or soy milk) are the same. Just avoid switching from a specialized formula (such as an extensively hydrolyzed formula for babies with milk allergies) to another type of formula (such as soy milk formula) without talking to your child's doctor first.

Your baby may very well drink a new formula without any issues. But since ingredients and flavor can vary slightly from brand to brand, they might initially protest. If that's the case, try introducing the new formula gradually, over several feedings, so your baby can get used to it.

Find out more about switching formula.

How much does formula cost?

Families who exclusively formula-feed their baby can expect to pay between $400 to $800 per month for formula. Cost varies based on the brand (some are significantly pricier than others), as well as whether you're using more expensive ready-to-feed formula.

Keep in mind that your baby will drink formula exclusively for the first four to six months of life. But even after your baby starts eating solid foods, their formula intake won't decrease much until they're about 9 months old.

Find out more about formula and other baby expenses.

When do babies stop drinking formula?

You can stop feeding your baby formula at 12 months of age, at which point they can begin drinking full-fat cow's milk. Most toddlers love milk, but if yours doesn't take to it, you can phase it in slowly by mixing milk with their formula.

Find out more about when and how to stop giving your baby formula.