Are there any new moms out there that can help me out?

Question

I am 6 months pregnant and am looking into formulas...I have not had a newborn in over 3 years and can't for the life of me remember how much formula newborn babies use on an average daily basis.
Some on this site will probably laugh at me for asking a question like this, but what do MOST newborns drink in a feeding and at what rate do they increase to 8 ounce bottles?

I really appreciate all of the help I can get...I don't know why I am so stressed out about this. Probably because formula is so expensive and I would just like to figure out a budget for this in advanced.

And before anyone comments....I am not going to breastfeed this time, because I tried so hard last time and could not and it was pretty much emotionally scarring for me and I don't want to have to go through that again.

Thanks to all!!!

Answer 1

Newborns start out in the hospital drinking around 1 to 2 0z, by the time they come home they are at around 2 to 3 oz. My kids were weird though. my daughter never went over 4 oz but ate more often and my son never went over 6 oz.

Here is a tip: I pre made all of my formula and made about 24 oz. I got one of those rubber made jugs with the lid that was marked for liq. by the oz. I sometimes pored my 6 bottles for the day and put them in the the fridge and other times I would pore as I went. Good luck!

P.S. I breastfeed my oldest until he was over a year, and at no point during that year was I able to get him to take a bottle. My middle child breastfeed until she was 10 weeks, but she was very fussy, so to get a break from her and not always blame my self or my milk, I switched to full time bottle feeding. My youngest I breastfeed for 4 month. and then felt uncomfortable pumping at work and at the same time went back to work full time. A person who breastfeeds their child is in no way better than a person who chooses to bottle feed from the start or half way down the road, but I know you already knew this and was just offering you support! Have a good day!

Answer 2

Most newborns take 1 - 2 ounces every few hours at first. After a few weeks, add 1/2 ounce or so to her bottles. Eventually (by about 6 or 7 months for both of my boys) they were taking 6 ounce bottles about 4 times a day. (Also keep in mind that at this point, they're eating baby food too. I never did get either of my boys up to 8 oz. bottles. If they took any more than 6 ounces at a time, they'd spit up. So, to make sure they received enough to eat, I just fed them their 6 ounce bottles a little more frequently than I would if they had been able to take 8 ounces at a time.

I also understand (and sympathize with you) about the breast feeding. I tried to breast feed my boys and had no luck. I wasn't making enough milk. To anyone who's never been through this, it truly is emotionally scarring. It's an awful, awful feeling when you can't do something nature and God intended you to do. Good luck!

P.S. If you're interested in my experiences with formula (and have a few minutes to do some searching) someone else on here earlier posted a question about formula. I wrote a nice long reply to her. I would look for it and paste the link, but I hear my 11 month old crying. I tell you...the fun never ends. He was sound asleep two hours ago!! ARGH! Good luck to you.

Answer 3

Everyone has pretty much answered this question.... about 2-4 ounces, and your baby will give signs as to when to start giving more.
I do have some really good advice for you though! Since you're looking for this answer so as to figure out a budget, here's a suggestion. I, too, was frustrated with how expensive formula is now. I talked to a woman that works as maintenence for the apartment complex i used to live in and she told me about a brand of formula that Wal-Mart carries (it is ONLY at Wal-Mart because it is manufactured by them). It is called Parent's Choice and is HALF the price of every other formula i've seen ($12 for the can that you pay $22-$26 for in the other brand names) and trust me, it's the same thing. It was also easier on my daughter's stomache than what i was using, which was Enfamil Lipil with Iron. Since my daughter goes through about a can a week, I am soooo glad to have found a quality product at a cheap price. Oh goodness, i sound like one of those TV commercials. LOL but i hope this helps some.

Answer 4

It has been a little while for me, but I think newborns will drink about 4 ounces every 3 or 4 hours on formula (breastmilk is less time, I think every 2 hours, but formula stays in them longer). From 4, most go to 6 ounces and then 8 - but I am not sure of the ages that happens. Watch your little one and they will tell you when they are ready to have more. Growth spurts will make them more hungry and eat more often as well.

Don't stress about not breastfeeding. You tried in the past and it didn't work - you have to make the decision that works best for you and your baby. I know people have strong breastfeeding opinions, but you do what works for you. I breastfed and used formula. I really liked Nestle Good Start with ARA...it was nice to my little ones tummy! Good luck with your new baby when the big day comes!

Answer 5

All I can say is don't worry too much. The baby will stop when he's full, and let you know when he's hungry again. They usually start at about 2-3 ounces. My daughter was up to 8 ounces by around 5 months old. Mostly, DO NOT beat yourself up about the breastfeeding thing. I tried it with my first... bad experience, the other three i went formula all the way. Can't see any difference if your not comfortable, and no one can make you feel bad about it but you.

Answer 6

first of all you arent planning on buying and storing formula in advance are you? if you are dont do that, some babies can only handle a certain brand of formula or may even need soy, so wait until the baby is born till you buy it. my daughter started out only drinking 2 oz of milk every 2-3 hours. she started drinking 4 oz every 3-4 hours when she was about 2 months old. she is now 10 months old and still only drinks 4 oz every 3-4 hours. she is a small baby though, very small but healthy. occasionally she drinks 8 oz but not very often. the amount that the baby eats all depends on the size. most babies will eat more than my daughter does but almost all babies start out drinking only 2 oz at a time.

Answer 7

Figure 2-4 ounces per feeding, 1 feeding every 3-4 hours for the average baby for the first 2 months
(unless you have a really hungry baby like my 8 pounder)

Answer 8

most newborns eat 2 to 4 ounces at a time and increase depending on the child I would recommend similac advanced. I did a lot of research on which one to choose Also if you go to Sam's club you can buy a big can that is about 3 1/2 times the size of one you can get in the store and the cost is about like buy two. You can save alot of money doing it that way

Answer 9

I just had a baby 3 months ago, and she is just now up to about 4.5 oz ever 3 hours. She started out at about 1-2 then so on. I but Enfamil Lipil with IRON its the best out there I think. I delieved at Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston MA and thats what they gave her there. So it must come recomended. :) its about 13$ for a 12.9 oz can (powder). Good luck, and relax! I know how it is thought I would be online for hours trying to research everything possible. But no matter what you find out, every baby is different :) Hope this helped

Answer 10

Anywhere between 2 to 4 ounces as a new born. Our little ones went to six ounces though, fairly quick (about a month). Our youngest is a month and a half and we are giving him 6 ounces every 4 hours, at night we thicken it up with cereal.