Baby Formula Feeding Calculator
Calculate how much formula your baby needs based on age and weight.
Get daily and per-feeding amounts with a sample schedule.
Formula feeding schedules balance two approaches: demand feeding (feed whenever the baby shows hunger cues) and scheduled feeding (fixed intervals). Most pediatricians recommend demand feeding for newborns and a gradual transition to a loose schedule after 6–8 weeks.
Hunger cue hierarchy:
- Early cues: rooting, sucking on hands, turning head side to side
- Active cues: mouthing, fidgeting, reaching to mouth
- Late cues (crying): crying is a late hunger signal — try to feed before this stage
Daily intake guidelines:
Daily Intake (oz) ≈ Baby Weight (lbs) × 2.5
Per-Feed Amount = Daily Intake ÷ Number of Feeds
Feeding schedule by age:
| Age | Feeds per Day | Per Feed | Daily Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–1 month | 8–12 | 1–3 oz | 16–24 oz |
| 1–2 months | 6–8 | 3–4 oz | 24–32 oz |
| 2–4 months | 5–6 | 4–6 oz | 24–36 oz |
| 4–6 months | 4–5 | 6–8 oz | 28–40 oz |
| 6–12 months | 3–4 | 6–8 oz | 24–32 oz |
Worked example: A 4-month-old baby weighing 15 lbs:
- Daily intake: 15 × 2.5 = 37.5 oz
- Feeds per day: 5
- Per feed: 37.5 ÷ 5 = 7.5 oz per bottle
Signs the baby is getting enough:
- 6+ wet diapers per day after day 5 of life
- Steady weight gain of 4–7 oz per week in the first 3 months
- Content and alert between feedings
Important safety reminders:
- Discard any formula remaining in the bottle after a feeding — bacteria from saliva multiply rapidly
- Refrigerate prepared formula immediately and use within 24 hours
- Never microwave a bottle — hotspots can burn the baby’s mouth; warm in a water bath instead
- Burp the baby midway through and at the end of every feed to reduce gas and spit-up
How we build and check this calculator
This calculator runs entirely in your browser, so the numbers you enter stay on your device. The math behind it is written by hand and tested against worked examples and standard references before the page goes live.
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