Baby Formula Calculator
Estimate how much infant formula your baby may need each day and at each feed, based on weight (about 150 ml per kg per day), age and the number of feeds. Results are in ml and ounces and capped at 32 oz a day. For information only.
0.5 = about 2 weeks
How to use the Baby Formula Calculator
- Choose units and enter your baby's current weight.
- Enter the age in months (0.5 for about two weeks).
- Pick the number of feeds a day or keep the typical amount for the age.
- Read the daily and per-feed amounts in ml and oz.
- Use it as a guide only and follow your baby's hunger cues and your pediatrician.
How the formula amount is estimated
- Daily amount = 150 ml × baby's weight in kg (maximum 946 ml / 32 oz)
- Per feed = daily amount ÷ number of feeds a day
- AAP rule of thumb = 2.5 oz × weight in lb per day
Example: a 6 kg baby needs about 150 × 6 = 900 ml (30.4 oz) a day. With 6 feeds that is 150 ml (5.1 oz) per feed, roughly every 4 hours.
Typical feeding pattern by age
| Age | Feeds per day | Typical amount per feed |
|---|---|---|
| First week | 8–12 | 0.5–2 oz (15–60 ml), increasing |
| 2 weeks to 1 month | 7–8 | 2–4 oz (60–120 ml) |
| 1–2 months | 6–8 | 3–5 oz (90–150 ml) |
| 2–4 months | 5–6 | 4–6 oz (120–180 ml) |
| 4–6 months | 4–6 | 5–8 oz (150–240 ml) |
| 6–12 months | 3–5 (plus solids) | 6–8 oz (180–240 ml) |
Ranges are general and vary between babies. Always prepare formula exactly as the label says, and never dilute or concentrate it.
Frequently asked questions
How much formula does a baby need per day?
A common guide for healthy full-term babies is about 150 ml of formula per kilogram of body weight per day (roughly 2.3 oz per pound). The American Academy of Pediatrics gives a similar rule of about 2.5 oz per pound per day. A 5 kg (11 lb) baby would take around 750 ml (25 oz) a day.
What is the most formula a baby should have in a day?
Most babies should not need more than about 32 oz (946 ml) of formula in 24 hours. If your baby seems hungry for more, talk to your pediatrician.
How much formula per feed?
Divide the daily amount by the number of feeds. Newborns often feed 8 or more times a day, taking small amounts; by 2 months many take about 4–5 oz (120–150 ml) per feed every 3–4 hours, and by 4–6 months 6–8 oz (180–240 ml) 4–5 times a day.
How much do newborns drink in the first days?
Very little at first: often about 0.5–2 oz (15–60 ml) per feed in the first days, increasing to around 2–3 oz (60–90 ml) per feed by the end of the first couple of weeks. Feed on demand.
How do I know my baby is getting enough?
Signs include steady weight gain, around 6 or more wet diapers a day after the first week, and a baby who seems content after feeds. Your pediatrician tracks growth on weight charts at check-ups.
Does this apply to breast milk?
Expressed breast milk is often given in similar volumes per feed, but breastfed babies regulate their intake differently and amounts per feed tend to stay steadier after the first month. Ask a lactation consultant or pediatrician for guidance.