A 10 lb baby aged 2–4 months comes out at about 25 fl oz (739 ml) a day: 6 feeds of about 4.2 fl oz, 12.5 scoops a day and 9 cans a month.
How the baby formula calculator works
BabyFormulaCalc uses the common paediatric rule of thumb that a formula-fed baby drinks about 2.5 fluid ounces per pound of body weight a day (about 150 ml per kg), up to a maximum of about 32 fl oz. Breastfed babies drinking from a bottle take a fairly steady 25 fl oz a day from about one to six months, so breast milk is not scaled up with weight after the first month. The daily amount is split over a typical number of feeds for the baby’s age, which you can change. For formula it also shows how many level scoops go in each bottle, at one scoop per 2 fl oz of water (most US powders) or per 30 ml (many UK and European powders), and how many cans you will use in a week and a month.
Baby formula chart by weight
| Baby’s weight | Formula per day | Millilitres per day |
|---|---|---|
| 6 lb (2.7 kg) | 15 fl oz | 444 ml |
| 7 lb (3.2 kg) | 17.5 fl oz | 518 ml |
| 8 lb (3.6 kg) | 20 fl oz | 591 ml |
| 9 lb (4.1 kg) | 22.5 fl oz | 665 ml |
| 10 lb (4.5 kg) | 25 fl oz | 739 ml |
| 11 lb (5 kg) | 27.5 fl oz | 813 ml |
| 12 lb (5.4 kg) | 30 fl oz | 887 ml |
| 13 lb (5.9 kg) | 32 fl oz | 946 ml |
| 14 lb (6.4 kg) | 32 fl oz | 946 ml |
| 16 lb (7.3 kg) | 32 fl oz | 946 ml |
| 18 lb (8.2 kg) | 32 fl oz | 946 ml |
Typical feeds per day by age
| Age | Feeds per day | Per feed at 25 fl oz a day |
|---|---|---|
| 0–1 month | 8 | 3.1 fl oz |
| 1–2 months | 7 | 3.6 fl oz |
| 2–4 months | 6 | 4.2 fl oz |
| 4–6 months | 5 | 5 fl oz |
| 6–12 months | 4 | 6.3 fl oz |
These are averages, not targets. Babies vary from day to day and go through growth spurts. Feed on cue, never force a baby to finish a bottle, and talk to your paediatrician or health visitor about weight gain, prematurity, reflux or special formulas. This is not medical advice.
Frequently asked questions
How much formula should my baby drink?
About 2.5 fl oz per pound of body weight a day (150 ml per kg), up to about 32 fl oz, split across feeds.
How many ounces per feed?
Divide the daily amount by the number of feeds: often 2–3 fl oz for newborns, 4–5 fl oz at 2–4 months and 6–8 fl oz at 6 months.
What if my baby wants more than this?
Babies vary and have growth spurts. Feed on cue, and ask your paediatrician if intake is regularly far above or below.
Is BabyFormulaCalc free?
Yes, with no sign-up or ads, and your numbers stay in your browser.
Is this medical advice?
No. It is a general guide. Feed on cue and ask your paediatrician or health visitor about your baby’s feeding.