Peoria County New Parent Support 2025

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Formula Feeding Your Baby

What to Expect

• At 3 weeks your baby is still eating frequently, typically taking 2-3 ounce bottles 8 or more times a day, or every 2-4 hours.

• Bottle feeding makes it easier to overfeed your baby. Use the appropriate nipple size; at 3 weeks of age a baby will usually take a size 0 nipple (slow flow nipple) or a size 1 nipple.

• Practice paced bottle feeding (see video) if your baby is gulping formula and don’t force baby to finish a bottle if they indicate they are satisfied.

• Overfeeding can result in more frequent spitting up, gassiness, and fussiness.

• After preparing a bottle: o contents may be stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours o use within 2 hours if left at room temp o use within 1 hour of start of feeding, discard the leftover formula (bacteria has been introduced when baby sucks on bottle) o Do not reheat • Never use a microwave to heat formula/breastmilk, as this causes hot spots which may burn the infant’s mouth. Instead, place the bottle in warm water. Test temperature before feeding.

Looking Ahead

• As your baby grows, his or her belly grows too. Your baby will be able to drink larger volumes of formula or expressed breastmilk as they get bigger and the time between feedings will get longer.

• Remember-every baby is different, and each feeding amount might look different.

• Solid foods should be started at about 6 months of age.

• Most babies will double their birth weight by 5 months of age and triple their birth weight by their first birthday.

Average Feeding Volumes

Birth to 2 months 2 to 4 months 4 to 6 months 6 to 12 months

2 to 3 ounces 4 to 5 ounces 4 to 6 ounces 7 to 8 ounces

Scan to watch a paced bottle feeding demonstration

Reference: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/feeding-nutrition/Pages/How-Often-and-How-Much-Should-Your-Baby-Eat.aspx

https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/infantandtoddlernutrition/formula-feeding/infant-formula-preparation-and-storage.html

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