Infant milk, how much and what type of bottle at what age?

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding of infants up to 6 months. But, when one cannot, or one does not want to breastfeed, it is possible to turn to infant milks, also called “infant formulas”.

These suit the specific needs of newborns up to 4-6 months. They obey very strict regulations, and their content of essential fatty acids, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals is suitable for babies. Their formulation is therefore studied to be as close as possible to that of breast milk.

From 4-6 months to 10 months, the nutritional needs of a toddler change, with the start of the food diversification.2nd age milk, also called « follow-on milk », takes over from 1st age milk when at least one of the meals is diversified. Between 10 and 12 months, it is the growth milk that will in turn be given to children up to 3 years old, in addition to a varied diet.

How do I know how much milk to give my newborn baby?

Over the months, the amount of infant milk in each bottle increases, while their number decreases. A landmark : up to 3 years, your child will need at least 500 ml of milk per day to cover its nutritional needs in addition to a balanced diet.

As an indication, here are the quantities of infant milk recommended for children, age by age and from birth. Of course, these should be adjusted based on your pediatrician’s recommendations and your little one’s appetite.

How much should a 1 month old baby drink?

From birth until the baby’s first month, it is recommended to give her up to 10 bottles of 50 to 60 ml of 1st age milk.

How many ml does a 2 month old baby drink?

From the second baby, he should demand on average about 6 bottles of 90 ml, that is to say around 540 ml.

How much for a 3 month old baby?

In the third month of baby, you can offer bottles more distant during the day but also more substantial. On average, a three month old infant will consume 5 to 6 bottles of 120 ml per day.

How many bottles per day from 4 months?

After his third month, baby will ask for fewer and fewer bottles, but more and more substantial! Gradually, you will be able to wedge your infant’s meals on yours if it suits him. From 3 to 4 months, count 5 bottles of 150 ml. Then 4 bottles of 180 ml from 4 to 5 months, 4 bottles of 240 ml from 5 to 6 months, 3 bottles of 210 ml from 6 months to 10 months, even a year.

From 6 months, you can switch to follow-on milk if food diversification is well installed. From 10-12 months to 3 years old, your baby needs at least 500 ml of growth milk per day, always in parallel with a diversified diet.

Powder or liquid: which infant milk for my infant?

Infant formulas come in two forms. In powder : the preparation will be reconstituted in the bottle thanks to the addition of weakly mineralized water. Each pod available in the infant milk box allows you to measure the right amount for 30 ml of liquid. For a 90 ml bottle, we will therefore count: 3 level measures of powdered milk X 90 ml of water.

Infant milk is also present in its liquid form, in containers averaging 25 cl to 1 liter. Its main advantage is thatit is ready to use and therefore very practical for travel! Please note, once opened, liquid infant milk can only be kept for a maximum of 48 hours in the refrigerator.

What water for a newborn?

If you are using powdered milk, you need to add water to baby’s bottle. Take care to choose mineral water with a low mineral content so as not to overdose the milk and cause constipation in the baby.

If you preferred infant milk in liquid form, it is not necessary to give the baby additional water before 4 or 6 months. From 6 months on average, it is recommended to give a liter of water per day to your infant.

How to calculate the dose of milk to give to the baby?

Another way to make sure baby’s needs are being listened to, rather than following month-to-month recommendations, you can calculate how much milk your newborn baby needs based on their weight. For every pound, baby needs about 150 ml of food per day.

If your baby weighs for example 3 kilos and 600 grams, count that he needs about 540 ml per day, or 9 bottles of 60 ml.

How do you know when to increase the doses of the bottles?

If you notice that baby is still cranky after meals, or is finishing his bottle very quickly and completely, it may mean that he needs a little more than average. In any case, discuss this with your pediatrician before modifying the amounts of food given to the baby.

Which bottle to choose to give infant milk?

All plastic baby bottles are guaranteed without bisphenol A. Unbreakable and easy to handle, these models adapt to the quantity of infant milk required for each age group. The most common formats: 30-50ml for the first days of life, water or medication, 90-150ml, 240ml and 330-350ml for the older ones.

If you prefer glass bottles, be sure to substitute plastic for them as soon as your baby is able to pick up his bottle on his own. This material, which is heavier, is difficult to handle and presents a risk of breakage. But there are also other criteria to take into account when choosing a bottle:

• The size of the pacifier perforation : in the first weeks of the infant, or to initiate weaning from breastfeeding, it is preferable to opt for a microperforated teat that mimics the flow of breast milk.
• The shape of the pacifier : the physiological teat, or flat, regulates the entry of air, and therefore the occurrence of reflux and hiccups. The tip maintains permanent contact between the tongue and the palate during feeding. There are also teats equipped with anti-colic valves.
• The flow rate adjustment : the teats are generally equipped with a 3-speed milk flow adjustment. This allows you to adapt to each age and your baby’s sucking abilities.