Formula Feeding for Infants

These instructions are for caregivers of infant patients who are formula fed.

Important information about infant formula feeding:

• Infant formulas meet all your baby's nutritional needs for the first 4 to 6 months of life. Babies do not need water, juice, or cow's milk. There are many formula options to choose from. Your healthcare provider can help you pick which formula is best for your baby.

• Infant formula comes in 3 forms:

  1. Ready-to-feed: This is the most convenient, but most expensive way to buy your formula. It does not require mixing. All you have to do is open and pour it into a bottle or attach a nipple if you are using the kind that comes in a bottle.

  2. Concentrated liquid: Mix this formula with water. Follow the instructions on the can.

  3. Powdered formula: This is the least expensive formula option. Follow the instructions on the can.

• Babies feed on demand. Most formula fed babies will want to eat every 2 to 3 hours. As they grow, they will eat less often.

• Your newborn may only drink 1 to 2 ounces per feed at first. As they grow, they will take more volume. The most a baby usually can drink is their weight in pounds divided by 2. For example, a 12-pound baby should usually not be drinking more than 6 ounces at a time.

• Your new baby should wake overnight to feed. As they grow, they may be able to sleep through the night without eating.

Instructions for preparing and feeding infant formula:

• Wash your hands before preparing formula.

• Use cold tap water to mix with formula. Cold tap water lessens the risk of lead poisoning and may contain fluoride for your baby's teeth.

  • You do not need to use bottled water.

  • You do not need to boil the water before mixing with formula.

• Use a clean container with a top to mix formula, such as a bottle or pitcher. Shake well until lumps are gone. You can also use a blender to mix formula if desired.

• Store prepared or opened formula in the refrigerator until ready to use. Use prepared formula within 24 hours.

• If you warm the formula, check the temperature on your own wrist before giving it to your baby. This will avoid burning baby's mouth.

• Do not use a microwave to warm formula. It causes uneven heating and can burn baby's mouth.

• Do not put your baby to bed with a bottle. It can cause tooth decay.

• Do not feed cereal or other foods until your pediatrician says it is ok (usually at 4 to 6 months).

• Never prop a bottle. It can cause choking and lead to ear infections.

• Your baby should be held with their head higher than their stomach. Tilt the bottle so that the nipple is always filled with formula, so your infant does not swallow a lot of air.

Instructions to help with spitting up:

Most babies spit up a small amount. This can be very messy but usually is not a problem and your baby will outgrow it.

You can reduce this spitting up by:

• Burping your baby after every 1 to 2 ounces.

• Avoiding swings or bouncing activities after feeds.

• Offering smaller, more frequent feedings.

• Keeping the baby upright for 30 minutes after each feed.

Call your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns, or if your baby is:

• Not gaining weight.

• Vomiting most or all their feeds.

• Having very watery stools more than 8 times a day.

• Having fewer than 6 wet diapers per day.

Reviewed July 2025 by Rachel Dragon, RD