How to use
- Enter your baby's weight in kilograms or pounds.
- Choose the age; the feeds-per-day slider starts at a typical value that you can change.
- Pick a guideline. The NHS gives a range; the AAP gives one figure with a daily maximum.
- Read the daily total and the amount per feed, in ml or oz.
Options explained
- NHS (UK)
- About 150–200 ml per kg of body weight a day, from the end of the first week until 6 months.
- AAP (US)
- About 2½ fl oz (75 ml) per pound of body weight a day, and no more than an average of about 32 oz (950 ml) in 24 hours.
- Feeds per day
- Starts at about 8 a day in the first month, with longer gaps as babies grow, about 5 a day from 4 months. Amount per feed = daily total ÷ number of feeds.
Which guideline to use
| Guideline | Rule | Example: 11 lb (5 kg) baby |
|---|---|---|
| NHS (UK) | 150–200 ml per kg a day | 750–1000 ml a day |
| AAP (US) | 2½ oz per lb a day, up to about 32 oz | about 27.5 oz (815 ml) a day |
They are close: the NHS gives a range and the AAP a middle value with a cap. For heavier babies the top of the NHS range can pass the AAP’s 32 oz limit, and the calculator tells you when that happens.
Signs your baby is getting enough
- Hunger cues: hands to mouth, turning to look for the bottle, lip smacking. Crying is a late sign.
- Fullness cues: letting go of the teat, turning away, relaxed hands.
- After the first few days, 6 or more wet nappies a day and steady weight gain along the growth curve.
Do not push your baby to finish the bottle. Make up formula exactly as the tin says, water first, then powder, and never make it stronger or weaker. To check height and weight against growth standards, use the child growth percentile calculator.
Frequently asked questions
My baby drinks less or more than this. Is that a problem?
Not usually. Babies differ, and the same baby's appetite changes with illness, teething and growth spurts. Use the result as a guide and follow your baby's hunger and fullness cues; plenty of wet nappies and steady weight gain show they are getting enough.
How much does a newborn drink in the first week?
Small amounts that increase day by day. The AAP suggests no more than about 1–2 oz (30–60 ml) per feed in the first week. The NHS 150–200 ml per kg applies from the end of the first week.
What about after 6 months?
Solid foods start around 6 months, so formula is no longer worked out from weight. The AAP gives about 6–8 oz (180–240 ml) per feed, 4 or 5 times a day, at 6 months, and milk drops as solids increase.
Does this work for breastfed babies?
Not directly. You cannot see how much a breastfed baby drinks, so feed on demand; these figures are for formula.
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