How Much Formula Should My 5 Month Old Be Getting?

Hi J.,

I think the best advice you can get on this would be from your pediatrician.

Take care

My son's doctor told me when he was 6 months old that he should be drinking somewhere between 24-32 ounces a day of formula in addition to the baby food. As long as she is gaining ok and she doesn't still seem hungry I am sure you are doing just fine. I know with so many people over feeding their babies these days, it's hard to know what is recommended.

my baby went from 36 oz of formula to 20 oz at 5 months with the introduction to solids. This sounds normal to me. It seemed to me she was eating fewer calories at this transition to solids, but in time she picked up on her solid quantity. But yes, 20 oz is normal with the addition of solids.

I also have a 5 month old daughter. At her 4month check-up, my pediatrician advised me that she should be having 32 oz of formula, and that was at her 4 months.

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at 5 mons the recommended ammount of of formula is between 20 and 32 ozs. So 24 sounds like a good daily amount.

What a blessing to have your baby sleep 12 hours without a peep! You must be in heaven... as for the feeding, it sounds normal to me. My son was 15 pounds at 6 months and ate much less than his bigger twin. If your baby was hungry you would know, Your baby would wake up through the night to eat.

J., she sounds as if she is doing fine. If she is sleeping through the night then she is not hungry. My doctor told me to feed on demand, so if she is hungry she will let you know. I did daycare 9 years and one parent was told to give a certain amount every 4 hours, the baby cried constantly and they thought she had colic. When I started watching her I increased the formula when she cried and she was happy, no more tears. Each baby is different but they will let you know if they are hungry. Most doctors will say no solids before 6 months but some parents start sooner because their baby requires more nutrition. Just don't ever water down the formula because they need all the vitamins in the recommended dose and less could cause weight and brain related problems. Good luck, you are doing a great job!

Hi J., all babies are different, 13 pounds at 4 months does not sound like a lot, what does her ped say. I know one of my sons weighted 9 pounds and 6 ounces that's just a 4 pund difference. But if her ped doesn't seem to see a problem. I have a 7 week old baby in my daycare care and she eats 4 oz and a time, every 2 1/2 3 hours. I would just check with her ped. J.

Hi J.:
As a rule, 5 month olds drink aprox. 5 to 6 ounces every 3 to 4 hours.If she is sleeping,I'd allow her to rest. It won't be long,before she begins waking a little more often. she won't stay satisfied as long. I know, that for her young age,stage one baby cerial(in a bowl) not in the bottle and some apple sauce is great.Be careful,She may have some tummy aches eventually with the beans,Those aren't generally introduced till a little latter.Sounds like your doin great to me.Baby sounds content.She should begin putting on pounds,as you've added food to her diet. I don't know what time you put her down,but if you wanted to, I suppose,if you give her an early bottle, you could always add another on if she stirs around a little after a few hours.I wish you and your darlin daughters the best.

At 5 months I started making 6 oz bottles every 3 hours or so. My DD would sometimes finish the whole thing...and sometimes only drink 3-4 oz. I think anywhere from 24-36 is totally normal. Depending on the day my baby will eat 24-32. Once she started solids, she drank a little less.

Hi J..
My baby boy just turned 5 months on Saturday. I to worry a lot about the amount of food he is taking in. Reading your post was helpful to me. My little guy takes in about the same as your baby. Weighs about the same too, maybe a little less. He was 12lbs. at 4th month check up. ( only 4.10 when born).
I keep telling myself that babies eat what they need. And as long as baby is growing consistantly and maintaining their growth curve, all is well. :)
Take care. Heidi

She does seem smaall, but that just may be her genetics! Is she meeting all her developmental markers? I'd talk to your Dr as well as a ped nutritionist. Good luck.