If you’re formula-feeding your baby, you might wonder how many cans of formula per month you need. It’s not as much as you might think. The good news is that it’s relatively easy to calculate how many cans you’ll need in a month.
However, if your baby is very young or has a medical condition that requires a special diet, you may need more. And, of course, every baby is different; your baby may drink more or less than the average, so it’s always best to have a few extra cans of formula on hand just in case.
Newborns generally drink about 2-3 ounces of baby formula per feeding and eat 8-10 times daily. By the time they are six months old, most babies will be drinking about 6-8 ounces per feeding, and they will only eat 3-4 times per day. Of course, some babies may need more or less formula than this based on their individual needs.
How Many Cans of Formula per Month
If you are buying formula cans of 12.5 ounces, you will need 9 to 11 cans of formula each month. Additional cans may be required during a growth spurt and sometimes less for an older baby starting to eat more solid food.
How Many Ounces Do Babies Need Each Feeding?
Newborn
A newborn’s stomach is very tiny, so they must eat little often. For the first few days, a newborn may need to eat every one to three hours and may only take an ounce of breast milk or formula.
As your baby grows, their stomach will grow, and in the next few weeks, they will eat more and have more time between feedings. Generally, they will need between 8 and 12 feedings every 24 hours. This works out to be around 2 to 3 ounces (60-90 ml) of milk per feeding.
1-6 months of age
At 1-month-old infants generally need to be fed every two to three hours, or around eight times a day. This means they will take between 2 and 4 ounces (60-120 ml) of milk per feeding and may sleep longer stretches at night.
At 2-month-old, infants usually need to be fed six to eight times a day, or every three to four hours. They will take between 4 and 6 ounces (120-180 ml) of milk per feeding. As they get older, they will take more ounces per feeding and have longer stretches between bottles.
6-12 months of age
By six months, your baby needs about 24 to 36 ounces of baby formula and will take up to 6 to 8 ounces at each feeding. They will need 3-5 bottles daily and start exploring solid food. You can try baby-led weaning to introduce solid foods or purees while you continue to give them formula as their primary source of nutrition.
Over the next few months, they will gradually eat less formula and more food until they only have 1-2 bottles of formula daily by 12 months old.
12-24 months
When your toddler is 12 months old, you can switch from infant formula to whole cow’s milk or a fortified unsweetened soy beverage. Your toddler should eat three regular meals a day and two snacks at this age. They will need around 16-24 ounces (480-720 ml) of daily milk.
How Many Fluid Ounces Needed Depending on Baby’s Age
- Newborn to 1 month – 8-24 oz total a day 8-12 feedings
- 2 to 6 months – 24-32 oz total a day 4-6 feedings
- 6 to 12 months – 24-32 oz total a day 3-5 feedings
Types and Forms of Baby Formula
Parents have many different choices when it comes to feeding their baby formula. The most common type of formula is cow’s milk-based, which is closest to breast milk in terms of composition. However, soy-based formulas are also available for babies allergic to cow’s milk proteins.
There are also formulas fortified with iron and unique formulas for infants with digestive issues or gas. With so many different types of formula on the market, it can be difficult for parents to choose the right one for their baby. Consulting with a doctor or pediatrician is the best way to determine which formula is best for your child.
Forms Infant Formula Comes in:
Powdered Formula– Powdered formula is the most economical option and can be stored at room temperature. Add 2 oz of water for every scoop of formula and mix well for each bottle.
Concentrated Liquid Formula– The concentrated formula is less expensive than ready-to-use formulas but needs to be diluted with water. It must be refrigerated after opening and used within 48 hours.
Ready-to-Use Liquid Formula– Ready-to-use formulas are the most expensive but are also the most convenient. They do not need to be mixed with water and can be stored at room temperature.
How to Calculate How Much Formula Your Baby Needs
Most major brands have the standard sizing of 12.5 oz cans. Each 12.5 oz can make about 22-4 ounces bottles. So, each standard size can of powdered formula makes 88 ounces.
Newborn- 1 month old = 8-24 ounces/day = 240-720 ounces/month at 88 ounces/can = 4 to 8 cans/month
A newborn that eats an average of 8-24 ounces a day will need 1 to 2 cans a week or 4 to 8 cans for the first month. By two months, the average 12.5 oz can of formula lasts 3 to 4 days, depending on how much you feed your baby.
2 months to 12 months old = 24-32 ounces/day = 720-960 ounces/month at 88 ounces/can = 9 to 11 cans/month
How Many Cans of Formula per Month by Can Size
Most brands have large cans that are 29.4 ounces. The large cans average 52-4 oz bottles or 208 ounces. Some brands have a tub of 35.0 ounces. This tub makes a total of 254 ounces of formula to make 63-4 oz bottles.
12.5 ounce can = 9-11 cans of formula per month
29.4 ounce can = 4-5 cans of formula per month
35.0-ounce tub = 3-4 tubs of formula per month
FAQs about Cans of Formula Needed
1. How much formula does a baby go through in a month?
The amount of formula a baby goes through in a month will depend on a few factors, including the baby’s age, how much they eat, and how often they feed.
On average, newborns will drink about 2-3 ounces per feeding and need to feed every 2-3 hours. This means that they will go through about 2-3 quarts of formula each month.
2. How many days does a can of formula last?
A 12.5 ounce can last an average of 3 to 4 days.
A 29.4 ounce can last an average of 6 to 8 days.
The 35.0-ounce tub lasts an average of 8 to 10 days.
3. How many bottles can you make with a can of formula?
A 12.5-ounce can makes 22- 4 oz bottles.
A 29.4-ounce can makes 52- 4 oz bottles.
The 35.0-ounce tub makes 63- 4 oz bottles.
4. Can baby formula spoil?
Baby formula can spoil if it is not stored correctly or past its expiration date. To avoid this, keep baby formula in a cool, dry place and always check the expiration date before using it.
Baby formula should be prepared fresh for each feeding, and you should discard unused portions sitting out at room temperature. You can store an unopened can of baby formula at room temperature until the “use by” date on the can, but once it is opened, you should use it within one month.
Baby formula that has been opened and refrigerated should be used within two days. If you are unsure whether the baby formula has gone bad, smell it – if the formula smells sour or off, it has spoiled and should be discarded. When in doubt, always err on the side of safety and throw out any baby formula you are unsure about.
5. How long will the prepared formula last?
The prepared formula can last anywhere from 24-48 hours in the fridge. The FDA regulates that commercially prepared liquid infant formulas be shelf-stable for 30 days, unopened. Once you open a container of prepared baby formula, you have 48 hours to use it or throw it away.
Whether you’re using ready-to-feed, concentrated, or powder formula, you’ll need to store it properly to preserve its freshness and prevent spoilage.
If you’ve mixed up more than your baby needs for one feeding, you can store the leftover formula in the fridge for up to 48 hours. Just be sure to write the date and time on the container so you know when it needs to be used. After 48 hours, you should throw any unused portion of mixed baby formula away.
6. How do I know if my baby is getting enough to eat?
If you are not breastfeeding and only giving your baby formulas, it can be hard to tell if they are getting enough to eat. With breastfeeding, your baby usually gets breast milk on demand and will stop when they are full, making it easier to ensure they are getting enough.
However, there are some ways to tell your baby gets enough to eat when they are formula-fed. Your baby’s growth is one way to tell if they are getting enough to eat. Your pediatrician will let your know if your baby is in a healthy growth percentile during their check-ups.
Your baby should also have four to six wet diapers daily and regular bowel movements. If you are still concerned about whether your baby is getting enough to eat, consult your pediatrician or medical professional for advice.
Conclusion
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to how many cans of baby formula you’ll need in a month. The amount will vary depending on your baby’s age, baby’s weight, and appetite. However, as a general rule of thumb, you can expect to use about 24 to 32 fluid ounces daily.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the average baby drinks about 4-6 ounces of formula per feeding and needs about 6-8 feedings in a day. This means a baby will consume between 24 and 32 fluid ounces of formula daily. So, how many cans of formula per month will you need?
Many cans of formula typically come in a standard size of 12.5 ounces. This makes about 88 ounces of prepared formula. You must purchase at least nine cans of formula for an entire month’s supply.
However, it is always best to plan ahead and stay stocked with a few extra cans. You always want to have a bit of extra formula for your baby, just in case your baby goes through a growth spurt or has a particularly hungry week. With some planning and preparation, you can rest assured that you’ll have everything you need to keep your little one happy and healthy.
