Yes, a healthy newborn can drink infant formula from birth when it is prepared, stored, and given with safe feeding habits.
Many parents ask, “can a newborn drink formula?” Is it safe from the first feed or should they wait? Hospitals across the world use infant formula every day when breastfeeding is not possible, so parents can feel calm knowing that properly prepared formula is a safe option from day one for most babies.
Can A Newborn Drink Formula? Safe Basics Parents Should Know
Healthy full term newborns can drink commercial infant formula in the first hours of life when they are not receiving breast milk. The formula should be a standard, iron fortified infant formula made for babies from birth to 12 months, not cow’s milk, plant milk, homemade mixes, or toddler drinks. Medical teams in maternity units rely on these formulas because they are designed to meet a newborn’s basic nutrition needs.
Your baby’s own doctor may recommend formula from the start in some situations, such as low milk supply, maternal illness, or certain medications. Premature or medically fragile babies might need specialised formulas or feeding plans in neonatal units, so parents of these babies should follow the hospital plan rather than broad newborn feeding advice.
| Baby Age | Typical Volume Per Feed* | Usual Feeds Per Day |
|---|---|---|
| First 24 hours | 5–10 ml (about 1–2 teaspoons) | 8–12 small feeds |
| Days 2–3 | 15–30 ml (0.5–1 oz) | 8–12 feeds |
| Days 4–7 | 30–60 ml (1–2 oz) | 6–10 feeds |
| Weeks 2–3 | 60–90 ml (2–3 oz) | 6–8 feeds |
| Week 4 | 90–120 ml (3–4 oz) | 6–8 feeds |
| By end of first month | Up to 120 ml (4 oz) | 6–8 feeds |
| Rule of thumb after first week | About 150–200 ml per kg per day | Spread evenly across 24 hours |
*These ranges are averages; your baby’s doctor should guide any changes.
Formula For Newborns: When A Baby Can Drink It
Formula is often offered in the birth hospital when breastfeeding is not started or when parents choose to bottle feed from the beginning. Staff usually show you how to feed slowly, hold your baby close, and pause often so the feed feels relaxed, not rushed. The same rhythm at home helps protect your baby from overfeeding and gas.
At home, parents can carry on with the same formula given in hospital unless the doctor advises a change. Start with small amounts in the first days while your baby’s stomach grows, then work up to larger feeds over the first month. Watch your baby, not just the bottle: early feeding cues include moving hands to the mouth, rooting, and soft fussing, while turning away or sealing the lips usually means the baby has had enough.
Some parents worry that once they start formula, they can never breastfeed. Many families combine breast milk and formula during the newborn period. If you plan to offer both, your baby’s doctor or a feeding specialist can help you shape a schedule that protects milk supply while keeping your baby well fed.
How Much Formula Should A Newborn Drink?
During the first week, most newborns drink 30 to 60 ml of formula per feed, building up to about 90 to 120 ml per feed by the end of the first month, with a daily upper limit near 900 ml. Paediatric groups such as the American Academy of Pediatrics note that babies should rarely need more than 32 ounces of formula in 24 hours during the first months.
A simple guideline is that a baby usually drinks around 150 to 200 ml of formula per kilogram of body weight each day once feeding is established. A 3.5 kg newborn might take 525 to 700 ml per day, broken into 6 to 8 feeds. Some days will fall slightly above or below this range, yet the overall pattern across several days matters more than a single large or small bottle.
Watch nappies and alertness as much as volumes. By day five, many formula fed newborns have at least six wet nappies and regular soft stools. Steady weight gain along the growth curve is the clearest sign that your baby is getting enough milk.
Signs Your Newborn May Be Drinking Too Much Formula
Overfeeding is common because bottles make it easy for milk to flow, even when a baby is full. Signs of too much formula include frequent spit up, large vomits, tight or swollen belly, and discomfort after feeds. Long stretches of unsettled crying soon after every bottle can also point to a feeding pattern that is a bit too heavy.
To ease this, hold your baby more upright, keep the bottle level so milk drips slowly, and add short pauses every few minutes. You can gently tip the bottle down during pauses so your baby can rest and check hunger cues.
Signs Your Newborn May Not Be Drinking Enough
A baby who takes tiny volumes at most feeds, has fewer than six wet nappies a day after day five, or seems sleepy and hard to wake for feeds may not be getting enough formula. Poor weight gain, sunken soft spot on the head, or dry mouth are red flag signs that need urgent medical help.
If you see these signs, do not wait. Call your baby’s doctor or seek same day care so a clinician can check hydration, weight, and any medical causes.
How To Prepare Newborn Formula Safely
Safe preparation matters just as much as choosing the right type of infant formula. Powdered formula is not sterile, so hands, bottles, and water all need care. Health agencies such as the CDC guidance on formula preparation and storage recommend cleaning surfaces, washing hands with soap and warm water, and using clean bottles and teats for every feed.
Many national health services advise boiling fresh tap water, letting it cool slightly, then mixing with powdered formula while still above 70°C so that harmful bacteria are less likely to survive. The powder should be measured with the scoop from the tin and levelled, not packed. Always follow the instructions on your specific formula tin so the feed has the right balance of water and nutrients.
Step-By-Step Preparation Routine
Start by filling the kettle with fresh cold tap water and boiling it. Leave the water to cool for no longer than half an hour so it stays hot enough. Wash your hands, clean the work surface, and place the sterilised bottle on the counter. Pour the correct amount of hot water into the bottle, add the exact number of level scoops, then cap and shake well. Check the temperature on the inside of your wrist; the feed should feel warm, not hot.
If you live in an area with specific water safety advice, follow local recommendations or bottled water instructions from your baby’s doctor. Do not add extra water to stretch formula, as this can upset salt balance in your baby’s body and lead to serious illness.
Storage And Rewarming Rules
Prepared bottles should not sit at room temperature for long. Health services such as the NHS step-by-step formula guide advise making up one feed at a time whenever you can. If a feed must be prepared ahead, cool it quickly and store it in the back of the fridge for no longer than 24 hours, then warm it by placing the bottle in a jug of hot water.
Never warm formula in a microwave, as this can create hot spots that burn your baby’s mouth. Any formula left in the bottle after a feed should be thrown away within two hours because bacteria from your baby’s mouth enter the milk and multiply quickly.
First Month Formula Safety Checklist
New parents juggle many details in the early weeks, so a simple checklist can help keep formula feeding safe and calm. The list below brings together common safety points that often come up when people ask can a newborn drink formula?
| Safety Area | Safe Habit | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Water | Use boiled, cooled tap water or water approved by your baby’s doctor. | Reduces germs and keeps mineral levels suitable for infants. |
| Measuring formula | Use the scoop from the tin, level each scoop, and follow the tin’s ratio exactly. | Prevents feeds that are too strong or too weak. |
| Bottle hygiene | Clean and sterilise bottles, teats, and rings before each use. | Lowers the risk of stomach and gut infections. |
| Feed timing | Offer feeds based on hunger cues every 2–4 hours. | Helps growth stay steady without overfeeding. |
| Holding your baby | Hold baby semi upright, keep the bottle level, and pause often. | Helps baby pace the feed and swallow air less often. |
| Discouraging bottle propping | Keep the bottle in your hand; never rest it on pillows or toys. | Prevents choking and lets you respond to your baby. |
| Leftover formula | Throw away leftover milk within two hours after a feed. | Stops bacteria from growing in the bottle. |
Common Formula Feeding Problems In Newborns
Even when parents follow every step with care, newborns can still have feeding bumps. Mild spit up, gassiness, or one day of slightly looser stools can all appear while a baby adapts to formula. Many of these small shifts settle with simple changes in pacing, winding, and holding.
Gas, Spit Up, And Reflux
Most newborns pass gas and spit up small amounts of milk, especially when they swallow air during feeds. Gentle winding halfway through and at the end of the bottle, keeping your baby upright for 20 to 30 minutes, and using a slow flow teat can all help. If spit up becomes forceful, coloured with green or blood, or linked with poor weight gain, seek urgent medical care.
Constipation And Tummy Discomfort
Formula fed babies often have firmer stools than breastfed babies, yet stools should still be soft enough to pass without straining. A baby who has hard, pellet like stools, cries with bowel movements, or has blood on the stool surface may be constipated. Your baby’s doctor can check for causes and may suggest small adjustments to feeding volume or, in some cases, a different formula.
Possible Formula Intolerance Or Allergy
Some babies react to proteins in standard cow’s milk based formulas. Signs can include rashes, eczema, blood or mucus in stools, wheezing, or severe vomiting. Babies with these symptoms need prompt medical review. The doctor may suggest a trial of a hydrolysed or amino acid based formula under close supervision.
When To Call Your Baby’s Doctor About Formula Feeding
Parents know their own baby’s usual behaviour best. Sudden changes around feeds often signal that something needs attention. Call your baby’s doctor or emergency services right away if your newborn has trouble breathing, seems floppy or unresponsive, has fewer than two wet nappies in 24 hours, or vomits every feed.
Seek same day medical advice if your baby has fewer than six wet nappies per day after day five, feeds less than five times in 24 hours, or seems hungry after finishing large bottles often. Share details of how much and how often your baby takes formula, plus any other symptoms such as fever, rash, or changes in stool colour.
The question “can a newborn drink formula?” comes down to three pillars: using a suitable infant formula, preparing it with clean methods and safe water, and following your baby’s cues with solid medical backup when something feels off. With those anchors in place, formula feeding can nourish your baby and give you confidence during the newborn period.