Parenting is challenging, especially if you are about to transform from breastfeeding to bottle feed. There are many things you need to consider, such as the type of formula, how many cans of formula, and so on.
Baby formula is the best that can replace breastfeeding, and if you are already bottle feeding, it means that you need to stock those formulas.
Baby formula contains healthy nutrients, but you should not overdose on your baby. In this article, I will explain how many cans of formula you need per month and many other aspects regarding this topic. So, better read this article carefully.
Main Points
- Bottle feeding your baby might be a challenge since there are many things you need to consider.
- How many cans of formula you need per month depends on many factors, and there is no exact number that I can tell you.
- Newborns need to be fed more frequently with less amount of formula, while as your baby gets older, the quantity is what you need to consider.
- A baby that is 4 to 6 months older needs to be fed four to six times a day about 4 to 6 ounces.
- Factors that determine how many cans of formula you need per month are age, types of formula, and quantity of feeding.
How Many Cans Of Formula Per Month?
This is a challenging question to answer since how many cans of formula per month you need depends on many factors. You need to consider the type of formula, the quantity of the formula, your baby’s age, and so on.
How many times you feed the baby also has a vital role in this case. So, there is not an exact and straightforward answer to this query.
It also depends on whether you are breastfeeding your baby; if so, then you will need fewer cans of formula per month. Many moms breastfeed their babies and additionally bottle feed, so you will need to consider this fact as well.
If your baby is between 0 and 2 months old, you will need to feed your baby more frequently. A baby between 0 and 2 months needs to be fed every 3 to 4 hours indicating that you will need 14 cans of formula. So, if your formula can is 12.5 pounds, this means that it will last 3 to 4 days maximum.
As your baby grows older, you will need to bottle feed your baby every 4 to 5 hours, but you should increase the amount of formula up to 4 to 6 ounces in every feed.
Once your baby is between 4 and 6 months, then it will depend on your baby’s requirements. Your baby will need up to 6 to 8 ounces of formula per fed, meaning you will feed the baby less frequently but with increased quantity.
Also Read: How Long Does It Take For Formula To Change?
Factors You Need To Consider
Many factors play a vital role in how many formula cans you need per month. I will mention all of the factors and explain them in detail, so you can better understand the topic and know how many you will need to keep your baby well-fed.
Age
Age is one of the biggest factors that have a significant role in how many cans you will need. Requirements of your babies change as they get older, and you will need to change the feeding schedule as well.
Babies of different ages have some distinct feeding requirements since when they are younger, they need to be fed more frequently with less amount, and vice versa when they get older. Newborns require to be fed every three to four hours about 2 ounces.
Once babies get one month old, then you need to increase the amount up to 3 or 4 ounces every 3 to 4 hours. If your baby is 2 to 4 months old, then it is better to feed your baby five to eight times a day with 3 to 6 ounces of formula.
Babies who are 4 to 6 months need to be fed 4 to 6 ounces four to six times a day. As the baby gets older, the feeding schedule changes, and you need to feed your baby less frequently with higher amounts
Type Of Formula
One of the most challenging things is to find the best and the right formula for your baby that will provide the best results and your baby will like it. There are many formulas on the market, and deciding on one is not easy.
Baby formulas are categorized due to the protein they use, and most of the formulas use cow’s milk protein which is one of the most common, and most babies do well with it.
Yet, for babies who are struggling and do not like cow’s milk protein, there are many other options available such as soymilk and hydrolyzed protein formulas.
If your baby is too sensitive, then you should go for the formula which has hydrolyzed proteins. Accordingly, formulas come in three different ways ready to use, liquid and powdered, but the ones commonly used are powdered formulas.
Another thing to consider is the sizes of the formulas. Some come in bigger cans, and some in smaller ones. So, this also impacts how many cans of formulas you will need per month.
Quantity Of Feeding
How many times you feed your baby will also determine how many cans of formula you need per month. If you have a newborn, you will need to feed more frequently with fewer ounces, and if your baby is some months older, then you feed less frequently but with an increased amount.
Worth mentioning is that if you are breastfeeding and additionally bottle feeding this means that you will need fewer cans of formula for your baby.
How To Prepare Formula?
First and foremost, before preparing the formula, ensure that the baby bottles are sterilized, and you have washed your hands to keep your baby safe and secure from bacteria.
Never use water straight from the tap; boil the water and wait for it to cool. This is the best way to prepare the formula.
Read the instructions written in the can carefully, and then mix the powder with water. Ensure there aren’t any lumps and do not forget to check the temperature of the mix previously.
The Lasting Time Of a Prepared Formula
Once you prepare the formula, you have to know it won’t last for too long. A prepared formula in a room temperature will last only for 1 to 2 hours, which is a pretty short period.
Knowing this fact, avoid preparing formulas previously and only mix the powder with water when your baby is hungry; otherwise, you will need more cans of formula per month.
Also Read: Baby Fake Cough
Final Words
If you are having difficulties figuring out how many cans of formula per month you need then this article will help you a lot in solving this issue. The cans of formula you will need per month depend on many factors, and I can’t tell you an exact number.
It depends on the age of your baby, can’s size, type of formula, feeding frequency, and so on. If you are breastfeeding and bottle feeding at the same time; most probably you will need fewer cans than those moms who only bottle feed.
However, many things to consider regarding this topic. Whereas I am sure that this article helped you a lot and that you found the answers to your queries.
Have a nice day and take care!
Hi! I am Kimberly, living in Huntington, NY. I’ve raised 4 beautiful children, and i started this blog to help new and upcoming mothers with parenting.