Enter your baby's weight and age in weeks. The calculator estimates how many millilitres of formula a day — and roughly how much per bottle — using the guideline many health services give for young formula-fed babies: about 150 ml per kilogram of body weight per day, with some babies taking a little more.
General information from online sources, not written by a doctor and not a substitute for individual medical advice. Recommendations may differ by country; ask your care team about your baby.
How the estimate works
For the first months, formula-fed babies usually need around 150 ml per kg per day; the calculator shows a range of 150–180 ml/kg and never more than about 1 litre a day. The amount per feed is the daily total divided by a typical number of feeds for the age:
| Age | Typical feeds in 24 h |
|---|---|
| 0–4 weeks | about 8 |
| 1–2 months | about 7 |
| 2–4 months | about 6 |
| 4–6 months | about 5 |
Follow your baby, not the number
Babies are good at regulating how much they need. Feed on cue: watch for hunger cues and for fullness signs — turning away, slowing down, relaxing the hands. Steady weight gain and plenty of wet diapers are the best signs your baby is getting enough. For more detail see how much milk a baby needs.
Breastfed babies can't be measured in millilitres the same way and usually feed more often. Always prepare formula exactly as the packet says — never add extra powder or water.
Talk to your pediatrician if your baby is not gaining weight, has fewer wet diapers, vomits forcefully or often, or refuses feeds. Premature babies and babies with medical conditions may need a different amount set by their doctor.
Log every bottle
With the baby tracker app Trackeron you log each bottle in ml with one tap and see the daily total, so you always know when the last feed was — even when someone else gave it.
Know exactly how much your baby drank today
Log bottles, breastfeeds and pumping in Trackeron and see daily totals. Free to download for iPhone and Android.
Frequently asked questions
How much formula should a baby drink per kg?
A common guideline for young formula-fed babies is about 150 ml per kg of body weight per day, and some babies take a little more. Your pediatrician may give a different figure for your baby.
How much formula per feed?
Divide the daily amount by the number of feeds. A 5 kg baby needing about 750 ml a day over 6 feeds takes roughly 120–130 ml per bottle — but appetite varies from feed to feed.
Is there a maximum amount?
Most guidance suggests that babies rarely need more than about 1 litre (around 32 oz) of formula a day. If your baby seems to want much more, speak to your doctor.
Does this apply after 6 months?
Once solids are introduced, milk needs change. Use the result only as a rough guide and follow your health visitor or pediatrician.
Can I use it for breastfed babies?
Not really — breastfed babies feed on demand and intake can't be measured the same way. Watch diapers, weight gain and contentment instead.