One of the first questions every new parent asks is simple: how much milk does my baby actually need? Too little and you worry your baby is hungry; too much and you worry about overfeeding. The good news is that babies follow fairly predictable patterns in their first year, and a simple chart removes most of the guesswork.
Breast milk is best for babies, and formula should be used on a health professional’s advice. If you are formula feeding — fully or alongside breastfeeding — this guide will help you understand typical amounts by age, how to read your baby’s own hunger cues, and when to check in with your pediatrician.
Formula feeding chart by age
The amounts below are in millilitres (ml), because that is how formula is measured and prepared in Pakistan — one level scoop of powder for every 30 ml of water, unless your tin says otherwise. Treat these figures as a starting guide, not a strict rule.
| Age | Weight guide | Amount per feed (ml) | Feeds per 24h | Total per day (ml) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–2 weeks | 2.5–3.5 kg | 30–60 ml | 8–12 | 240–540 ml |
| 2 weeks–2 months | 3.5–5.5 kg | 90–120 ml | 7–9 | 540–900 ml |
| 2–4 months | 5–7 kg | 120–150 ml | 6–7 | 720–1,000 ml |
| 4–6 months | 6.5–8.5 kg | 150–180 ml | 5–6 | 750–1,080 ml |
| 6–9 months | 7.5–9.5 kg | 180–210 ml | 4–5 | 720–950 ml, plus solid foods |
| 9–12 months | 8.5–10.5 kg | 180–240 ml | 3–4 | 540–800 ml, plus family foods |
Please read this note before using the chart: every baby is different, and these are averages gathered from general feeding guidance. Some babies drink a little more, some a little less, and appetites change during growth spurts and hot weather. Always follow your pediatrician’s guidance for your own child, and always follow the scoop directions printed on your formula tin — the tin’s directions take precedence over any chart, including this one. In the first days, tiny stomachs need small, frequent feeds; the amounts grow quickly over the first two weeks.
How to read the chart
Think of the chart as a range to land inside, not a target to hit exactly. A healthy formula feeding schedule usually looks like this: short, frequent feeds in the newborn weeks, then gradually larger feeds with longer gaps as your baby’s stomach grows. By around two months, many babies settle into a rhythm of a feed every three to four hours. By six months, when solid foods begin, the number of milk feeds slowly comes down while the amount per feed stays similar.
Your baby’s weight matters more than the exact day count. A smaller baby may stay on the lower end of a range for longer, and a bigger baby may move up sooner. That is normal. Appetite also varies from feed to feed — a baby who takes 150 ml happily in the morning may only want 120 ml in the evening. What matters is steady growth along your baby’s own curve, which your pediatrician tracks at each visit.
Signs your baby is getting enough
Numbers help, but your baby gives you clearer signs than any chart:
- Wet nappies: from about day five onwards, at least five to six heavily wet nappies in 24 hours, plus regular dirty nappies.
- Steady weight gain: after the normal small weight loss in the first days, your baby gains weight steadily at check-ups.
- Content after feeds: your baby seems relaxed, sleepy, or calmly alert after most feeds, and can go a reasonable gap before the next one.
- Alert and active: during wake times your baby is responsive, with good colour and energy for their age.
If these signs are present, your baby is almost certainly getting enough — even if a feed is smaller than the chart suggests.
Signs of underfeeding and overfeeding
Possible underfeeding signs (general information only): fewer wet nappies than expected, a baby who seems constantly hungry and unsettled even after feeds, slow or no weight gain over several weeks, or unusual sleepiness and weak crying in a newborn. If you notice these, speak to your pediatrician promptly rather than simply adding more milk on your own.
Possible overfeeding signs: regularly spitting up large amounts, discomfort or excessive wind after feeds, and weight gain your doctor says is faster than expected. Babies self-regulate well when we let them — a baby who closes their mouth, turns their head, or pushes the bottle away is telling you the feed is over.
From 1 to 3 years: growing-up milk
After the first birthday, milk is no longer your child’s main food — family meals are. Toddlers get most of their nutrition from foods the family eats: roti, rice, daal, sabzi, eggs, chicken, fruit, and yoghurt, across three meals and small snacks.
Growing-up milk (stage 3 formula) can sit alongside that diet in smaller amounts — typically around 300–500 ml across the whole day, often as one or two cup servings rather than bottles. This is also the age to move from bottle to cup, which supports healthy teeth and speech development. Many parents find it helps to offer the cup with meals and keep water available through the day.
For more on nutrition in this stage, read our guide to nutritional support for your toddler’s growth and development.
Common mistakes to avoid
1. Making the feed too strong. Adding extra scoops “to make it more filling” is one of the most common and most risky mistakes. Formula that is too concentrated can strain a baby’s kidneys and cause constipation and dehydration. Always use level scoops, and always add the powder to the measured water — the exact method is covered step by step in our next guide on how to prepare formula milk safely.
2. Forcing your baby to finish the bottle. A bottle is not a plate that must be cleaned. If your baby shows full cues, stop — even if 30 ml is left. Forcing the finish teaches babies to ignore their own fullness signals.
3. Topping up without guidance. If you are breastfeeding and feel your supply is low, or you are unsure whether to add extra formula feeds, talk to your doctor or a lactation consultant first. Topping up changes both supply and demand, so it is worth getting advice before it becomes a routine.
4. Comparing with another baby. The neighbour’s baby drinking 180 ml at three months says nothing about your baby — growth curves are individual.
When you are choosing a stage of formula for your child’s age, it can help to see the options laid out side by side — you can compare formula stages by age to understand which stage matches your baby’s current phase before discussing it with your pediatrician.
Frequently asked questions
Naya paida bacha kitna doodh pita hai?
Pehle dinon mein baby ka pait bohat chota hota hai, is liye woh aik feed mein sirf 30–60 ml peeta hai, lekin din mein 8–12 dafa. Dusre haftay ke aakhir tak aksar bachay 90 ml tak peenay lagtay hain. Agar baby din mein kam az kam 5–6 peshab walay nappy geelay kar raha hai aur wazan ahista ahista barh raha hai, to aam tor par doodh kaafi mil raha hai.
Formula milk kitni der tak istemal kar sakte hain?
Tayyar kiya gaya formula kamray ke darja hararat par sirf 2 ghantay tak istemal karna chahiye — is ke baad phaink dein. Agar feed pehle se bana kar rakhna hai to foran fridge mein rakhein aur 24 ghantay ke andar istemal kar lein. Bachay ke munh se laga hua bacha hua doodh dubara garam ya dubara istemal na karein, kyun ke is mein bacteria paida ho sakte hain.
How much formula does a 3-month-old need?
Most 3-month-olds take around 120–150 ml per feed, six to seven times a day — roughly 750–950 ml in total. Some days will be more, especially during a growth spurt. Watch the wet-nappy and contentment signs above rather than chasing an exact number.
Can I give my baby more formula if they still seem hungry?
Occasional extra-hungry days are normal. Offer a small additional amount (for example 30 ml, freshly prepared) and watch the response. If your baby seems hungry at nearly every feed for several days, mention it at your next pediatrician visit — sometimes the teat flow or simple wind is the real issue.
When should I move to the next formula stage?
Stages follow age bands — stage 1 for 0–6 months, stage 2 for 6–12 months, and stage 3 from one year, when milk becomes a smaller part of a toddler’s diet. You do not need to switch the very day your baby turns six months; finishing the current tin first is fine for most babies. Your pediatrician can confirm the right timing for your child, and brands such as Nutura Gold label each stage clearly on the pack to help you check.
This article is general information only and is not medical advice. Feeding amounts vary from baby to baby, and nothing here replaces the guidance of your own doctor. Please consult your pediatrician about your baby’s feeding, growth, or health at any time you are unsure — especially in the first six months.
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