SUMMARY:
Welcoming a baby into your family is a huge joy. An exceptional gift that often brings a lot of questions along with it... For example, how many bottles should you plan per day? If this question is stressing you out, start by reassuring yourself... In this article, you’ll find all the information you need to navigate your baby's bottle-feeding meals with peace of mind! 🍼
The number of bottles to plan per day (and the quantity of milk) depends on your child's age
From 0 to 1 month:
So overjoyed with your baby in your arms, you could almost forget that bottle time is coming up! To avoid being caught off guard, take out the bottle ahead of time and make sure it’s already clean. Note that newborn bottles rarely contain more than 3 oz (90 mL) of milk during the first month after coming home from the hospital...
However, since your baby's stomach is no bigger than a cherry, they’ll need to be fed more often with small amounts. You should plan on preparing about 8 bottles a day, making sure to space them at least 2 hours apart to prevent the risk of developing infant colic.
From 1 to 3 months:
At this age, your baby feeds exclusively on milk, either breastmilk or formula. If you are giving your little one formula, be sure to follow these guidelines: 5 to 6 bottles a day of 5 oz (150 mL). For this volume, a small bottle is still suitable. You can also opt for a larger size so that powder doesn’t clump when you shake the bottle to mix. Feed your baby slowly to reduce the risk of regurgitation or reflux.
From 3 to 6 months:
After your baby turns three months old, bottles of milk are still the main part of their meals. And even though food diversification may have started, it is important to continue giving at least 5 bottles a day. In terms of quantity, increase the milk doses gradually up to 7 oz (210 mL) at six months.
Of course, pay attention to your child and don’t force them to drink if they seem full. Make sure your baby is truly satisfied at the end of meals. If their growth curve is on track, there’s no reason to worry!
From 6 months to 1 year:
Between six months and one year, your baby may sometimes eat by themselves with their fingers or holding a spoon. However, milk is still a very important source of nutrients and calcium for their development. At one year, it's estimated that a baby should drink about 17 fl oz of milk a day, that is, 500 mL or 16.9 oz. The number of bottles generally corresponds to the number of daily meals.
During this period, solid foods are gradually introduced and your baby tries new tastes. All these new flavors can also sometimes make them lose interest in milk! If that’s the case, you can supplement their meals with dairy products such as cottage cheese or yogurt.
From 1 to 2 years:
The bottles of milk you choose to give your baby after age one are no longer necessary, but are part of your child's enjoyment of food. It's up to you to set the rules for fun meals.
However, don’t overdo it at night.
Cavities are a real risk for your child. If you don’t want your child to have a bottle at night for any reason (your pediatrician’s advice, leaky diapers at night, stomach aches, risk of cavities), at this stage, you don’t have to give one. However, you'll need to find the right balance to avoid frustrating your child too much while gently beginning weaning . Patience and perseverance go a long way.
How many bottles per day if you are breastfeeding?
The guidelines above are easy to follow if your baby is fed exclusively with formula. But if you're breastfeeding, things are a little different! 😉 No worries, though.
If you're breastfeeding, you don’t have to buy bottles right away
Your baby, even just a few hours after birth, knows how to recognize signs of hunger and will let you know! So you can nurse your baby as soon as they ask, following the supply and demand principle.
If breastfeeding is going well and you have no plans to switch to mixed feeding, you won't need to worry about any bottles! However, you might want to prepare for stopping breastfeeding by purchasing from a manufacturer who cares about your baby's health.
In some cases, a baby may struggle to nurse at birth even after several attempts.
Persevere and seek advice from your midwife, doula, or lactation consultant who can give you all the tools for successful breastfeeding.
If, despite all this advice, breastfeeding becomes hard for you, give yourself the option to offer a bottle if needed. The fatigue from childbirth certainly doesn't help, and having this option can be a lifesaver in the early days. It won’t jeopardize your breastfeeding journey if you stick with it. 😉
Plan to buy 2 or 3 bottles for mixed feeding
But if you’d like to take care of yourself or simply rest a while, you can let your partner handle meal times sometimes. They can prepare a bottle every now and then, which also gives your breasts a break... When it comes to the number of bottles per day, keep in mind that:
- Buying several makes it easier to rotate between meals.
- Having only one bottle may force you to clean it constantly.
Did you know? By expanding your bottle collection, your schedule becomes more flexible, and you’ll have to wash dishes less often! 😉
Mixed feeding: What if you stored your milk to give it later in a bottle?
● Going shopping,
● Getting some fresh air in the woods,
● Saying hello to friends,
● Going to a workout,
● …
Mixed feeding offers young moms real freedom.
In that case, you’ll need to pump your milk at the usual feeding times to avoid becoming engorged. The "let-down" is a very distinctive sensation that feels like tingling, cramping, or electricity in your breasts.
So you’ll instantly recognize when it’s time to pump! Expressed milk can be collected and kept in the fridge or freezer to give to your baby later. It will be safe to consume:
➔ for 48 hours if stored in your fridge.
➔ for 4 hours at room temperature (max 77°F/25°C)
➔ and 4 months in the freezer in a dated and sealed container.
What's the ideal number of bottles to buy if you are not breastfeeding?
If breastfeeding is not part of your maternity plan, we recommend purchasing 5 bottles for your baby. It's a good way to have peace of mind, less time with your hands in the sink, and the ability to stash them wherever you want (glove compartment, diaper bag, nanny’s house, grandparents’ house, kitchen cabinets, etc.) 😉
Ideally, here are the recommended bottle sizes:
● 2 bottles of 5 oz (150 mL)
● 2 bottles of 8 oz (240 mL)
● 1 bottle of 11 oz (330 mL)
The 5 oz bottles are only used for a few months but they’re rotated often, so it’s best to have 2 for your peace of mind. The 8 oz and 11 oz bottles will be useful for a long time, and having more than one also allows your baby to change accessories: don’t hesitate to mix up the colors to brighten up feeding time!
In summary
The number of bottles to plan each day before baby's arrival should be enough so you don't waste time searching for and washing bottles all the time during those first months.
● Small bottles are only used for the first months. But you can keep them afterwards for giving your baby water.
● Larger ones are useful for feeding babies over 3 months, and will last until full weaning.
→ To find out more about the bottles offered on our site, see ICI ! 😇
