Are there guidelines as to how much a newborn baby should be eating?

I nursed both mine, which made it very simple. Supply balanced demand.
Let your doctor steer you on this. (Why have you decided on formula?)

I breast fed mine too and I let them decide when they were done. I would think that you should the same if you are bottle feeding. Babies go through many growth spurts from birth to one year old.

IIRC a newborn will eat at least 4 oz every couple of hours.

The baby will guide you.

I love FAAAAT babies! Let the baby eat as much and as often as they need to, what you have to worry about is too little

A baby’s stomach is about the size of their fist. Ideally you should be nursing. It’s better for the baby.

Side note: I appreciate the advice on breast feeding vs bottle feeding but I have chosen to bottle feed for my own personal reasons. I’m only interested in the amount of formula an infant should be getting at his age.

Every baby is different @ItalianPrincess1217 it doesn’t hurt him to increase him to 4oz to see how he does for each feeding and if he seems doze off during the feeding then he is probably full and you don’t want to over feed him. There may be times he may want all 4oz’s and others he may want only the 3oz while your increasing. My 2 were both adopted and fed formula and I just went according to need of the baby for my youngest however I was so happy when I received a chart from similac regarding guidelines for my oldest. I looked online and found them here is a link I remember using it as more of a minimum so to make sure that baby would be getting enough because my oldest didn’t like to eat due to being drug addicted at birth so it was a struggle to feed her often and I often had the opposite issue as you.

When my firstborn was about two weeks old, I anxiously asked my pediatrician, “How do I know he’s getting enough?” I was breastfeeding and worried about the fact that I couldn’t measure anything.

“Look at him,” he said. “Does he look healthy?”

“Yes,” I said.

“Then he’s getting enough.”

I bottle fed my second baby from the start – struggled for five weeks breastfeeding with first. I agree with what folks above have been saying – be guided by the baby’s appetite . I used to make up four oz bottles and she would have about two and a half or three to start. She was more hungry at different times so you may find that he needs more at some feeds. Girls have different appetites to boys so he may need more. Some boy babies I knew had big appetites. For me It felt like a waste, all those half full bottles but I felt happier knowing she’d had her fill.

I like what @Jeruba says

PM me if you want to chat about bottle feeding x

I also bottle fed and had the same concerns. All the pediatric people suggested that she have as much as she could take. Babies grow a lot and very fast when they’re teeny, let him eat til he’s full. I’m glad you’re feeling better these days, hope you’re having fun!

Play off his actions. If it seems like he wants more give it to him. My nephew goes through 6 to 8 bottles a day. But he’s growing like crazy and he’s happy and as strong as any baby I’ve ever seen. Learn to read his reactions and best wishes for a happy and fun time raising him.

I would also let the baby be your guide. Make a 4 oz bottle and see if he drinks all of it. As @Stinley said, he may want more at some feedings than at others. This will probably change over time as he grows and begins to have longer stretches between feedings.
I wouldn’t worry about over feeding at this point. If his Dr. hasn’t said that he is getting too fat, or has some sort of problem where he doesn’t feel satiated, then I don’t think he will overeat.

I hope you are enjoying him as much as I am enjoying reading about him and remembering my own wee babes!

Whether you’re using a bottle or a boob, newborns should be fed on demand. That means as much as he or she wants and as often as he or she wants. Just follow his cues. He will let you know when he’s full and you should resist the temptation to coerce him into taking more. When he’s older (like three or four months) you can start to gently nudge him toward being on more of a schedule, but for now just follow his cues. If he’s gaining weight at his own pace and wetting/soiling diapers regularly, he’s getting enough.

If his fussiness is extreme after feeding, talk to the pediatrician. In fact, when you are the parent of a newborn there is no such thing as a silly question so never hesitate to call the doctor’s office if there’s something you are concerned about. You might also want to look into joining a local mom’s group or something like that. It’s amazing what you can learn from other parents.

I just remembered this. Sometimes one formula will not satisfy as well as another, or different types (powder vs concentrate, for example) will make the baby more or less gassy and fussy. Test drive a few different brands and types if he doesn’t seem to be reacting as well as he should. It’s a bit of a pain to switch around, but when you hit on a winning solution everybody’s happier!

^I agree with @JilltheTooth. I’ve cared for many babies. Those that used powdered formulas often had “fussier” babies. The liquids tend to look/smell more like actually breast milk, IMO.

@ItalianPrincess1217 Have you signed up for all of the free formula you can? Though I breastfed, I collected all the coupons I got and had a stock pile of formula…most of which I gave to the food pantry. I did occassionally use enfamil (liquid) for my son if I knew it’d be a difficult time to nurse.

Here’s an update. I have increased the baby’s formula from 3 oz every 2 hours to 4 oz and it’s been holding him off for 3–4 hours so far. He slept great for me last night too. He is only 7 lb 4 oz so I’m not concerned about him being fat at this point :) He’s still a little peanut. Thanks for all the advice!

@ItalianPrincess1217 You sound like your doing just great and so is your little man by the sounds of it. Your doing exactly what your supposed too, following his pattern. There are lots of people out there with lots of advice…..for what its worth here is mine.

Bottle fed babies grow up to be just as ok as breast, probably easier on the feeding scale because you know exactly how much he is taking and can compare to whats coming back up.
Keep listening to your little man, if his is still moany after his milk and its NOT wind, then give him a little more, he will always bring back up what he does not want to eat. No baby has ever died of over feeding so don’t panic that you are giving him too much. He will only thrive on it!
Remember nobody knows your baby like you do.