Bumps SmittenIf you are planning to feed canned formula to your baby, one of your first priorities is to know how many cans your baby will need per month. After all, canned formula is different from breastmilk, and an excessive amount of it may not be beneficial for your little one in the long run.
How many cans of formula a month is recommended and safe for your little one then?
- For babies 1 to 3 months old, the recommended average amount is 6 to 7 cans of 12.5-ounce formula.
- Once your baby reaches 3 to 6 months old, he will need around 8 to 9 cans.
- Your baby will then need a maximum of 10 cans a month after your baby crosses the 6-month mark.
These numbers, however, are only rough estimates. The exact amount will still differ depending on different factors, such as the weight, nutrient needs, and overall health condition of your baby.
Continue reading to know more about the correct quantity of canned formula that your baby can consume per month.
Different Types of Canned Formula
Before you worry about the number of cans that your baby will need per month, it is important to check the specific type of formula you are buying in the first place. Now, this is not about the brand of formula but the form instead.
There are three different forms of infant formula that you can find in the market today. The type of formula that you will buy will depend on your budget and your convenience level.
Powdered Formula
The least expensive type of formula is the powdered formula that is made by adding water to the powder. When combined with water, powdered milk is processed by the stomach to make it more digestible. It also contains all of the necessary vitamins and minerals found in breast milk. However, it does not contain any immunities or proteins that are found in breast milk.
Concentrated Liquid Formula
The second type is the concentrated liquid formula that you need to mix with water as well. Concentrated formulas are typically made for babies who need an extra boost of nutrients or calories, but can be used on any age of infant. These formulas usually contain more protein and carbohydrates than standard formula, and often have a higher calorie count as well. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not set a recommended daily intake for concentrated formula, but it is generally accepted that they should only be fed to babies who cannot gain weight appropriately with standard formula.
Ready-To-Use Formula
Ready-to-use formula, or RTF for short, is a powdered infant formula that has been dehydrated and mixed with water to create a convenient, sanitary way of feeding an infant. Not only does it protect against food borne illness but it also offers parents a quick and efficient means of getting their baby the nutrients they need.
The number of cans of formula you will need per month might differ based on the specific formula you use. But again, remember that there are still other factors that will affect the amount of formula you should buy for your little one.
How Many Cans of Formula Per Month for Babies Aged 0-6 Months?
There is a simple rule you can follow to determine the amount of formula that your baby will need during the first 6 months. This is the period when your baby cannot have solid foods yet.
You should give 2.5 oz of formula for every pound of your baby’s body weight per day. Take note that your little one may sometimes need less or more than this amount based on your baby’s growth spurts and hunger.
For example, if your baby weighs 10 pounds, multiply it by 2.5 oz. This means that your baby will need 25 oz a day.
To determine the number of ounces per bottle, you should divide this number by how many feedings your baby gets per day.
If you feed your baby 8 times a day, just divide 25 by 8. It means that your baby should have 3.12 oz per feeding.
How Many Cans of Formula Per Month for Babies Aged 6-12 Months?
After your baby reaches 6 months of age, you can start introducing some complementary solid foods. This is also the time when it becomes natural and normal for them to feed on a lesser amount of formula as they get closer to one year old.
It is still important to remember that breastmilk or formula should remain the main source of nutrition for your little one. Solid foods must only be secondary to this up until your baby reaches one year old.
How Long Will a Can of Formula Last for Newborns?
Every can of powdered formula can produce different amounts of liquid formula that your baby can drink. A regular can of formula that weighs 12.5 oz can produce around 80 to 82 fluid ounces.
In contrast, large cans weighing 22 oz can make approximately 140 to 143 ounces depending on the specific brand. Bulk refills that weigh 30 to 36 oz can produce up to 203 fluid ounces.
Considering all these numbers, if your baby consumes a maximum of 32 ounces of formula a day, he can consume 30 to 36, 22, and 12.5 oz cans within 7, 5, and 3 days respectively.
There is about 0.3 oz of the formula contained in most scoops. With the recommended ratio of 1:2 or 1 scoop of formula for every 2 ounces of water, it only means that it will take up to 42 scoops to consume a 12.5 oz can.
It is only ideal for the powdered formula to produce more food once combined with water. A single scoop of 0.3 oz will produce more ounces of liquid food, which means that your baby will feel fuller with less. Based on this, it is safe to say that one can of formula lasts much longer than expected.
How Long Does a Can of Formula Stay Fresh?
All manufacturers of baby formula have set specifications on proper handling that must be followed to ensure that it remains fresh. The specifications include the date of expiration, the storage conditions, and the different circumstances and situations that may affect the formula.
An unopened or sealed can of formula can stay fresh and remain on the shelf up to its date of expiration given the right conditions. Opened cans, alternatively, must be consumed in a month from the day you open them.
In the case of prepared formulas, these can remain safe for up to 24 hours when refrigerated and 2 hours if not. This rule is also applicable for ready-to-use infant formulas.
There is a risk of dangerous bacteria harboring in the bottle if you leave it sitting after a partial feed. This can make your baby exposed to foodborne illnesses. The consequences of this can be severe or even fatal considering their young age and the fact that their immune system is not yet fully developed.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the average family will need 48 cans of formula in one month. That is a lot of cans! It is important for parents to know how much formula they will need in the long-term so they can plan accordingly. A baby can go through four cans in two weeks, which means that if your baby drinks three ounces per day, they will drink 24 ounces per week.
