Bottling baby formula

How much in each bottle? Most babies want to be fed more frequently at first, especially if they start small. Bottle fed babies may want to be fed 6, 7, or eight times in 24 hours. You may have discovered your baby's needs in the hospital if you have rooming in. On the other hand, some babies become more wakeful and hungry after three or four days, so don't be surprised.

Most 7 pound babies will want less than a total of 21 ounces of formula in 24 hours, eight pounders less than 24 ounces.

The formulas discussed here provide 26 to 32 ounces, which should be more than enough for 24 hours in the early weeks. Discard any unused formula after 24 hours.

If you're making evaporated milk formula you'll divide 30 ounces into eight bottles at the start, and increase the amount in each as your baby is ready for it.

If you are using ready to use formula for powdered formula, you have a total of 32 ounces. Put four ounces into each of the eight bottles for a start, but don't expect your baby to finish 4 ounces unless she is large, with a large appetite. Later the baby will want fewer bottles and more in each.

If you are making concentrated liquid formula, you'll have a total of 26 ounces. Start with a little over 3 ounces in each of eight bottles. You'll use fewer bottles with more in them later.

When you fill the nursing bottles. Pour the right amount of formula into each bottle. Place the nipples upside down in the bottlenecks. Handle them with tongs, or with your fingers on the outside edges. Put the discs on top of the nipples. Screw the rings on. Leave the ring slightly loose if you've poured in a sterilized formula, so the air can enter the bottle as it cools. Refrigerate.