Infant Feeding Schedule Calculator
Estimates how many millilitres of milk or formula a baby needs per feeding based on weight, age, feeding type, and growth pattern. Use it to plan daily feeding routines from newborn through early solid-food introduction.
About this calculator
Infant daily fluid intake is broadly estimated at 150 mL per kilogram of body weight. This calculator adjusts that baseline for feeding type: formula-fed babies receive the full amount, mixed-fed babies receive 70%, and breastfed babies 50% (reflecting that breast-milk volume is harder to measure directly). A growth-rate multiplier of 1.2 for fast growers and 0.8 for slow growers further refines the estimate. Babies older than 16 weeks typically begin consuming slightly less milk as solid foods approach, so a 0.9 reduction factor is applied. Finally, the daily total is divided by 6 to give a per-feeding volume, assuming six feeds per day. Formula: mL per feed = round(weight × 150 × feedingFactor × growthFactor × ageFactor / 6).
How to use
Suppose your baby weighs 4.5 kg, is 10 weeks old, is formula-fed (factor = 1), and has a normal growth rate (factor = 1). Since age ≤ 16 weeks, the age factor is 1. Daily need = 4.5 × 150 × 1 × 1 × 1 = 675 mL. Divide by 6 feeds: 675 / 6 = 112.5, rounded to 113 mL per feed. For a mixed-fed baby of the same weight: 4.5 × 150 × 0.7 / 6 ≈ 79 mL per feed. Adjust inputs as your baby grows and your feeding approach changes.
Frequently asked questions
How many mL of formula should a newborn have per feeding by weight?
A common guideline is 150 mL of formula per kilogram of body weight spread across the day. For a 3.5 kg newborn that works out to 525 mL per day, or roughly 87 mL per feed across six feeds. Every baby is different, so watch for hunger cues and consult your paediatrician if you are concerned about under- or over-feeding.
How does feeding type affect how much milk a breastfed baby needs?
Because breastfed babies self-regulate at the breast and intake cannot be measured directly, volume-based estimates use a lower fraction of the 150 mL/kg baseline — typically around 50% of the formula benchmark. This does not mean breastfed babies eat less; it simply reflects that the calculator cannot observe direct breast-milk transfer. For precise intake assessment, pre- and post-feed weighted feeds with a calibrated scale are the gold standard.
When should I reduce feeding amounts as my baby gets older?
Around 16–20 weeks, babies typically begin the transition toward solid foods, and milk intake per feed can start to plateau or decline slightly. This calculator applies a 10% reduction for babies older than 16 weeks to reflect that gradual shift. Always follow your healthcare provider's guidance on introducing solids, and continue offering milk on demand even as complementary foods are introduced.