Most babies are fine drinking regular breast
milk or formula. Normal breast milk or formula usually has
20 calories per ounce. If your baby is smaller than normal
or gaining less weight than expected, your health care
provider may recommend that you make a higher calorie breast
milk or formula for your child.
Your provider will usually recommend that
you make milk that is either 22 or 24 calories per ounce,
depending on how many calories your baby needs. You can make
high calorie milk using formula or pumped breast milk.
There are some formulas made specially for
children who were born prematurely. They are called
premature follow-up formulas and already contain extra
calories when prepared according to the package directions.
They are made just for children who were born prematurely
and should not be used by babies that were full-term.
Breast-Fed
Babies (Full-Term and Premature)
When preparing high-calorie breast milk for premature babies
you do not need to use special premature formula. Regular
formula works fine.
Formula-Fed
Full-Term Babies
- To prepare a
22-calorie/ounce formula:
If you are using concentrated liquid
formula, mix 5.5 ounces (163 mL) of formula with every
4.5 ounces (133 mL) of water.
If you are using powder formula, mix 3
scoops of powder with every 5.5 ounces (163 mL) of
water.
- To prepare a
24-calorie/ounce formula:
If you are using concentrated liquid
formula, mix 3 ounces (89 mL) of formula for every 2
ounces (59 mL) of water.
If you are using powder formula, mix 3
scoops of powder with every 5 ounces (148 mL) of water.
Formula-Fed Premature Babies
If your baby was born prematurely, your
provider may recommend using a special premature follow-up
formula. You can buy these special follow-up formulas at the
store. Examples include Neosure Advance Premature Infant
Formula and Enfacare Lipil Formula.
If you have questions about preparing formula for your baby,
call your health care provider.
