For most U.S. powders, use 1 level scoop per 2 fl oz (60 mL) of water; always use the tin’s scoop and follow the label.
How Many Formula Scoops For Newborns: Mixing Rules
Newborn bottles are easy once you know the base ratio. In the U.S., the standard mix uses one level scoop of powder for each two fluid ounces of water. Brands include a scoop sized to match that ratio, so stick with the scoop that came in your tin. Outside the U.S., some labels list one level scoop for every 30 mL of water; that reflects a smaller scoop used in those markets. When the label differs, the label wins.
Always measure the water first, then add powder. That small step keeps the concentration right and keeps minerals, protein, and calories where they should be. Never pack the scoop, and don’t guess with kitchen spoons. Level the scoop, add it to the measured water, cap, and shake until the powder dissolves with no clumps.
Newborn feeds are small at first. Many babies take 1–2 oz in the first days, then move toward 2–3 oz per feed during the first couple of weeks. To keep accuracy, mix in full-scoop steps and pour off what you don’t need instead of trying to make half scoops.
Mixing Chart (U.S. Brands, 1 Scoop Per 2 Fl Oz)
Use the scoop that came with your product. Measure cold water in the bottle to the line shown below, then add the listed scoops. Shake well until smooth.
| Water Level | Add Scoops | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2 fl oz (60 mL) | 1 | Small starter feed |
| 4 fl oz (120 mL) | 2 | Common newborn bottle |
| 6 fl oz (180 mL) | 3 | For growing appetite |
| 8 fl oz (240 mL) | 4 | Often split across feeds |
| 10 fl oz (300 mL) | 5 | Night prep |
| 12 fl oz (360 mL) | 6 | Fridge prep; use safely |
If your tin uses a different scoop size or shows a different water-to-scoop line, follow that chart. The goal is the labeled concentration, not a one-size rule.
Exactly How To Measure A Scoop
Level, Never Packed
Fill the scoop loosely, then level it flat with the built-in leveller or the straight edge of a clean, dry knife. A packed scoop adds too much powder, and a heaping scoop makes bottles too dense. Level scoops keep the mix on spec.
Use The Right Scoop
Scoop sizes vary across brands and regions. A U.S. scoop is larger than the small scoop paired with a 30 mL line on some non-U.S. labels. Using the wrong scoop changes the concentration even when the number of scoops looks the same. Keep the scoop with its tin, and let it air-dry if it gets wet before returning it to the can. Always keep the scoop dry between uses, and store it inside the lid, not buried in the powder.
Measure Water First
Set the bottle on a flat surface, pour water to the line, check at eye level, then add powder. Adding water after powder can lead to under-mixing and a higher-than-intended concentration.
Water, Warming, And Safety
Use Safe Water
Tap or bottled water that is safe to drink also works for mixing formula. In settings where the water supply is uncertain, boiling and cooling the water before mixing can add a layer of safety. Don’t microwave bottles; hot spots are common. If you warm a bottle, run it under warm water or set it in a warm water bath and test a few drops on your wrist.
Storage Rules
Prepared formula stays safe in the fridge for up to 24 hours when capped and kept cold. A bottle kept at room temperature should be used within two hours. Once a baby starts drinking from a bottle, the rest should be discarded within one hour.
Clean Gear
Wash bottles, nipples, rings, and caps with hot soapy water and a dedicated brush, then air-dry. Many families run a daily cycle in the dishwasher if parts are dishwasher-safe. Before the first use, sanitize items by boiling for five minutes or using a steam bag.
Troubleshooting Common Mix Issues
Too Foamy Or Clumpy
Powder dissolves best in cold water with a firm shake. If clumps hang around, try swirling for a few seconds, then shake again. Tiny bubbles fade after a short rest.
Spit-Up Right After Feeds
Fast flow, air in the nipple, or overfilling can lead to spit-up. Try a slower nipple, burp mid-feed, and aim for a calm angle. If spit-up soaks clothes or baby seems uncomfortable, check your mix steps and feed size.
Constipation Or Loose Stools
Both show up in the newborn period and often clear on their own. A bottle mixed too strong may lead to firmer stools; a thin mix may lead to watery stools. Review your scoop leveling, water measure, and bottle size, then watch diapers over the next day.
Gas And Fussiness
Swallowing air while gulping, an off nipple size, or a rushed feed can all play a part. Frequent pauses to burp, a paced-feeding angle, and steady scoop leveling usually help. If you see blood in stool, a new rash, or ongoing distress, call your pediatrician.
Brand Labels And Regional Differences
Labels differ because scoops differ. U.S. tins typically match 1 scoop to 2 fl oz of water. Many international tins match 1 scoop to 30 mL of water. Each system lands on the right concentration for that scoop, so the only correct method is the one printed on your tin. When you switch products, read the label, check the chart above, and run your mix with fresh eyes before that first bottle.
Ready-to-feed liquid and liquid concentrate skip the scoop entirely. Ready-to-feed pours straight into the bottle. Liquid concentrate mixes one-to-one with safe water. Those formats cost more, yet they help during travel or during power outages when boiling or refrigeration is a challenge.
When To Ask Your Pediatrician
Call your baby’s doctor right away for fewer than five wet diapers a day after the first week, weak sucking, repeated forceful vomiting, fever, or if your baby seems listless. Bring your bottle, scoop, and notes so the care team can spot any mix issues quickly.
For clear, label-based mixing steps and storage rules, see the CDC guide to infant formula preparation and storage. For U.S. scoop-to-water ratios in plain language, see this AAP bottle-feeding Q&A. If you live outside the U.S., your tin may list 1 scoop per 30 mL; follow that label exactly.
Night Prep And Batch Mixing
Night feeds run smoother with a tiny bit of planning. Mix bottles with safe cold water, cap, and store them in the back of the fridge. Make only what you’ll use in the next day. At feeding time, warm a single bottle under running warm water or in a warm water bath. Never add fresh powder to a partly used bottle, and don’t save a bottle once your baby has started drinking from it.
Feeding Volumes In The First Weeks
Newborn stomachs start small. Feeds begin as sips and grow week by week. Watch your baby’s cues: steady sucking, hands to mouth, and early rooting signal hunger; turning away and relaxed hands signal a pause.
| Age | Typical Intake Per Feed | Usual Spacing |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1–3 | 0.5–1 oz (15–30 mL) | Every 2–3 hours |
| Days 4–7 | 1–2 oz (30–60 mL) | Every 2–3 hours |
| Weeks 2–3 | 2–3 oz (60–90 mL) | Every 3 hours |
| Weeks 4–5 | 3–4 oz (90–120 mL) | Every 3–4 hours |
If your baby often drinks less than a full 2 oz, mix a 2 oz bottle with one level scoop, feed to satiety, then discard leftover formula within one hour of the start of that feed. You can also prepare clean bottles in advance, keep them capped in the fridge for up to 24 hours, and warm only the bottle you plan to use. Always toss any formula that a baby has already sipped from.
Quick Safe-Mix Checklist
- Wash your hands. Work on a clean, dry surface.
- Use safe water. If in doubt, boil for five minutes, cool, then measure.
- Measure water in the bottle first. Read the line at eye level.
- Loosely fill the scoop. Level it with the built-in leveller or a clean straight edge.
- Add the right number of level scoops for the measured water line.
- Cap and shake until the mix looks smooth.
- Refrigerate bottles you won’t use within two hours.
- Discard any leftover formula within one hour once feeding starts.
Making Small Feeds Without Half Scoops
Stick to full scoops for accuracy. If your newborn takes 1 oz at a time, mix a 2 oz bottle with one level scoop and offer what your baby wants. The rest should be discarded within one hour of the start of that feed. As intake grows toward 2–3 oz per feed, the chart above will match what you see day to day.