How to measure baby formula without scoop

January 22, 2019 2 Comments

Are you new to formula feeding? Maybe you've decided to change formulas recently. Baby formula measurements can be mind boggling at the best of times especially when you're tired and everything is new and important and goodness me maybe even life changing!

Don't worry. Take a deep breath. We're here for you. We've been through it. Let's start with a few regular bottle sizes.

How to make a 5 oz bottle of formula?

Maybe you're wondering how many scoops of formula for 5 oz? And how big is a scoop anyway? And what if I lost my scoop, along with my marbles...

A scoop is extremely close to a tablespoon. So even if the bad luck fairies flew off with your scoop, hopefully you've still got a few tablespoons lying around that you can use to measure with.

Mix 1 scoop to 1 oz of water.***

Easy right?

Oh but hang on how much is 1 oz of water? Tablespoon to the rescue again! An oz of water is about 2 tablespoons.

Ah the good old trusty tablespoon. Cutlery we can rely on.

So… a 5 oz bottle has 5 scoops.

***Please keep in mind that every formula brand uses a slightly different measurement. These guidelines are for our Holle, Lebenswert and HiPP formulas.

How many scoops of formula for 3 oz bottle?

You guessed it... 3 scoops.

Still not feeling as confident as you would like to? Many baby bottles will have measurement marks on the side you can use as a guide.

And we’ve gone a step further and prepared for you a great chart here to help you with measurements of some of our Organic Baby Food Shop formulas.

Let's try an example together...

Holle Organic Formula Stage Pre is a great starter formula.

For 2-4 week old you may give 6 to 7 bottles per day and each bottle would be 3.4oz. That means 3 scoops to 3 oz of water.

scoop size

Some more tips to prepare your baby formula

There are also some really good tips to ensure that your baby bottle is the best quality and free of any yucky nasty germs. Be sure to sterilize all bottles and teats before you use them. Boil them in water or buy a fancy sterilizer to take the stress out of your life a little.

When you make baby’s bottle, use bottled or distilled water. Boil it and cool it first. Yes I know, even bottled water, health experts still recommend that it is boiled to remove any potential impurities. It doesn’t take long, just a few minutes. It’s worth the time and effort.

Pour the water into your baby’s bottle and scoop in the formula. Shake it really, truly, extremely well, and run it under the hot tap to warm it quickly. There are different warming methods but this is the fastest if you are in a rush. Make sure you move the bottle around under the tap so all the formula mixes and warms and there aren’t cold or hot patches.

Make sure to check the temperature, it should be about 98°F. Pour some on the inside of your wrist where the skin is soft and sensitive if you can't measure the bottle temperature.

A 5 to 6 month old will drink double that amount in half the time. 3 to 5 bottles per day of 6.7 oz. They really have the hang of it by that age.

We know by now you can do the math but if you're still unsure please refer to our handy chart.

Making those first few bottles is a nerve racking experience. But soon you will become so fast and so natural at it you'll surprise yourself.

You'll feel confident to take baby to the park with a pre made bottle in a temperature regulating carrier.

You'll be prepared to make a bottle at a friend or family member’s house.

You'll have your steamers and your cleaners and your boilers and all your de-germ apparatus.

And guess what else you'll have?

More time and cuddles with your baby.

That's the truly magical ending.

2 Responses

Larissa

July 23, 2021

Hi Brooke,
Thanks for reaching out! Every formula brand uses a slightly different measurement. These guidelines are for our Holle, Lebenswert and HiPP formulas.