A newborn infant who is 24 hours old is on a 4-hour feeding schedule of formula. To meet daily caloric needs, how many ounces are recommended at each feeding?

• A. 2 ounces.
• B. 4 ounces.
• C. 1.5 ounces.
• D. 3.5 ounces.

Answer: (D)

Calculating per‑feed volume from daily caloric needs.

Formula typically provides about 20 kcal per ounce. A newborn’s daily energy need is roughly 110 kcal per kilogram of body weight. If the infant weighs about 3.5 kg, daily calories needed are around 385 kcal, which translates to about 19 oz of formula per day. With a 4‑hour feeding schedule, there are six feeds in a day, so 19 oz divided by 6 feeds yields roughly 3.2 oz per feeding. Rounding to a practical, easily measured amount and allowing for small variations in appetite, about 3.5 oz per feeding fits well to meet daily needs while not overfeeding in a single bottle.

In the first day or two, stomach capacity is small and intake gradually increases, but aiming for around 3–4 oz per feeding on a 4-hour schedule is a common target as feeding patterns mature. If a baby shows steady weight gain and adequate urine and stool output, 3.5 oz per feeding is a reasonable guideline.