There are several factors to consider when choosing a formula, including your baby’s tolerance, your budget, quality indicators (i.e., is organic important to you?), and a formula’s availability. To help us guide you in the right direction and give you a personalized recommendation, check out our Formulator feeding quiz at this link.

A baby’s eating habits are as unique as any of their other features! The frequencies provided on this feeding guide are just that—a guide. If you’re concerned that your baby is eating too frequently, or not frequently enough, please consult with your pediatrician. A variety of feeding frequencies can be normal and may not be cause for concern so long as your baby is gaining weight appropriately and is meeting developmental milestones as expected.

As with frequency, the volume a baby eats during each feeding can vary widely from baby-to-baby! While the AAP recommends infants consume roughly 24-32 ounces of formula or breast milk per day during the first year, how much an infant eats at each feeding isn’t always consistent. If you’re concerned that your baby is eating too much, or not eating enough, please consult with your pediatrician. 

Overfeeding is more likely to happen with bottle-fed babies than breastfed babies. Signs of overfeeding may include:

• Increased reflux or vomiting
• Gas or other digestive discomfort
• Weight gain that accelerates more quickly than expected, based on developmental percentile charts

If you’re concerned that you may be overfeeding your baby, please consult with your child’s doctor to discuss feeding volume, frequency, and symptoms you may be noticing.

Infants need to eat frequently—not only because they have a smaller stomach capacity, but also because they are growing at a more rapid rate than they will at any other time in their lives! Babies need adequate calories, fat, and other nutrients to grow. Signs of underfeeding may include:

• Lethargy or excessive sleepiness
• Dehydration (dry mouth, sunken in fontanelle aka ‘soft spot’ in the skull
• Slower than expected weight gain
• Fewer than expected daily wet and/or dirty diapers

If you’re worried that your baby may not be eating enough, please discuss with your child’s doctor to evaluate feeding volume and frequency, and eliminate possible medical conditions that can contribute to slow weight gain.

Tap Water

✅ Usually perfectly fine

✅ Convenient and economical

❓ Ask your pediatrician or local health department if you have concerns

Bottled Water

✅ Can be a good backup option

❓ Check expiration dates (yes, water can expire!)

⚠️ Not all bottled waters are created equal—avoid mineral or sparkling varieties

Distilled or Purified Water

✅ Both are completely fine to use

✅ Ready to use without boiling

✅ Good option when traveling or if tap water quality is questionable

The Temperature Sweet Spot

For optimal formula reconstitution, warm water to 100°F (38°C). This temperature helps the formula dissolve properly and ensures all those nutrients mix perfectly. Not too hot, not too cold—just right for baby's belly and the formula's chemistry.

The Golden Rule

ALWAYS follow the mixing instructions on the formula container.

Formula is scientifically designed with specific water-to-powder ratios.

Check out this article for more details about choosing the best water for your baby.

Complete Guide to Formula Feeding: Water & Preparation

Water Options

✅ Tap water: Safe if your local water supply is reliable

✅ Bottled water: Distilled or purified water work perfectly (no need for special "nursery water")

✅ Temperature: Warm to 100°F (38°C) for optimal formula dissolution

Water Safety

🔥 Boiling Instructions (When Needed)

If your pediatrician recommends sterilizing drinking water or formula, the CDC provides these boiling guidelines:

• Bring distilled or tap water to a rolling boil.
• Bring to a rolling boil for no more than one minute.
• Remove from heat and let the boiling water cool for five minutes.
• Mix the cooled boiled water with your powdered formula.
  

Formula Preparation

Step 1: Wash Your Hands 🧼

• Thoroughly wash with soap and water
• Clean preparation surface
• Ensure bottles and nipples are clean

Step 2: Add Water to the Bottle First 💧

• Water always goes in before powder for accurate measurement
• Use one scoop for every 2 oz of water

Step 3: Measure the Powder Correctly 📏

• Use the scoop provided with your formula
• Drag scoop through powder (don't dig or pack)
• Gently tap to settle
• One level scoop per 2oz of water

Step 4: Add Powder to Water

• Add correct number of scoops based on the water amount (1 level scoop for every 2oz of water)

Step 5: Mix Thoroughly 🔄

• Shake, stir, or swirl until completely dissolved
• For fewer bubbles: stir instead of shake, or let sit briefly

Step 6: Storage Safety ⏰

• After feeding begins: Use within 1 hour
• Prepared but unused: 2 hours at room temperature
• Refrigerated: Up to 24 hours
• Warmed bottle: Must use within 1 hour, cannot be saved

⚠️ Always discard leftover formula after feeding – bacteria from baby's mouth contaminate the bottle.

Have more questions or want to dive deeper? Check out this article to help with tips and tricks plus FAQs about bottle making.

Every baby is different, but we recommend a full transition to Bobbie from day 1! We don’t recommend mixing formulas since it could complicate what must go through your baby's sensitive digestive system! Here are some best practices for transitioning:

• Introduce a new formula in the morning so you can keep an eye on your baby throughout the day
• Remember that it can take your baby around a week to fully adapt to a new formula (in the meantime, you may notice changes to poop schedule or texture, color, grunts, or spit-up)
• Chat with your pediatrician before making the switch to ensure a smooth transition!

Here’s a quick video from our team on switching your baby to Bobbie. Also, check out this article on transitioning from our blog, Milk Drunk!

You can store a freshly prepared and untouched bottle of Bobbie at room temperature for up to 2 hours or in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Once feeding has begun, discard the bottle after 1 hour. Don’t refrigerate leftover formula to save it for later.