Unless you’re exclusively breastfeeding and never plan to give your baby a bottle, you will need bottles at some point. As a first time mom you may be wondering… how many baby bottles do I need if breastfeeding? Or formula feeding? Can you both breastfeed and bottle feed? This post will go over all of that and more common questions asked by new moms about purchasing bottles for their new little babe!
How Many Baby Bottles Do I Need if Breastfeeding?
This question may have a few different answers depending upon how often you plan to breastfeed. Here are some different ways mothers nurse their breastfed babies:
- exclusively breastfeed with no bottles
- exclusively breastfeed with a bottle every now and then (ex. date nights or running errands)
- breastfeed when with baby and pump while at work
- exclusively pump so baby only gets breast milk from a bottle
If you choose to exclusively breastfeed and just give your baby a bottle occasionally, then 3-4 bottles should be enough.
If you will be using a breast pump while at work and your baby will be taking bottles at daycare or with another caretaker, then 8-10 bottles may work better for you.
And if you will be exclusively pumping and your baby is only bottle feeding, then 12-14 may be a good idea.
Things to Consider When Deciding How Many Baby Bottles to Purchase
The numbers above are just estimates of the general amount of bottles you may need. However, there are a few other factors you may want to consider when deciding how many baby bottles to purchase.
- Cleaning: if you have the time and choose to wash bottles immediately after using them, then you won’t need as many bottles. You can purchase the number of bottles you use in the day and only have those on hand.
- What does your day look like: will you be sending your baby to daycare? Is your baby going through a growth spurt and requiring a higher number of bottles than usual? Will you be home with your baby most of the day?
- Preparing baby’s bottles ahead: are you going to prepare your baby’s bottles ahead of time for daycare or their caretaker? This may be required by some daycares and would be a good idea for determining how much milk your baby drinks in a day. However, you will still want to send an extra bottle or two in case your baby wants more.
- Cost: if cost is not a factor for you, it may be easier to have more bottles to reduce the time spent washing bottles. Bottle costs range depending upon the material of the bottle. Bottle options on the market include plastic, silicone, glass, and stainless steel. Glass bottles are a more expensive option, but some new parents love them for their sustainability and reduced chemicals from plastic bottles. However, there are many great plastic options that are free from BPA and other chemicals.
- Different types of bottles: your baby may prefer different bottles and sometimes it takes time to find the right bottle for your baby. The best bottles for your baby may need to be anti-colic, or they may prefer a certain type of bottle nipple like a wide neck.
Some breastfed babies may refuse bottles which leads to many different bottle purchases. Check out 12 Best Bottles for Breastfed Babies Who Refuse a Bottle (2022) for the best recommendations of bottles to try for breastfed babies. The best choice for one baby may not be the same as yours!
If you’re currently struggling with bottle refusal or want to learn more about nipple confusion and ways to prevent bottle refusal, check out my post 12 Best Tips for Overcoming Bottle Refusal.
How Many Baby Bottles Do I Need if Using Baby Formula?
This answer is very similar to a mother who is exclusively pumping breast milk. And also the things to consider when purchasing baby bottles listed above.
Anywhere from 10-14 bottles is a good idea for formula-fed babies. Since in the first week of life, your baby will take at least 8 bottles. Older babies may take larger bottles with a greater amount of formula, so the number of baby bottles you need may change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Both Breastfeed and Bottle Feed?
Of course! Your baby may switch back and forth from breastfeeding and bottle feeding at any time. You can even give breast milk and supplement with formula. This is called combination feeding.
I am a huge advocate and educator for breastfeeding, but I’m also a huge advocate in doing what’s best for YOU and your baby.
Do I Need Bottles if I Plan on Breastfeeding?
Not always! This depends on how you plan to breastfeed. If you plan to ever be away from your baby (even for a very short period of time), you will definitely need bottles to make sure your baby has milk while you are gone.
As a nurse mama, I tend to always think ahead. I recommend keeping at least one bottle at home just in case you ever need to be away from your baby in an unanticipated situation.
How Often Should You Bottle Feed While Breastfeeding?
This depends on a few different factors. Will you be going back to work? Are you planning on date nights with your partner? If you plan to give your baby bottles while breastfeeding, introduce bottles once a day about 3-4 weeks after your baby is born. This is to ensure breastfeeding is established.
You don’t have to give your baby bottles every day if you wish to just exclusively nurse your baby. You can go months and never give your baby a bottle!
Just take caution doing this, because if you plan to ever give your baby a bottle you want to make sure it isn’t foreign to them and they know how to take it.
Is 4 Bottles Enough for a Newborn?
If you are planning to mostly breastfeed your baby, then yes four bottles will be enough for a newborn.
However, if you’re planning to supplement, exclusively pump, or feed your infant formula then you will need more than four bottles. Unless you plan to wash after every feed, which would be really challenging to do as new parents with a brand new baby!
Can You Use Big Bottles for Newborns?
You can use the larger bottles for newborns. However, the reason smaller 4-ounce bottles are recommended is because of the milk flow from the artificial nipple. Smaller newborn bottles have a slow flow nipple which is beneficial for many reasons. It prevents your baby from taking in too much milk and choking and also helps to prevent bottle preference in a breastfed baby.
The recommended age to transition to larger bottles is around four months of age when your baby is bigger and taking larger quantities of milk. With all that being said, you can definitely start with the larger bottles and just replace the artificial nipples with slow flow nipples compatible with your bottles when your baby is a newborn.
If your baby is also fed at the breast, you can keep the slow flow nipples on the entire time your baby takes bottles to prevent bottle preference over the breast.
If your baby will be formula-fed, you can switch the artificial nipples back to their original size that came with the bottles as they grow. This may be a more cost-effective option and save you space in your cabinets!
How Many Baby Bottles Do I Need for Daycare?
You can start by sending your baby’s bottles they usually take in a day, plus an extra. If your baby is mostly breastfeeding, count the number of nursing sessions they have in the hours of time you will be gone. Send that many bottles plus 1-2 bottles with extra milk.
Check-in with your daycare provider the first few days to determine if your baby is getting enough milk.
And head over to my post on the 25 Best Cooler Bags for Traveling with Breast Milk for amazing cooler options for taking bottles to daycare and from work!
How Many Bottles Should a Newborn Have in 24 Hours?
Regardless of if your baby is getting breast milk or infant formula, newborn babies should have 8 to 12 feeds in 24 hours. If your baby is taking formula, you can start by offering 1-2 ounces every 2-3 hours. And if your baby is nursing at the breast, feed on demand (anytime your baby is hungry or rooting) or at least 8-12 times in a 24 hour period.
Should I Buy Bottles Before Baby is Born?
If you are planning to formula feed, your baby’s first bottle will be right after birth. So you should definitely buy bottles before your baby is born.
If you are planning to breastfeed, health care providers recommend not giving your baby their first bottle for about 3-4 weeks. You want to be sure you have a solid breastfeeding relationship before introducing a bottle.
If your baby latches well right away and you have good milk production, I’ve found bottles can be introduced at any time.
How Many Bottles Should I Buy Before Baby is Born?
I recommend in either scenario, whether breastfeeding or formula feeding, not to purchase too many bottles before your baby is born.
You may decide you like Dr. Brown bottles, but your baby may not like them or take them. Now you’ve spent a bunch of money on ten bottles your baby won’t even drink from.
Register for or purchase a few different bottles to start and see which one your baby likes best. Once you find the right bottle that fits your baby’s needs and yours, then you can purchase more.
However you decide to feed your baby, you are the perfect mama for your baby! What might work for one mama may not work for you. In motherhood, find what works best for you and your baby and feel confident you’re doing the best you can.
As a mama and nurse, my dream is to make mom life a little bit easier for new moms out there. So let me know in the comments if there’s anything else you need help with!
Other Posts You May Like:
- 12 Best Bottles for Breastfed Babies Who Refuse a Bottle (2022)
- 12 Best Tips for Overcoming Bottle Refusal
- 25 Best Cooler Bags for Traveling with Breast Milk
- Complete Guide for How Often to Replace Your Breast Pump Parts
