Baby Formula Scoop Guide & Chart

When you buy powdered formula it should always come with a measuring scoop, so you can portion out the exact amount of powder you need for your baby’s feed.

But with everything else that’s going on with a newborn, from dealing with diaper changing tantrums to removing poop stains and organizing their ever expanding wardrobe, it can be easy to misplace the scoop.

So let’s take a look at how you can give your baby the right amount of formula every time, even if you don’t have a measuring scoop to hand.

How To Measure Formula Without A Scoop

The best way to measure out formula for your baby is of course by using the scoop provided with the product.

This will ensure you mix the formula in the correct ratio with your chosen water (tap, distilled, Nursery), so that your baby gets the exact amount of nutrients it needs per feed, and will also stop you wasting any expensive formula.

The next best alternative would be to buy a replacement like the one below, which costs $7.99 from Amazon.

However, if you can’t find your original scoop and need an immediate solution, everyone is likely to have at least one of the following reliable alternatives in their kitchen.

To accurately measure formula without a scoop you could use:

1. A Teaspoon
2. A Tablespoon
3. A Weighing Scale (the most accurate method)

How Much Is a Scoop Of Formula?

The first thing to be aware of is that each brand will likely have a slightly different measuring scoop.

Having said that, for the most popular brands in the USA, one scoop of formula is about 3.5 rounded teaspoons.

In terms of weight, you will find that most of the time one scoop of formula is between 8.7 grams to 9 grams.

How Many Tablespoons is 1 Scoop Of Formula?

If you happen to lose the measuring scoop that came with your baby formula there’s no need to worry.

This is because you can easily measure the correct amount of formula using something everyone has in their kitchen – a tablespoon.

And the conversion couldn’t be simpler, because it’s an easy one to one ratio.

So all you need to remember is that 1 scoop of baby formula is approximately 1 rounded tablespoon.

Formula Scoop Chart

To keep things as simple as possible for parents, the AAP state that most brands of baby formula have the same recipe.

This recipe is: 1 scoop of powder for every 2 ounces of water.

Based on this recipe, you can find the correct amount of formula you need for your baby’s bottle using the chart below:

How Many Scoops Of Formula For 1 oz

Typically, 1/2 scoop of powdered formula is needed for 1 oz of water.

How Many Scoops Of Formula For 2 oz

Typically, 1 scoop of powdered formula is needed for 2 oz of water.

How Many Scoops Of Formula For 3 oz

Typically, 1.5 scoop of powdered formula are needed for 3 oz of water.

How Many Scoops Of Formula For 4 oz

Typically, 2 scoops of powdered formula are needed for 4 oz of water.

How Many Scoops Of Formula For 5 oz

Typically, 2.5 scoops of powdered formula are needed for 5 oz of water.

How Many Scoops Of Formula For 6 oz

Typically, 3 scoops of powdered formula are needed for 6 oz of water.

How Many Scoops Of Formula For 7 oz

Typically, 3.5 scoops of powdered formula are needed for 7 oz of water.

How Many Scoops Of Formula For 8 oz

Typically, 4 scoops of powdered formula are needed for 8 oz of water.

How Many Scoops Of Formula For 6o mL

To calculate how much formula you need for a 60ml bottle, it’s best to first convert this into ounces using this formula:

• 1 ounce = 30 cubic centemeters (cc) = 30 milliliters (mL)

So 60mL of water is 2 oz in weight.

You therefore need 1 scoop of baby formula for a 60mL bottle.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it.

While it may be frustrating to lose your measuring scoop, there’s no reason why you can’t still measure out the correct amount of formula for your baby’s bottle.

It’s worth reiterating that it’s a good idea to try and get a replacement scoop within a day or two, because unless you have a very precise weighing scale, the 3 temporary options above will never be as accurate as a scoop itself.

This shouldn’t be a problem for a short while, but even if you’re only slightly off here and there, you don’t want to consistently give your baby the wrong amount of formula if you can avoid it.

Related: Your Must Have Baby & Toddler Feeding Guide