Losing the scoop from a can of baby formula is incredibly easy to do, especially when you’re running on little to no sleep. If you lost yours and you’re wondering how much is a scoop of formula, we’ve assembled the data you need to measure your baby’s formula correctly without a scoop.
Every brand of formula uses a slightly different measurement for their scoop, but most are about 3.5 teaspoons. Without the scoop, the formula can be measured as a rounded tablespoon or about 3 grams of weight. If you have a kitchen scale and the formula container, it is best to weigh out the appropriate amount for your serving size.
To find out what you can do if you don’t have the scoop – including a great reason to buy that scale you’ve been eyeing – and a just-this-once substitute using a tablespoon, keep reading.
Table of Contents
How much is a scoop of formula?
Whether you’re a new parent or a seasoned parent with a new baby, there’s a lot for you to keep track of. It’s no wonder items such as the formula scoop sometimes get lost. If this does happen, there are ways for you to properly measure your baby’s formula using a kitchen scale. However, before you start guessing how much formula to use, it’s important to make sure you get as close to the correct measurement as possible.
Each formula brand may have a slightly different measurement, but most formula scoops hold 3.5 teaspoons. For your reference, we’ve included the measurements for some of the most popular formula brands so you can make your baby a bottle in a pinch.
How many ounces is a scoop of formula?
The amount of formula in a scoop is so small that it’s difficult to measure in ounces, but all of the scoop sizes I found ranged from 8.7 grams to 9.8 grams, which are both roughly one-third of an ounce. Due to the minute differences in scoop sizes, your scale may not be precise enough to adequately show the weight of the formula in ounces.
If you have to use ounces rather than scoops or grams, you may be able to convert the weight to the final number amount of formula required per bottle, rather than by individual scoop. For example, a six-ounce bottle will use three scoops of formula; for an 8.7-gram scoop, the final amount of formula needed is 26.1 grams or .92 ounces.
How many grams of formula are in a scoop?
Most manufacturers include the formula portion size (per 2 ounces of water) in grams on either the packaging or their website.
If you have a kitchen scale that measures to the tenth of a gram (like this one), you can use this as an accurate substitute for the provided scoop. Although there is a relatively wide range of scoop sizes, most standard lines – the ones that are not formulated to address a specific concern or to be dairy-free – are 8.7-8.8 grams.
How to measure baby formula without a scoop
Shortly after we started leaving my first child with my in-laws, I had the great idea to portion out a whole day’s worth of formula into a small container instead of making up a bunch of bottles and risking spilling them everywhere on the way to grandma’s house. I carefully measured out enough for several bottles and delivered everything – baby, diapers, several changes of clothes, toys, formula – with a smile.
Less than an hour later I got a call asking me where the scoop was. In my excitement, I had supplied exactly enough formula for four 4-ounce bottles and no way to portion it.
If you have lost your formula scoop but still have the can, you may be in luck. Most cans of formula include the amount of powder needed per 2 fluid ounces of water on the label. If it is not listed there, most manufacturers will include that information on the directions for use on their website.
Generally, you will find that most brands use about 3.5 teaspoons or 3 grams of formula per serving (for a 2-ounce bottle). This usually equates to a rounded tablespoon, but the safest and most reliable option is to weigh the formula if you don’t have a scoop.
I have included the measurements for many popular brands of formula below, but if the one you need is not there, you may be able to find it by visiting either the brand’s website or major retailer (I had the best luck with the Walmart and Amazon websites).
Depending on the contents of the label, you may be able to find the correct serving size by dividing the amount of product by the number of servings in the container. Most manufacturers indicate that the powder will add .2oz to each 2oz portion of water, which could make the math difficult.
Overall, this method may end up being more convoluted and difficult than practical.
Measuring formula with a measuring spoon
Without the correct manufacturer-supplied scoop, your first reaction is probably to find the next closest thing in your kitchen: a measuring spoon.
Although that ½ teaspoon in your drawer probably looks very close to your missing scoop, it’s just a bit too small to match even the smallest portion size, and the differences between scoop sizes mean that using such an imprecise tool will lead to widely varied portions.
Measuring formula with a kitchen scale
If you have lost your scoop, your best option is to pull out your handy kitchen scale (like this one here).
Of course, I realize that not everyone has a scale on hand, but the manufacturer has determined the nutritionally correct portion for your baby down to a tenth of a gram – that’s about five grains of rice – and varying from that recipe over the long term can have serious repercussions, especially if you are under portioning.
How Much Formula Per Scoop by Brand, Weight, and Volume
| Formula Brand | Formula Type | Grams Per Scoop | Ounces Per Scoop | Tablespoons Per Scoop | Tablespoons Per 6 oz bottle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Similac | Advance | 8.7 | 0.306883 | 0.58 | 3.48 |
| Similac | NeoSure | 9.6 | 0.33863 | 0.64 | 3.84 |
| Similac | Sensitive | 8.3 | 0.292774 | 0.5533 | 3.3198 |
| Enfamil | Infant | 8.8 | 0.310411 | 0.5866 | 3.5196 |
| Enfamil | Gentlease | 8.7 | 0.306883 | 0.58 | 3.48 |
| Enfamil | Sensitive | 8.9 | 0.313938 | 0.5933 | 3.5598 |
| Enfamil | Enspire | 8.8 | 0.310411 | 0.5866 | 3.5196 |
| Enfamil | Reguline | 8.7 | 0.306883 | 0.58 | 3.48 |
| Enfamil | A.R. | 9 | 0.317466 | 0.6 | 3.6 |
| Enfamil | EnfaCare | 9.8 | 0.345685 | 0.65 | 3.9198 |
| Parent's Choice | Infant | 8.8 | 0.310411 | 0.5866 | 3.5196 |
| Parent's Choice | Gentle | 8.9 | 0.313938 | 0.5933 | 3.5598 |
| Parent's Choice | Sensitivity | 9 | 0.317466 | 0.6 | 3.6 |
| Parent's Choice | Advantage | 8.8 | 0.310411 | 0.5866 | 3.5196 |
| Parent's Choice | Soy | 8.9 | 0.313938 | 0.5933 | 3.5598 |
| Parent's Choice | Complete Comfort | 9 | 0.317466 | 0.6 | 3.6 |
| Gerber Good Start | Gentle | 8.7 | 0.306883 | 0.58 | 3.48 |
| Gerber Good Start | Soothe | 8.7 | 0.306883 | 0.58 | 3.48 |
| Gerber Good Start | Comforting Probiotics | 8.7 | 0.306883 | 0.58 | 3.48 |
| Gerber Good Start | Soy | 8.9 | 0.313938 | 0.5933 | 3.5598 |
| Earth's Best (Infant) | Dairy | 8.7 | 0.306883 | 0.58 | 3.48 |
| Earth's Best (Infant) | Gentle | 8.7 | 0.306883 | 0.58 | 3.48 |
| Earth's Best (Infant) | Organic Sensitivity | 8.7 | 0.306883 | 0.58 | 3.48 |
| Earth's Best (Infant) | Non-DHA | 8.9 | 0.313938 | 0.5933 | 3.5598 |
| Happy Baby Organics | Stage 1 | 8.9 | 0.313938 | 0.5933 | 3.5598 |
| Happy Baby Organics | Sensitive | 9 | 0.317466 | 0.60 | 3.6 |
| Happy Baby Organics | Stage 2 | 9 | 0.317466 | 0.60 | 3.6 |
| Up & Up | Advantage | 8.8 | 0.310411 | 0.5866 | 3.5196 |
| Up & Up | Gentle | 8.9 | 0.313938 | 0.60 | 3.6 |
| Up & Up | Sensitivity | 8.8 | 0.310411 | 0.5866 | 3.5196 |
| Up & Up | Infant Non-GMO | 9 | 0.317466 | 0.60 | 3.6 |
| Kirkland Signature | ProCare | 8.8 | 0.310411 | 0.5866 | 3.5196 |
How much is a scoop of Similac formula?
Depending on the line of Similac formula you use, there are major differences in the sizes of the scoops within the brand.
- Similac Advance – 8.7 grams per scoop or approximately 3 ½ tablespoons* per six-ounce bottle
- Similac Sensitive – 9.6 grams per scoop or approximately 3 ¾ tablespoons* per six-ounce bottle
- Similac NeoSure – 8.3 grams per scoop or approximately 3 ⅓ tablespoons* per six-ounce bottle
*Tablespoon measurements are approximated for six ounces of water (3 scoops) and should not be used as a substitute for the correct scoop except in an emergency.
How much is a scoop of Enfamil formula?
Enfamil has a wide range of formula types available. Be sure to check your can to ensure you’re using the correct measurement.
- Enfamil Infant – 8.8 grams or approximately 3 ½ tablespoons* per six-ounce bottle
- Enfamil Gentlease – 8.7 grams or approximately 3 ½ tablespoons* per six-ounce bottle
- Enfamil Sensitive – 8.9 grams or 3 tablespoons plus a heaping ½ tablespoon* per six-ounce bottle
- Enfamil Enspire – 8.8 grams or approximately 3 ½ tablespoons* per six-ounce bottle
- Enfamil Reguline – 8.7 grams or approximately 3 ½ tablespoons* per six-ounce bottle
- Enfamil A.R. – 9 grams or 3 ⅔ tablespoons* per 6-ounce bottle
- Enfamil EnfaCare – 9.8 grams or nearly 4 tablespoons* per six-ounce bottle
*Tablespoon measurements are approximated for six ounces of water (3 scoops) and should not be used as a substitute for the correct scoop except in an emergency.
How much is a scoop of Gerber formula?
Unless you use the soy-based Gerber formula, you may be in luck. Gerber is one of the few brands that has a standard scoop size across its lines, so if you happen to have the scoop from a different Gerber can, you can use that one.
- Gerber Good Start Gentle – 8.7 grams or approximately 3 ½ tablespoons* per six-ounce bottle
- Gerber Good Start GentlePro – 8.7 grams or approximately 3 ½ tablespoons* per six-ounce bottle
- Gerber Good Start Soothe – 8.7 grams or approximately 3 ½ tablespoons* per six-ounce bottle
- Gerber Good Start Comforting Probiotics – 8.7 grams or approximately 3 ½ tablespoons* per six-ounce bottle
- Gerber Good Start Soy – 8.9 grams or approximately 3 tablespoons plus a heaping tablespoon* per 6-ounce bottle
*Tablespoon measurements are approximated for six ounces of water (3 scoops) and should not be used as a substitute for the correct scoop except in an emergency.
How much is a scoop of Earth’s Best formula?
Earth’s Best is another brand that has a standard size scoop across its dairy-based infant line so you can use most of the scoops across the brand.
- Earth’s Best Dairy Infant – 8.7 grams or approximately 3 ½ tablespoons* per six-ounce bottle
- Earth’s Best Sensitivity – 8.7 grams or approximately 3 ½ tablespoons* per six-ounce bottle
- Earth’s Best Gentle Infant – 8.7 grams or approximately 3 ½ tablespoons* per six-ounce bottle
- Earth’s Best DHA-Free – 8.9 grams or approximately 3 tablespoons plus a heaping tablespoon* per 6-ounce bottle
*Tablespoon measurements are approximated for six ounces of water (3 scoops) and should not be used as a substitute for the correct scoop except in an emergency.
How much is a scoop of Happy Baby Organics formula?
Happy Baby Organics has a relatively small range of options, but it is worth noting that the scoop changes from the Stage 1 size (0-12 months) to Stage 2 (6-12 months).
- Happy Baby Organics Stage 1 – 8.9 grams or approximately 3 tablespoons plus a heaping tablespoon* per 6-ounce bottle
- Happy Baby Organics Sensitive – 9.0 grams or 3 ⅔ tablespoons* per 6-ounce bottle
- Happy Baby Organics Stage 2 – 9.0 grams or 3 ⅔ tablespoons* per 6-ounce bottle
*Tablespoon measurements are approximated for six ounces of water (3 scoops) and should not be used as a substitute for the correct scoop except in an emergency.
How much is a scoop of Up & Up formula?
Target’s house brand Up & Up uses similar sizes to the national brands, but the different lines of formula do not necessarily use the same size scoop as each other.
- Up & Up Advantage – 8.8 grams or approximately 3 ½ tablespoons* per six-ounce bottle
- Up & Up Gentle – 8.9 grams or approximately 3 tablespoons* plus a heaping tablespoon per 6-ounce bottle
- Up & Up Sensitivity – 9 grams or 3 ⅔ tablespoons* per 6-ounce bottle
- Up & Up Infant Non-GMO – 8.8 grams or approximately 3 ½ tablespoons* per six-ounce bottle
*Tablespoon measurements are approximated for six ounces of water (3 scoops) and should not be used as a substitute for the correct scoop except in an emergency.
How much is a scoop of Parent’s Choice formula?
Walmart’s Parent’s Choice brand offers a wide variety of affordably priced formula lines with similarly sized scoops, but they are not interchangeable.
- Parent’s Choice Infant – 8.8 grams or approximately 3 ½ tablespoons* per six-ounce bottle
- Parent’s Choice Gentle – 8.9 grams or approximately 3 tablespoons plus a heaping tablespoon* per 6-ounce bottle
- Parent’s Choice Sensitivity – 9 grams or 3 ⅔ tablespoons* per 6-ounce bottle
- Parent’s Choice Advantage – 8.8 grams or approximately 3 ½ tablespoons* per six-ounce bottle
- Parent’s Choice Complete Comfort – 9 grams or 3 ⅔ tablespoons* per 6-ounce bottle
- Parent’s Choice Soy – 8.9 grams or approximately 3 tablespoons plus a heaping tablespoon* per 6-ounce bottle
*Tablespoon measurements are approximated for six ounces of water (3 scoops) and should not be used as a substitute for the correct scoop except in an emergency.
How much is a scoop of Kirkland Signature formula?
Although Costco’s Kirkland Signature brand only makes one type of formula, it is a popular option with the warehouse store’s members.
- Kirkland Signature ProCare – 8.8 grams or approximately 3 ½ tablespoons* per six-ounce bottle
*Tablespoon measurements are approximated for six ounces of water (3 scoops) and should not be used as a substitute for the correct scoop except in an emergency.
What happens if I use the wrong amount of formula?
Each can of formula, no matter the brand or line, comes with a dedicated scoop for portioning out the correct amount of powder for a set amount of water (typically 2 fluid ounces). This is because the balance of vitamins, minerals, nutrients and amount of water necessary to keep your baby hydrated have been carefully researched and formulated.
Using more or less formula in your baby’s bottle than called for, particularly over an extended period of time, can lead to major nutritional deficiencies and developmental problems, or even stroke, seizure, or death.
Although you are unlikely to cause significant harm with a couple of feedings, especially if the difference is minor, it is important to return to using the correct scoop as soon as possible.
Are all formula scoops the same size?
All formula scoops are not the same size, and should not be used interchangeably, even within the same brand. If you are using the generic or store brand of a national brand of baby formula, the scoops still may not be the same size as the comparable alternative.
Many scoops are even similar sizes and may appear the same, but vary by tenths of a gram. This may not seem like a significant difference, but consider how many scoops you feed your baby over the course of the day. A three-month-old usually has 4-5 bottles a day and consumes 4-6 ounces per feeding, so we can say that he drinks 30 ounces of formula a day, or fifteen scoops.
If your measurement is over by only one-tenth of a gram (say you used the next closest scoop), then, by the end of the day, he has received 1.5 extra grams of formula. That may not seem like much, but it’s 17% more than his recommended daily consumption of the nutrients, minerals, and vitamins. That’s like you eating an extra 340 calories every day.
If, instead, you use a measuring spoon as the closest substitute in your kitchen. You (correctly) think that the ½ tablespoon is the closest size to your missing Similac Advance scoop and use that in its place for an entire day. By the end of the day, your baby has received just over 1 tablespoon – or more than 12% – less nutrition than expected.
Takeaway
Losing the scoop that goes with your baby’s formula happens to the best of us. If you’re trying to make a bottle without the proper scoop, don’t just grab the first measuring spoon you see. Each formula brand has a slightly different size scoop, and many brands even have different measurements for different types of formula. When you need to make a bottle and don’t have time to get a new scoop or look for the missing one, your best option is to use a kitchen scale to measure out the correct portion. If you have concerns about how much your baby is eating, always be sure to talk to your child’s pediatrician.
