Ah, babies. Lovely little people who poop and burp and spit up on you all day. At two months old, your baby is growing bigger by the minute, which means they're drinking a lot of milk. But just how much should they be chugging down? And what else do you need to know about feeding them?
The Basics
First things first: your two-month-old needs breast milk or formula for proper nutrition. They can't exactly brew themselves a pot of coffee yet, so it's up to you to provide sustenance.
At this age, most babies are eating every two to three hours during the day (and yes, probably waking up at night too). Expect them to take in around 24-32 ounces of breast milk or formula per day.
That might sound like A LOT OF MILK (it kind of is), but remember that little bellies can only hold so much at once. So instead of trying to get them full with each feed, aim for frequent smaller meals throughout the day.
Adjusting Formula
Is your baby crying constantly after feasting on their bottle? That could mean they're not tolerating their current formula well.
Talk with your pediatrician if you notice any concerning symptoms (aka anything out of the ordinary), but there are some general tips here regarding changing formulas:
- Give it time! Babies' digestive systems can take five days or more to adjust.
- Consider sensitive formulas marketed as "gentle" or "easy-to-digest."
- Don’t switch over too suddenly - gradually blend one part new formula into three parts old until fully transitioning onto new formula.
In extreme cases where allergies are suspected talk with a professional immediately.
Breastfeeding Frequency
Breast milk is always ready when baby demands it (none of that ‘I burned the pancakes’ chaos with breastmilk feeding). Instead of focusing on volume each feeding, ensure appropriate duration between feedings even when your tot isn't crying out for milk.
Here is a general timeline to expect how much and often you’ll be breastfeeding:
| Age | # of Feedings Per Day |
|---|---|
| Week 1-2 | 8-10 |
| Weeks 3-4 | 6-10 |
| Months One & Two | 5-8 |
(Remember, it’s okay if cycles differ some days.)
Please note that pumping or using formula does not make dads, foster parents or non-binary caregivers any less important nor the crucial role they play in caring giving to babies.
Signs Your Baby Is Eating Enough
Parents worry about this a lot - especially in those early postpartum months. With bottle fed infants it may seem straight forward but other behaviours indicate adequacy as well:
- Making adequate wet diapers (six plus per day)
- Making adequate bowel movements (three per day)
- Gaining weight as expected by pediatrician
- Feeding eight-to ten times in twenty four hours
Signs They May Need More Milk
If baby doesn’t sense full after receiving usual feed then hunger may still persist through an attempt at burping.
Cries do not necessarily mean lack-of-food-induced-hunger. Use attempts alternative soother methods like swaddling to identify whether food or learning comfort techniques are most efficient (after all: a happy parent means more calm environment for your kiddo too).
Factors That Affect How Much Milk A Baby Needs
It's true: every baby is different! But here are some things that might affect how much milk yours needs:
-
Body Weight - heavier-babies usually require higher amounts of nurishment
-
Fluctuations In Appetite - your baby could be hungrier on certain days. Don't worry too much about it.
-
Soothing Methods - Babies will begin to develop alternative ways of self-soothing over time, so don’t be alarmed if you see feeding changes based on this & try new approaches with a sense of calm.
As usual, the answers comes from being hyper aware and continually learning how to read their tiny cues.
Who To Call If You're Concerned
When in doubt ALWAYS consult with your pediatrician for infallible advice when uncertain or concerns arise. The thing is: they’ve advised parents through countless cases like these before.
It’s not uncommon that parent-customer quickly fill out those pediatricians’ waiting halls asking similar questions all day (LITERALLY!). It's because we want what is best for our babies ????
Summary
Feeding habits differ from baby-to-baby but remember to keep appropriate feed frequencies rather than force feedings.They grow up fast and eventually they'll tell us exactly how hungry they are!
Until then however rest assured that few things feels more amazing than having your wee little one snuggle in while breastfeeding!