New parents often worry about whether they're feeding their infant the right amount of formula. How much formula an infant consumes depends on several factors and varies day by day, although most babies require a certain number of calories per day. Figuring out how much formula a 2-month-old needs depends on the particular 2-month-old, because there are no hard and fast rules.
Determining Factors
The most important determining factor for a 2-month-old's formula intake is his weight. A baby who receives no supplemental breast milk or solid food should take around 2 to 3 oz. of formula per pound of body weight over the course of the day, pediatrician and author Alan Greene states. The maximum amount of formula per day should not exceed 32 oz., Greene adds. The amount in each bottle will depend on how many bottles a day the baby takes. By 2 months, most babies take between six and eight bottles a day, Baby Center states, so the total amount should be divided by the number of bottles.
Supplementation
A baby who also breast-feeds will not need as much formula if he's receiving a supplemental bottle after each feeding, depending on how much breast milk he takes in at each feeding. Weighing the baby before and after the feeding, before changing his clothing or diaper, gives a reading of how much he receives at a breast-feeding. This amount should be subtracted from the total amount needed at each feeding. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends withholding solid foods for the first six months, so solid foods should not be given at 2 months.
Assessing Hydration
While knowing the baby's weight gives an idea of how much formula to offer, it's also important to assess his fluid intake by watching urine output. A 2-month-old should have five to six wet diapers per day. His skin should be firm, not loose, and the fontanel on the top of his head should be soft but not sunken.
Weight Gain
The average baby at 2 months gains about an ounce per day, or 2.2 lbs. per month for the first three months, KidsGrowth.com reports, but each individual baby's weight gain will vary. If the baby gains much more or much less, the pediatrician should check him out.
Contentment
A 2-month-old who isn't getting enough to eat may suck on her fingers or clothing between meals, act like she's still hungry after a feeding or cry to eat before the next feeding is due.
Overfeeding Signs
It's just as possible to overfeed a 2-month-old as it is to underfeed him. A baby who spits up large amounts after every feeding or whose stomach seems overly distended after each feeding may be getting too much formula. The baby may draw his legs up and fuss after meals, as though he has a stomachache.
