Breast milk is the only food a baby needs until solids are introduced around age 6 months. Breast milk contains all the essential nutrients a 2-month-old requires for healthy growth and development, according to MedlinePlus, a website published by the National Institutes of Health. Formulas will suffice when mothers are unable to breastfeed or prefer to bottle feed their babies. A baby's weight will factor into how much milk or formula is needed at 2 months.
How Much and How Often
Babies need about 2.5 oz. of formula or breast milk per pound of weight daily, explains FamilyDoctor.org, a website published by the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Since the average weight of a 2-month old is in the neighborhood of 11 pounds, 27.5 oz. of breast milk or formula is needed each day.
Most babies at 2 months are happy to give up the eight to 12 feedings of early infancy for six to eight feedings a day. A 2-month-old generally will drink more milk during each feeding, so she won't need to feed as often and might sleep longer at night. Formula-fed babies might require fewer feedings since formula takes longer to digest than breast milk.
Hunger Cues
Crying and fussing are perhaps the most obvious signs that a 2-month-old is hungry, although it also might indicate a dirty diaper or a desire to be held and cuddled. Stretching along with lip and sucking movements are more subtle hints that it's time for a feeding. Irritability and fussiness after a feeding could mean your 2-month-old isn't getting enough to eat. A baby's nutritional needs probably are being met if she is gaining weight and growing and developing normally.
Considerations
The number of daily bowel movements might drop off as a baby settles into infancy. A 2-month-old might not have a bowel movement after every feeding or every day for that matter, explains Kidshealth.org, a website published by the Nemours Foundation. Notify your doctor if your infant has not had a soiled diaper in three days.
Outlook
Rest assured that most 2-month-olds know how much breast milk or formula their little bodies need. Signs that your baby is getting enough to eat include a good disposition, healthy skin tone, six to eight wet diapers in 24 hours and sufficient weight gain. Talk to your doctor if your baby doesn't seem interested in feedings or you have other concerns.
References
- University of Michigan Health System; Feeding Your Baby and Toddler...;September 2010
- MayoClinic.com; Feeding Your Newborn...;October 2010
- KIdsHealth.org: Feeding Your 1 to 3 Month Old
- American Academy of Family Physicians; Infant Formula; June 2010
- MedlinePlus; Infant and Newborn Nutrition; August 2011
- InfantChart.com: Weight for Age
