How much should a 2 month old eat? Most babies this age will eat every 2-4 hours which would equal 5-8 breastfeeding sessions, 20-30 ounces / 600-900 ml formula, or 20-25 ounces of breastmilk in a bottle. Learn more about your baby’s feeding needs in this article.
In this article:
How Much Should a 2-Month-Old Eat Every 24 Hours?
In a 24-hour period, 2 month old babies eat 5-8 breastfeeding sessions, 20-30 oz of formula, or 20-25 ounces of breastmilk in a bottle. Of course, these are averages and your baby might eat more or less than these amounts. Your baby’s weight gain and number of wet/dirty diapers are the best indicators they are eating enough. If you have any concerns, be sure to discuss them with your healthcare provider!
Is There a Growth Spurt at 2 Months Old?
Typically, there is NOT a growth spurt at this age, according to the USDA, however, every baby is unique and grows on their own timeline.
How Much Should a 2 Month Old Eat in Formula?
If you are feeding your baby formula, you can expect your baby to gradually increase how much they eat in each bottle as they grow. Once your baby starts becoming more active and mobile, they need a lot more than when they are newborns. Learn more about how much to feed your 2 month old in formula here:
How Often to Feed a Bottle
Most 2 month old babies drink a bottle of formula every 3 hours. However, if your baby has reflux, they might drink smaller bottles more frequently.
How Many Ounces (oz) in a Bottle of Formula
A typical bottle of formula at 2 months old is 4 to 5 ounces. There are a few babies this age who can drink 6 ounces at a time.
How Many ML in a Bottle of Formula
There are approximately 30 ml in one ounce, so a typical bottle of formula at this age contains 120 to 180 ml.
No matter how much your baby is capable of drinking at one time, keep in mind that some feedings might be bigger than others or come more frequently. Some babies, for example, “tank up” before bedtime known as “cluster feeding.” While some babies are highly predictable, eating the same amount each time, some babies are irregular by nature. This sometimes makes your 2 month old’s schedule more variable.
How Much Should a 2 Month Old Eat If Consuming Breast Milk or Breastfeeding?
If you are breastfeeding your 2 month old, hopefully, your milk supply is well-established by now. If not, be sure to talk to a lactation consultant who can help you. Learn more about how much to feed your 2 month old by breastfeeding here:
How Often Should Your Baby Breastfeed (Breastfeeding Frequency)
How often you breastfeed your 2 month old will depend on how much milk your breasts make and store at one time. In addition, it will depend on how much milk your baby can hold in their stomach. Most babies this age are breastfeeding every 2 to 3 hours. Again, if your baby is not doing exactly this, it doesn’t mean there is automatically a problem. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider or a lactation consultant if you have any concerns!
If your baby is not nursing very much during the day but is nursing every 2-3 hours at night, your baby might be reverse cycling. If that’s the case, you will want to gradually work toward more nursing during the day and only 2-3 times total at night.
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Breastfeeding Frequency by Age
How Many Ounces (oz) in a Bottle of Breastmilk
If you are offering any breastmilk in a bottle, you should know that bottles of breastmilk are smaller than bottles of formula. This is something I see misunderstood quite often.
How much should our 2 month old eat if they are drinking breast milk in a bottle?
Most 2 month olds are drinking 3-4 ounces of breast milk in a bottle. You might be interested in this milk calculator to help you set your bottle size. If your baby can only drink 2 ounces at a time, you will need to feed your baby more often.
How Many ML in a Bottle of Breastmilk
There are approximately 30 ml in one ounce, so a typical bottle of breast milk at this age contains 90 to 120 ml.
How Much Should a 2 Month Old Eat in Solid Food?
You should follow your doctor’s orders as far as what age to start offering solid food to your baby. At this age, we typically do NOT offer ANY solid food as milk is enough and very important for growth and development. Solid food can cause your baby to consume less milk which is not good for your baby. And, if you’re breastfeeding, it will negatively impact your milk supply.
How Much Should Babies Eat at All Ages?
You might be wondering how much your baby should eat as they get older. We have great news! We have an article just for you, How Much Should Your Baby Eat by Month.
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