All babies are different. As such, it can be so confusing. You have to figure so many things out, including the feeding schedule. How often would your baby want to eat? You have to prepare for that because breastfeeding takes energy. If this is not your first baby, you’d also wonder if the schedule will be like when you were raising your previous baby. You have to know the answers to prepare yourself and provide your baby with the nutrition that they need.
We are here to help you. Continue reading to find a 1-2 month-old feeding schedule sample and a handful of relevant tips.
1 to 2-Month-Old Baby Sample Feeding Schedule
One thing you need to keep in mind is that feeding schedules are different for breastfed babies and formula-fed babies. Babies digest breast milk faster than formula. Therefore, you need to feed them more frequently.
We understand that it is tempting to take the formula-feeding route. Fewer feeding sessions will give you more time to rest. However, please note that the AAP recommends feeding your baby with breastmilk only until they are 6-months-old. We recommend following this advice even if it will make you busier. It is worth it because it is better for your baby's health.
Here's a sample two-month-old feeding pattern you can copy:
6 AM - Breastfeed for 10 to 20 minutes on each breast. After that, you may want to get back to sleep or eat your breakfast. Aim to consume 450-500 extra calories in your meals. It ensures you get the nutrients that you need for breastfeeding.
9 AM - Breastfeed again. Breastfeed on each breast for 10 to 20 minutes.
12 PM - Breastfeed for 10 to 20 minutes on each side. Then, have a healthy lunch. Afterwards, we suggest taking a stroll outside.
3 PM - Breastfeed again, then take a nap with your baby.
6 PM - Breastfeed and then have dinner. After some moments, put your baby to bed.
9 PM - Breastfeed once more. Then, put your baby back to sleep. You should also get back to sleep.
12 AM - Breastfeed again.
3 AM - This is the last feeding of the night. You can sleep for the rest of the night.
Please remember to listen to your baby's hunger cues. Feed them when they are giving you signals.
How Much Should a 1 to 2 Months Old Baby Eat
It will only take a few ounces of milk or formula to make your baby full. As such, they will be feeding often. As they get older, it will take more ounces to make them full. Following the same logic, feedings will then be less frequent.
Here's how much newborn babies eat:
|
Age |
Average Amount of Milk per Feeding |
|
Newborn |
1 - 2 ounces |
|
1 month |
2 - 3 ounces |
|
2 months |
3 - 4 ounces |
|
3 months |
4 - 5 ounces |
|
4 months |
4 - 6 ounces |
|
6+ months |
7 - 8 ounces |
3 Tips for Feeding Your 1 to 2 Month Old Baby
All moms are excited to care for their newborns. It feels fulfilling. But you can’t deny that it is also challenging. That is especially true when it comes to feeding. You need to provide them with the right nutrition to thrive. Here are three tips to help you establish a healthy feeding routine during these early months:
1. Follow Your Baby’s Hunger Cues
The sample feeding schedule that we have provided above is not a one-size-fits-all type of thing. You should not follow it, or other feeding schedules, to a tee. That is like that because newborns do not have an actual set schedule.
So, how do you know if you have to feed your baby? You can look for hunger cues. Check if your baby is sucking on their hands or smacking their lips. Those are hunger cues. Crying is also a hunger cue, but it is a late sign. It is best to feed your baby before they start to cry to prevent stress for everyone.
Breastfed babies typically eat every 2-3 hours, while formula-fed babies may go slightly longer between feeds. Watch your baby rather than the clock, and trust their instincts to guide feeding frequency.
2. Focus on Proper Feeding Techniques
Proper positioning helps your baby get all the nutrition that they need. When breastfeeding, ensure your baby has a deep latch to avoid discomfort and promote efficient feeding. When bottle-feeding, hold the bottle at an angle to prevent air bubbles. Furthermore, you should pace the feeding to mimic the natural flow of breastfeeding, as that is what babies are used to.
Burp your baby during and after feeds to prevent gas and fussiness. You can gently pat their back while holding them upright to do so. It helps release trapped air.
3. Track Their Growth and Satisfaction
A well-fed baby is usually content and shows steady growth. Monitor diaper output as a sign of adequate feeding. Expect around 6-8 wet diapers a day and regular bowel movements.
Growth spurts are common at this age. As a result, your baby may suddenly want to eat more frequently. This is their way of signaling a need for extra nourishment. Stay flexible and adjust as needed.
Basics of Night Feeding a 1 to 2-Month-Old Baby
Night feedings are a common part of life with a 1 to 2-month-old baby. At this stage, your baby’s tiny stomach can only hold a small amount of milk. That said, the milk you fed them before sleeping will not last through the entire night. You will have to wake up and feed them again.
Here are some basics to help make nighttime feedings smoother and more manageable:
1. Understand Your Baby’s Needs
Babies this age typically need to eat every 2-4 hours. That means you have to do night feedings since that stays true even at nighttime. Your baby may wake up naturally when hungry but in some situations, you have to gently wake them up.
2. Create a Comfortable Feeding Environment
Keep the room dim and quiet during night feedings to help your baby distinguish between day and night. Use a soft night light instead of turning on bright lights, and speak in a soothing tone to maintain a calm atmosphere.
3. Prepare in Advance
Having everything ready can save time and reduce stress. If you're bottle-feeding, pre-measure formula or have bottles of expressed milk in the fridge. For breastfeeding, set up a cozy nursing area with a supportive chair, water for yourself, and burp cloths within reach.
4. Focus on Proper Burping
After the feeding session, burp your baby by holding them upright and gently patting their back. Burping is crucial to prevent discomfort from trapped gas. Babies feel uncomfortable when they are gassy. That may make it hard for them to go back to sleep.
Tips and Tools for Feeding Your 1 to 2-Month-Old Baby
Here are some tips and tools that will make breastfeeding your 1 - 2 month-old baby easier.
Use a Nursing Pillow
Nursing pillows are pillows that are specially designed to make breastfeeding easier. Using these pillows has many benefits. It provides back support and keeps your posture right while breastfeeding. If you had a Caesarian operation, doing so ensures you wouldn't strain yourself, allowing for fast recovery. Also, it props your child up to relieve them of reflux.
The Momcozy Multifunctional and Adjustable Nursing Pillow is an excellent option. It features adjustable straps and widened sides to provide you with more comprehensive arm support.
Bottle Washer
Feedings for 1-month-old and 2-month-old babies are very frequent. That means you have to clean feeding bottles very often, too. An efficient bottle washer will help you save time and lighten your workload.
Check the Momcozy Baby Bottle Washer and Sterilizer, which automatically washes, sterilizes, dries, and stores baby bottles. You can also use it for pump parts and baby tableware! It offers 26 powerful spray jets, a multidirectional cleaning system, and 4 modes that ensure thorough, spot-free cleaning every time.
FAQs About 1 to 2 Months Old Baby Feeding Schedule
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding one or two-month-old feeding schedules.
How Long Should a 2-Month-Old Go Between Feedings?
Normally, 2-month-old babies are able to go 2 - 4 hours between feedings. It will take some time before their little tummies can digest the milk you have given them. Also, please note that it depends on how much milk they have consumed. If they didn't eat much, expect the next feeding to be sooner.
How Often Should You Feed a 2-Month-Old Baby?
According to the AAP, your baby will want to eat 4 to 5 ounces every three to four hours. You should feed them whenever they want to. Do not let your baby stay hungry for long. Look for hunger cues to know when it is time to do so.
Should I Wake Up My 2-Month-Old to Feed at Night?
Suppose your baby is in good health. You should not wake them up for nighttime feeding. Let them enjoy a good night’s sleep. However, in some scenarios, waking them up is necessary. Let’s say your baby sleeps more during the day than at night. They might have missed some of their daytime feeding sessions. Another scenario is if your baby has gone over 4 hours without eating during the day.
How Much Should a 2-Month-Old Weigh?
The average weight of babies at 2 months is 12 lb 4 oz or 5.6 kg for males and 11 lb 5 oz or 5.1 kg for females. Your newborn’s weight may be close or far from these weights. Do not use that as a sign of being overweight or underweight. It simply reflects their unique position on the weight spectrum.
Conclusion
Remember that there is no definitive 2-month-old feeding schedule. How often you have to feed your baby varies depending on different factors. One big factor is your feeding method. Suppose you are breastfeeding. You will have to feed your baby more often than formula-feeding moms. On top of that, the frequency might change based on how much milk your baby has eaten. That said, you should not stick to a strict schedule. Instead, you should follow your baby’s hunger cues.
Your baby’s needs will make you very busy. You will be forced to wake up several times during the night to feed them. It could stress you out. To prevent that, we recommend using tools that will make the journey easier. As mentioned earlier, nursing pillows and bottle cleaners are some examples. These help reduce the tasks that you need to do or provide you with support.
