It is normal for a parent to experience a gamut of emotions, ranging from happiness to concern to uncertainty to fear when they think about their bundle of joy. And while the first month goes by quickly, getting used to the new addition in the family, the question that troubles most parents in the second month (especially first-time parents) is how much should their 2-month-old baby eat?

Well, the truth is there is no fixed formula on the number of times you should feed a baby every day. It varies for each baby depending on how old they are, how much they weigh, and their appetite. This article presents a few general guidelines and pointers on the quantity and frequency of feeds for a baby.

General Guidelines for a Baby's Diet

1. Average milk consumption of babies

Though there is no set standard on how much a 2-month-old baby should eat, here is a general guideline for the average milk consumption of a baby at different ages:

• Infants usually consume about 1.5-3 ounces (45-90 milliliters) of milk every 2-3 hours because their stomachs are very small and cannot hold a lot of a milk at one time.

• A 2-month-old baby may consume 4-5 ounces (120-150 milliliters) of milk, every 3-4 hours.

• For a 4-month-old baby, the average consumption will vary depending on the number of feeds and his/her height and weight, but they may drink around 4-6 ounces (120-180 milliliters) at every feed.

• A 6-month-old baby generally drinks 6-8 ounces (180-230 milliliters) every 4-5 hours. However, if you are giving your baby mashed food as well, the amount of milk they drink and the number of feeds will vary accordingly.

If your baby is very young or underweight for their age, you should feed him or her more often, even if it means that you have to wake them from their sleep. It is better to consult your pediatrician about how many times should your baby be fed as well, just to make sure you have the right information.

2. When should you feed your baby?

You should usually feed your baby on demand which is whenever your baby shows signs that he or she is hungry.

Some of the common indicators that a baby is hungry are:

• drawing lips together into a sucking motion
• sucking on hands, fingers, or fists
• moving head towards your finger if you pat his or her cheek (the rooting reflex)
• moving the head from side to side
• putting tongue out
• gently opening his or her mouth
• snuggling close to the mother's breasts
• stretching or yawning
• crying

People generally believe that a baby begins to cry the minute it is hungry, but the truth is, crying is a much later signal of hunger, usually occurring when the baby is very disturbed. Note that hunger is not the only reason a baby cries - they could be over-excited, tired, hot, cold, or may just need attention like a warm hug or a diaper change.

Is Your Baby Getting Enough Milk?

There is no standard rate of growth for babies, but if you are worried that your baby may not be getting the nutrition needed for proper development, look for the following signs:

• Change of Diapers: Your baby should have at least six wet diapers and three bowel movements every day. A wet diaper with orange crystals could be an indication that your baby is not getting enough fluid.

• Feeding Schedule: Your baby should be feeding anywhere between 8-12 times a day.

• Weight: Babies usually gain around 1/2-1 ounce each day during the first three months of life.

Why Does Your Baby Spit-up After a Feed?

Should you worry about spit up?

You may notice that sometimes after a feed or when burping your baby, he/she spits up a little of the ingested milk. If your baby spits up no more than an ounce (30 ml) and/or if it happens within an hour of feeding, then it is considered quite common and natural.

However, visit your doctor if your baby is:

• spitting up large amounts of milk
• spitting up forcefully
• cranky during or after eating
• not gaining weight or losing weight

If your infant has a fever or seems dehydrated, inform your doctor immediately.

Some ways to reduce spitting up

As a parent, you can follow the tips below that have proven to be helpful in lessening the instances of a baby spitting up:

• Try to feed your baby before he/she gets very hungry.

• Hold your baby at a slight angle rather than in a horizontal position during nursing and for some time after eating.

• Never overfeed your baby by pushing him or her to drink more than they want as that can cause excessive spit-up.

• Always burp your baby after a feed.

• Avoid playing or moving the baby for some time after feeding.

Bottom Line

There is no official data on how much your 2-month-old baby should eat. Each baby is different, and a lot of factors affect a baby's appetite. How much a baby eats can vary on daily basis.

Remember - these are just guidelines. They are not rules, so the best way to give your baby the necessary nourishment is by looking for signals that your baby is hungry and feeding on demand.