1 - 2 month old baby feeding schedule: How much should they eat?

While a 1 - 2 month old baby is typically still considered a newborn, you are likely settling more into your new role as a parent and caregiver. Hopefully, this means feeding has become a bit easier and perhaps a bit more predictable. At this age, babies will continue to drink breast milk, formula or a combination of both on demand. 

In this article, we’ll walk you through typical newborn eating schedules and patterns, give you tips for feeding your little one, and answer frequently asked questions about night feeding and more. 

How much to feed a 1 to 2 month old

How much should a 1 month old eat?

At 1 month old, babies usually eat roughly every 2 - 4 hours. Breastfed babies typically eat more often than formula-fed babies since breast milk digests faster than formula []. Newborns at this age will eat about 3 - 4 ounces at each feeding with roughly 8 - 12 feedings in a 24-hour period.  

How much should a 2 month old eat?

At 2 months, the goal remains about 8 - 12 feedings in a 24-hour period. Breastfed babies often feed more frequently than formula-fed babies, since breast milk is digested faster []. On average, newborns at this age take in about 3 to 4 ounces per feeding.

If you’re looking to track your newborn’s feedings, can help! In the app you can log nursing sessions, bottle feeds, pumping sessions, and more! 

1 to 2 month old baby sample feeding schedule

For most babies, the American Academy of Pediatrics [] recommends following responsive feeding, or feeding on demand, at 1 - 2 months old. Watch for their hunger cues and feed accordingly rather than using scheduled feedings for your little one, unless recommended by their doctor. Below is a sample of what a day in the life of a newborn may look like at 1 - 2 months, as sleep and hunger are closely intertwined at this age.

3 tips for feeding your 1 to 2 month old baby

Tip #1: Focus on hunger and fullness cues

It may be tempting to put your baby on an eating schedule based on the clock, but it’s best to continue following their hunger and fullness cues at this age. Responsive feeding [] ensures they eat the amount right for them and sets up good habits for the future. Hunger cues [] include licking lips, starting to suck, and fussiness. Fullness cues include turning their head away, closing their mouth, or falling asleep. 

Tip #2: Fussiness doesn’t always mean hunger

While fussiness or crying sometimes becomes synonymous with thinking your baby is hungry, this isn’t always the case. Remember, babies use crying or fussiness as a way to communicate, so these behaviors may also signal things like they are tired, too cold or warm, overstimulated, want to be held, or need their diaper changed.  

If your baby seems to be in pain, is consistently eating less than usual, and/or is producing fewer wet diapers, consider consulting your child's healthcare provider or a lactation consultant.

Tip #3: Breast milk and formula needs increase as babies grow

Just as babies start to be able to go longer between breast milk and formula meals as they grow, feeding amounts typically increase too. At 1 - 2 months, newborns will likely begin eating more, getting closer to 3 - 4 ounces each feeding. Nursing babies will gradually make this change on their own. However, bottle-fed babies will need to be served more, of course. A way to know It’s time to increase formula or breast milk is when they start finishing their bottles regularly and are still showing signs of hunger. 

Night feedings at 1 to 2 months old

At 1 - 2 months old, babies still need night feedings, though they may be able to sleep for longer stretches at night. Feeding on demand, including overnight, is important to support the rapid growth and development that babies experience. At this age, hunger plays a big  — babies wake up when they’re hungry and it's feeding time!  

Takeaway

• At 1 - 2 months old, babies are still feeding many times during the day to support their rapid growth. Most babies at this age eat every 2 - 4 hours. This puts the number of feeds at around 8 - 12 times during a 24-hour period.

• Babies will start to go longer between feeds and eat more at each feed. By the end of the second month of life, many babies will be eating about 3 - 4 ounces at each feeding and may be able to go up to 4 hours between some feedings. 

• Feeding on demand is still recommended for most babies at this age. Continue to watch and learn your baby’s hunger and fullness cues. With time, you will find being in tune with their feeding needs becomes easier.