Going into the second month, your baby's diet isn't going to change much. Babies at this age don't need a lot of variety. During these early months, it is still too early to start solid foods, even cereal. And babies who are only a few months old don't usually need water or juice yet. So your baby will just continue breastfeeding or drinking formula for now. She will likely be eating more at each feeding, though.

Breastfeeding

For many parents, the first few weeks of breastfeeding are the hardest. Fortunately, by two to three months, most mothers have overcome any difficulties and are breastfeeding without any problems. In addition to mom now having a good and regular supply of breastmilk, most parents have gotten comfortable with the whole idea of breastfeeding. Even if new problems come up, by this time many parents have the confidence that they will be able to solve them and continue breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding can also be a little easier at this age because most babies are feeding a little less often. Instead of the eight to twelve feedings during the first few weeks, many babies are down to just seven or eight feedings by two months. Keep in mind that some babies continue to feed eight to twelve times a day and won't cut back on their feedings until three or four months. Signs that your baby is getting enough to eat, such as frequent wet diapers and regular bowel movements, being satisfied after feedings, and gaining weight, are often better ways to tell whether your baby is eating enough.

Some babies also cut back on how long they will breastfeed during each feeding. An effective or fast eater might be done in just ten minutes, while a slow feeder might take twenty to thirty minutes or more. Babies may also eat more or less often depending on whether or not they are going through or have just completed a growth spurt (see the section on growth spurts later in this chapter). Recognizing these situations can help you understand what's normal and keep you from worrying unnecessarily.

Formula Feeding

Unless there has been a problem, your baby should still be on the same formula that she was drinking during her first month. If she is doing well, there is usually no reason to change the type of formula or brand that she is eating. Remember that changing formulas too often usually won't help vague symptoms, like occasional gas or loose stools, and it can cause its own problems. Some babies have trouble adjusting to the new formula and may eat less or get constipated.

The main change right now is going to be in the amount of formula that your baby is drinking. By two months, she should increase her intake to about four or five ounces at each feeding. And that will increase again to five to six ounces by three or four months, with most infants drinking a total of twenty-four to thirty-two ounces a day. Some bigger babies might be drinking up to forty ounces a day, and others might be drinking less. Remember that how well your baby is growing is usually more important than the exact number of ounces that your baby drinks.

Although she is eating more at each feeding, your baby may start eating less often by this age. She will likely go from six to eight feedings a day during her first month to only five or six feedings a day over the next few months. How often she eats is going to depend a lot on how much she eats at each feeding, how long she sleeps at night, and how long she can go without a meal. Some babies do better drinking eight ounces four times a day, while others can't drink more than three or four ounces at a time, and so are still eating six to eight times a day. Your baby will probably be on a fairly regular schedule for meals now, but that doesn't mean that it has to be like every other baby's feeding schedule. Instead, figure out what works best for you, your baby, and her mother, and talk to your pediatrician if you think your baby is eating too much or too little or isn't gaining enough weight.