Normal Feeding and Stooling Pattern for a 2-Month-Old Infant
At 2 months of age, infants typically feed every 3-4 hours consuming 3-4 ounces per feeding, and have approximately 2-3 stools per day, which may be soft or liquid in consistency, especially in breastfed infants. 1
Feeding Patterns
Frequency and Volume
- By 2 months, infants typically feed about every 3-4 hours, taking 3-4 oz per feed 1, 2
- The amount eaten per feeding will increase approximately 1 oz per month and eventually plateau at 7-8 oz per feed 1
- Breastfed infants may feed more frequently than formula-fed infants 3
- Frequent feeding on demand (at least 8-10 times in 24 hours) is beneficial as it decreases newborn weight loss, reduces the need for supplements, and lowers the risk of clinically significant hyperbilirubinemia 1
Breastfeeding vs. Formula Feeding
- Breastfeeding 9-10 times per day is associated with lower bilirubin concentrations, while breastfeeding fewer than 7 times per day is associated with higher bilirubin concentrations 1, 2
- Healthy breastfed infants typically gain weight faster than formula-fed infants in the first few months of life but then gain weight more slowly for the remainder of infancy 1
- The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends continuous rooming-in with frequent, exclusive breastfeeding 1, 2
Stooling Patterns
Frequency
- At 2 months of age, infants typically have approximately 3 bowel movements per day 4
- Stool frequency is highest in the first 15 days of life (median 6/day) and decreases with age to about 4/day at 1 month and 3/day at 2 months 4
- By 3 months, stool frequency typically decreases to about 2/day 4
- Exclusively breastfed infants tend to have more frequent bowel movements than formula-fed infants during the first two months of life 5
Consistency and Characteristics
- Breastfed infants produce more liquid stools compared to formula-fed infants during the first three months 5
- Infrequent stools (less than once per day) can occur in up to 24.8% of infants by the second month of life 4
- Infrequent stools are 3.5 times more likely in breastfed infants compared to formula-fed infants 5
- Some exclusively breastfed infants may have no bowel movements or infrequent stools for several days or weeks, which can be normal 5
Important Considerations
When to Be Concerned
- A decrease in stool frequency alone is not necessarily a sign of constipation, especially in exclusively breastfed infants 4
- Formula-fed infants who defecate less than once per day should not automatically be diagnosed with constipation based solely on defecation frequency 4
- The first stool (meconium) typically occurs within the first 24 hours of life, with the average time being around 7-8 hours regardless of feeding type 6
Feeding Best Practices
- Avoid supplementing with formula unless medically necessary, as this can interfere with establishing breastfeeding 1, 2
- Don't force infants to finish feedings when showing satiety cues 2
- Breastfed infants should be encouraged to feed on demand, day and night, rather than conform to an average that may not be appropriate for the mother-infant dyad 3