Whether breastfed or bottle-fed, at around 2 months, your child has a rhythm that begins to settle well, both in terms of sleep and meals. Baby asks to eat at fairly regular intervals and as a parent you interpret better and better the signs that indicate your child’s hunger to meet his needs.

Breast milk is undoubtedly the most suitable food for the infant’s needs: no milk is so perfect in every way. But of course breastfeeding is a purely personal decision that belongs to each mother.

If you cannot breast-feed your child or if you have decided to bottle-feed him, specific milks, perfectly adapted to the nutritional needs of the young child are marketed, in pharmacies and in supermarkets. For the child from 0 to 6 months, this is infant milk, also called “infant formula”.

The first age milks, the composition of which is clearly defined in a ministerial decree of January 1, 11, indicates that they can replace breast milk. They are designed to ensure correct digestion for the baby and to be perfectly assimilated by his body.

If they are made from cow’s milk processed to get as close as possible to the composition of breast milk, infant formulas have a composition very different from cow’s milk as we know it. This is why it is strongly recommended not to give classic cow’s milk to your child before the age of one year, and better yet, before the age of three.

Whatever brand you choose, early milks all provide the same overall nutritional benefits and all have approximately the same composition. That said, ranges have been specially developed to respond to certain infant problems in the event of:

• Colic: if the baby has a hard stomach, bloating or gas, milk that is easier to digest may be offered. Opt for a lactose-free first age milk or a protein hydrolyzate.
• Acute diarrhea: if your infant has experienced a major episode of diarrhea, the milk will be reintroduced with lactose-free first-age milk before offering the child’s usual milk again.
• Regurgitation: if baby tends to regurgitate a lot, it will suffice to offer him thickened milk – either with protein, or with carob flour or corn starch (which only thickens in the stomach, so easier to drink). These early milks are called “anti-regurgitation milks” in pharmacies, and “comfort milks” when they are sold in supermarkets. However, be careful not to confuse regurgitation with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) which requires a pediatric consultation.
• Allergies to cow’s milk proteins: if the baby is genetically exposed to the risk of allergies due to his family history, it is recommended to offer him a specific milk without allergenic protein and without lactose.

If you continue to breastfeed your baby, it is important to continue to feed him on demand by offering the breast as often as he asks for it. However, the feedings of should gradually become less as your baby gets older and gets more milk with each feed.

Typically, two-month-old babies settle for 5-7 feeds per 24 hours with one or more night feeds remaining because they cannot cope with prolonged fasting.

However, be careful not to wait for your child to get angry or cry loudly because if he is too agitated, he will no longer be able to latch on and will get more and more upset. Ideally, to nurse well, the baby should be in a quiet awakening period.

Your baby can be a big eater and gulp down the amount he needs in record time with each feed. Conversely, he may need to take his time and can sometimes even fall asleep several times during the same feeding. You can possibly stimulate him a little bit to finish his meal. But don’t wake your child up if he’s in a deep sleep. He’ll wake up and show you signs of restlessness when he’s hungry.

During the entire period of your breastfeeding, remember to change breasts for each feeding so that your milk production is carried out in optimal conditions and to avoid any risk of engorgement.

Make each feeding a special moment and give yourself a moment alone with your little one. To do this, make yourself comfortable so that you can relax and offer your baby a real cocoon. Do not hesitate to help yourself with pillows or your breastfeeding pillow to feel more comfortable.

If your child is bottle-fed, your two-month-old should get an average of 5 to 6 bottles per 24 hours, including one at night.

Note that there are recommended average daily amounts but they are given only as a guide because of course there are bigger eaters than others.

Generally, from 1 month to 2 months, infants drink around 750 ml of milk per 24 hours. Is equivalent to :

– 6 bottles of 120 ml per 24 hours: 1 bottle = 120 ml of water + 4 measures of milk.

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– 5 bottles of 150 ml per 24 hours: 1 bottle = 150 ml of water + 5 measures of milk.

However, these figures are only a benchmark: each baby is different and has their own appetite. Trust your maternal instincts and listen carefully to your child to adapt to their needs.

Whatever the pace of your child, be sure to choose early milk and be sure to apply these few preparation precautions:

• Always pour cold water (bottled or tap) into the bottle, dosing the amount according to the graduations on it.
• Heat the bottle in a bain-marie, in a bottle warmer or in the microwave.
• Add a level measuring spoon of milk to 30 ml of water. So for a 90 ml bottle, count 3 measures and 4 measures of milk for a 120 ml bottle
• Screw the nipple then roll the bottle between your hands before shaking it up and down in order to mix the powder well with the water and thus avoid lumps.
• Always check the temperature of the milk on the inside of your wrist before offering it to your baby. This will prevent any risk of burns.

In terms of quantity, relax especially when your baby refuses to end his bottle. Don’t force it!

However, think about increasing the quantity of milk – always in steps of 30 ml, or 3 doses of milk – if your child is agitated at the end of his bottle and seems to mean that he is still hungry! For example, go from 90 to 120 ml of milk for example (120 ml of water and 4 level doses of milk). This is how your child will gradually increase their quantities of milk, space their meals and decrease their number!

Whether your baby is breastfeeding or bottle feeding, he may have little digestion difficulties. But with a little practice, you can very easily relieve it with these tips:

In case of frequent regurgitation:

• Space feedings or bottles for 2h30 or even 3h minimum to give your child time to digest his previous meal.
• Make moments of meals and moments of digestion moments of calm and relaxation.
• Check that her nipple flow rate is appropriate for her age and if that is not enough, switch to a lower speed nipple to decrease the speed of milk flow.
• Consider taking a short break in the middle of each bottle or feeding and burp your child to help them vent any excess air.
• As soon as his meal is finished, install your baby on an inclined plane: thanks to the nursing pillow or in a deckchair for example
• When he sleeps, always place your child on his back and elevate his head well (by (15 ° maximum), either using a specific inclined plane or by placing a small blanket or towel under his mattress.

In case of colic, gas and / or bloating

First of all, note that passive smoking increases colic in infants. So make sure that no one smokes inside your home. Then :

• Soothe your baby as much as necessary by snuggling him up against you, talking to him in a soft and reassuring voice, singing lullabies or playing calm music.
• Adopt a relaxed attitude during and after bottle or breastfeeding
• Gently massage your baby’s tummy by making light circular movements around his belly button, clockwise. Gradually widen your gesture outward.

And if that is not enough, certain positions can relieve it effectively:

• Place him against your stomach, his legs flexed “like a frog”. The transfer of heat from your body to her stomach and the softness that the hug gives her should soothe her.
• Advance and evacuate the air from his belly with the “pedal boat” technique: lay baby on his back on your knees or on a flat surface, gently bring his knees to his belly by bending his legs one after the other. Release, then start again slowly, speaking to her in a calm voice.