For a 2-day-old newborn, offer about 1–2 ounces (30–60 mL) of infant formula every 2–3 hours, adjusting to hunger and fullness cues.
How Much Formula For A 2-Day-Old Newborn: Daily And Per Feed
A tiny belly needs small, regular feeds. On day two, most babies do well with 1–2 ounces at a time, about every 2–3 hours. That pattern lands at roughly 8–12 feeds in a full day. Many babies end up near 10–16 ounces across 24 hours at this age, though some take less and some more. Aim for steady, cue-led feeds rather than chasing a fixed total. If stretches at night run long, wake for a feed by the 4–5 hour mark in the early weeks.
Two trusted guides back up these ranges. The CDC guidance on formula amounts notes 1–2 ounces every 2–3 hours in the first days. The AAP schedule for formula feeds also points to 1–2 ounces per feed in the first week and reminds parents to wake babies who sleep longer than 4–5 hours early on.
First-Week Quick Reference
Use this table as a starting point, then watch your baby’s cues. Expect the appetite to change across the week.
| Age | Per Feed | Feeds Per 24 H |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1–2 | 1–2 oz (30–60 mL) | 8–12 |
| Day 3–4 | 1–2 oz (30–60 mL) | 8–12 |
| Day 5–7 | 1–2 oz (30–60 mL) | 8–12 |
Reading Hunger And Fullness Cues
Your 2-day-old can tell you plenty without words. Early hunger cues include stirring, bringing hands to mouth, rooting, and soft fussing. Late cues bring strong crying. Try to offer the bottle when cues are early. During a feed, look for a relaxed face and steady suck-swallow-pause rhythm. Signs of fullness include turning away from the nipple, sealing lips, slower sucks, or dozing off. Stop when those show up, even if a little formula remains.
Plenty of wet and dirty diapers, a satisfied look after feeds, and steady weight checks all point to good intake. Reach out to your baby’s doctor if diapers are scarce, weight gain stalls, or vomiting follows most feeds.
How Often To Feed On Day Two
Most 2-day-olds feed every 2–3 hours, day and night, too. Try responsive timing rather than a rigid clock. If naps pass 3 hours in the daytime, offer a bottle. In the first weeks, avoid overnight gaps longer than 4–5 hours.
Sample Day Two Pattern You Can Tweak
Here’s one way a day might look. Adjust to your baby’s cues.
- 06:00 — 1.5 oz, diaper, cuddle
- 08:30 — 1.5 oz, brief burp break midway
- 11:00 — 1–2 oz, pace the bottle
- 13:30 — 1–2 oz, skin-to-skin after
- 16:00 — 1–2 oz, quiet room helps focus
- 18:30 — 1–2 oz, warm bath not required
- 21:00 — 1–2 oz, dim lights
- 01:00 — 1–2 oz, gentle burp
- 04:00 — 1–2 oz, quick diaper and cuddle
That mix gives about 9–10 feeds and roughly 14–16 ounces for the day. Your totals will vary. Cues still lead.
Weight-Based Check: Does Intake Fit My Baby?
AAP offers a simple upper-bound check once babies settle into feeding: about 2.5 ounces of formula per pound of body weight across a day, with a daily cap near 32 ounces. This is a ceiling, not a target on day two. Many babies sit below it in the first week. Use it to sanity-check your ballpark.
Daily Totals By Weight (Ceiling Guide)
| Baby Weight | Daily Total | If ~10 Feeds |
|---|---|---|
| 5 lb (2.3 kg) | ~12.5 oz (370 mL) | ~1.25 oz each |
| 6 lb (2.7 kg) | ~15 oz (445 mL) | ~1.5 oz each |
| 7 lb (3.2 kg) | ~17.5 oz (515 mL) | ~1.75 oz each |
| 8 lb (3.6 kg) | ~20 oz (590 mL) | ~2 oz each |
| 9 lb (4.1 kg) | ~22.5 oz (665 mL) | ~2.25 oz each |
If your baby wants more than this guide across a day, chat with the doctor. If totals tumble far below and diapers are few, that also deserves a call.
How To Mix And Offer Formula Safely
Prep
Wash hands and clean your work area. Use clean bottles and nipples. Check the “use by” date. Read the label and add the exact water and powder in the order the label lists. Shake to mix. If your tap water needs boiling, boil for one minute, let it cool, then measure while still warm. Many families use ready-to-feed for the first days when convenience helps.
Serving And Storage
Offer fresh bottles within 2 hours of mixing. Once your baby starts a bottle, use it within 1 hour and toss the rest. If you mix ahead, keep bottles in the fridge and use within 24 hours. Warm bottles in a mug of warm water or a water bath. Skip the microwave.
Easy Pacing
Hold your baby fairly upright. Keep the bottle tilted just enough to fill the nipple. Let your baby pause. Switch sides halfway to avoid a neck crick. Burp gently when cues suggest a break.
Paced Bottle Feeding For Calm, Steady Feeds
Pacing lets your baby set the speed. It also lowers the chance of gulping and spit-up. Here’s a simple flow you can use from day two onward.
- Hold your baby semi-upright, head higher than tummy.
- Touch the upper lip with the nipple and wait for a wide mouth.
- Keep the tip filled; avoid a fast pour.
- Let swallows come, then tip the bottle down for a short pause.
- Finish when cues say “I’m done,” not when the bottle is empty.
Why The Amount Looks Small On Day Two
Tummy-size graphics show tiny early volumes, which can seem at odds with the 1–2 ounce guide. Both can be true. Bellies stretch across the week and appetite rises. Some sip 1 ounce, rest, then finish more. Others stay near the low end and still grow well. Cues and weight checks matter more than a single number.
Burping, Spit-Up, And Comfort
Some babies hardly burp. Others need frequent pauses. Try a mid-feed and an end-feed burp. If spit-up shows after most feeds, try a slower nipple, more pauses, and smaller volumes offered more often. Keep your baby upright on your chest for 15–20 minutes after a bottle. If spit-up is green, bloody, forceful, or paired with poor weight gain, call the doctor promptly.
How To Tell The Bottle Size Is Right
Watch the swallow rhythm. A fast stream can flood a small mouth. Milk should not pour. Try a slow-flow nipple in the first weeks. If feeds drag past 30 minutes and your baby fights the bottle, the flow may be too slow. If gulping and sputtering are common, the flow may be too fast. Swap until the rhythm looks calm and steady.
Diapers, Weight, And When To Call
Newborns shed a little weight early on, then regain it. Regular wet diapers and soft stools tell you fluid is getting in. Call if diapers drop off, urine turns deep yellow, the mouth looks dry, or tears are missing. Also call if a 2-day-old rarely wakes for feeds.
Practical Tips That Help Day Two Go Smoothly
- Keep bottles and parts in one clean bin so prep is quick.
- Measure water first, then powder, so scoops stay level.
- Use a short feeding log only if it helps, then let it go.
- Keep days bright and nights dim to cue sleep patterns.
How To Track Without Stress
Short notes can help during the newborn blur. Jot the time and the ounces taken. Note big cues like rooting or turning away. Snap a quick photo of the bottle if that is faster than writing. Share the log at the first checkup, then stop logging if it no longer helps.
When Volumes Vary
Babies heal from birth at their own pace. A long labor, medications, or a cesarean can make a baby sleepy on day two. Offer the bottle more often and use gentle rousing. Skin-to-skin time can lift alertness. Late preterm or smaller babies may take extra time to reach the upper end of the range. Your care team can set specific targets if needed.
Tiny Troubleshooting
- Lots of dribbling: Try a slower flow and a deeper latch to the nipple base.
- Gas discomfort: Offer smaller volumes more often and burp twice per feed.
- Hard to wake for feeds: Change the diaper first, open the swaddle, and give a minute of skin-to-skin.
Short Answers To Common Day Two Questions
What If My Baby Wants More Than 2 Ounces?
Offer more if early cues persist and swallowing stays calm. Add in small steps, like an extra half ounce. If large volumes lead to frequent spit-up or discomfort, scale back and feed more often.
Can I Stretch To Three Hours Between Bottles?
Plenty of babies hit that gap at times on day two. If cues show earlier, feed earlier. If daytime gaps run long, offer a bottle rather than waiting.
Do I Need Night Feeds?
Yes. Night feeds keep intake steady and keep weight on track. In the first weeks, avoid long gaps overnight.
Is Water Ever Needed Between Feeds?
No. Infant formula already contains the water your baby needs. Extra water can crowd out calories and upset sodium balance.