A healthy baby’s growth pattern typically follows a normal curve and stays within the same percentile for its age. At 4 month, a baby’s body is still developing, and you should expect a growth spurt this month. Your four-month-old is still learning about the world, and will likely gain between one and two pounds this month. Your baby will also be exploring with all of its senses, such as touching objects with his mouth and bringing his hands to his mouth.
During this time, babies are starting to bring objects to their mouth and are usually self-feeding by the time they reach nine or 12 months. While you may not be able to use a spoon or a fork until your child is 12 months old, it is best to cut food into small pieces to prevent choking. Most babies should eat three to six times a day, ranging from one to three pieces at a time. Good foods to give your baby include fruits, vegetables, meat, and energy-rich food. Foods with high sugar, salt, or spice content should be avoided.
At four months, your baby’s sleep pattern may change. Most babies need at least 12 hours of sleep a day, but they may only take one or two naps during the day. The rest of their sleep will be more irregular, so be prepared to deal with this complication. Fortunately, solid foods can help your baby stay asleep throughout the night. If your baby is not sleeping for more than two hours a night, he or she may be waking up for a feed every four hours.
It is also important to remember that newborns should drink about two to three ounces of breast milk per feeding. However, that amount will increase as your baby gets older. At two months, infants should be drinking about three to four ounces of breast milk at each feeding. Your baby will also begin to wet his diaper about every three to four hours, which will give you an idea of how much your baby has eaten.
You should wait until your baby is about five or six months of age before introducing solid foods. Until then, your baby should be eating mostly on demand. For best results, wait until your baby has reached about six months. In the meantime, you can start introducing soft finger foods and gradually increasing the amount of solid food your baby can tolerate. For your baby’s health, always remember to choose foods that contain a wide variety of flavors and textures.
When you’re feeding your baby, remember that it is your baby’s body’s decision when it is time to eat. Even though your baby might look perfectly healthy, your child can easily overeat, and it can lead to gas, spit-up, and stomach pain. Always remember to offer less than you’re planning to eat. And remember, your baby will have his own feelings regarding food, so it is best to be consistent.
