During the first few months of your baby’s life, you’re likely to wonder how often should a 4 month old eat? While a newborn eats every four hours, a baby’s regular feeding schedule will vary slightly based on the time of day. A four-month-old will often wake up for a feeding at around 9 p.m., and will usually go to sleep around four or five hours later. However, if you feed your baby at 11 p.m., they may wake up at two or three hours after they’ve gone to sleep. Generally, a four-month-old baby will be up and down between five and six hours, so you may want to adjust the schedule to accommodate this.
Feeding frequency will vary, but most babies will feed every two to three hours, depending on their appetite and how much milk they need. Feeding frequently will increase your baby’s milk supply and practice swallowing and sucking. In addition, it will help them practice feeding themselves. Aim for two or three feedings per day, and if your baby eats more than one meal at a time, consider introducing solids.
Breast milk and iron-fortified formula are the main food sources for four-month-olds. Pureed foods may be introduced at this age, but wait until your baby is ready. Signs of hunger include licking the lips or sticking out their tongue. Your baby may also act fussy or sucking their knuckles. Feeding frequency may vary from baby to baby, so keep track of the frequency of feedings and monitor for signs of food allergies.
If you’re concerned about your baby’s weight, talk to your healthcare provider to get a better idea of the ideal amount of food for your baby. Your doctor may recommend a formula or breast milk formula that is recommended for your baby’s age. It is best to start a schedule that is appropriate for your baby. And be sure to wake your baby up for a feeding. When he/she asks you how often to feed, the first meal will probably be the most important part of your day.
You can begin feeding your newborn every two to three hours and increase the amount each time. Newborns drink about a half ounce of breast milk per feeding and will take up to two or three ounces a day by the time they’re two months old. By the time your baby is four months old, they will start drinking four to six ounces per feeding. When they reach six months, they can take up to eight ounces of breast milk, so make sure you start with the same amount each day.
If you’re wondering how often should a four-month-old should eat, consider your baby’s natural hunger signals. At this age, a baby is more interested in communicating, cooing, and looking at the world around them than in feeding. Try feeding your baby in a darkened room with a receiving blanket, to get them focused on the feeding. You may even find that you can reduce the number of feedings to a single session.
