How much should my 4 month old be eating??

[lilyemama]

How much should my 4 month old be eating

My daughter is almost 4 months old 2months adj age. How much should she be eating each feeding? She normally eats 4 ounces every 3 hours. Once in a while she will eat 6.like tonight she ate 4 at 6pm 2 at 7:30 and 4 more at 9:30. If I make 6 at one time I end up throwing away almost 2 ounces because she will not drink it. Should I make the six each time just in case or keep doing like I am doing and make four ounces and if she wants more then fix two more ounces??? What do you ladies think I should do?? Thanks for the advice and help

[jessiprncss]

I am not sure how much a 4 month old preemie should be drinking. But, I can tell you I am in the same boat. My son is 4 & 1/2 months and was 6 weeks premature. He too is drinking ~4 oz every ~3 hours. Upon occasion he will drink 6 oz. I am leaning towards that to being a growth spurt. In the beginning I was tossing the left overs and I was told that I was able to save it. As long as you save it properly. So now, I also fill my bottles up more then his average feed usually 6 oz. And save the remaining amount for the next feeding.

I know some may not be comfortable with saving the left overs. But, my pediatrician said it was OK for only the next feeding. I was also told by another professional in baby care that was also OK. These two women dont know each other, and I never mentioned it to either one what the other told me. They both advised that I change the nipple and put it back in the fridge. Call your pediatrician and ask them what they think about it.  Not to sure if this helps you in any way.

[momtopreemie521]

My preemie 6months (4months adj) dricks 4oz and sometimes more.  I make the four then if she wants more I just make more.  I have never heard that its ok to save it.  But if the dr says its ok then go for it.  I usually make the 1 cup of powder (level, unpacked) with 23oz of water and it makes enough for the whole day.  So I just warm more in the microwave (in a glass jar) if she drinks all 4oz  and wants more.

[shannonnlotuz]

my boys will be 4 months old on the 23 rd ( 2months adj ) and they both eat the same as yours i make extra and save for next feeding they usually will take 2 oz after an hour or so to top off b4 next feeding i also put 1 teaspoon of rice cereal to each ounce at night to hold them off for about 5 1/2 to 6 hours just to get some rest cause they were up every 2-3 hours every night  i couldn't handle it in about 3 to 4 weeks i am going to start them on trying baby food come January they get it for WIC and we  (family) tend to start to introduce food at 4 months i am waiting a bit due to prematurity

just to let you know nothing i do is told to me by a doc it is all family based not saying i dont take advice from my doc i have just never braught up the issues to her the boys are doing well with the way we do things we have also never had any problems with any other babies in the family

[AES514]

I have a three month old.... I'm not good at adjusted age, but he was due Nov 9th.  Anyway, sometimes he takes 2 ounces, sometimes 4,5, or 6.  He is our first, so of course we are extra extra curious/nervous about everything.  Our doctor said let him eat what he wants when he wants.  As long as he keeps gaining weight, thats all they are looking for.  Of course, you want to keep an eye out for dehydration if you are that worried.  Less wet diapers then usual, sunken in fontanels (soft spot on her head if she still has them) dry mouth, ect.  Also, with the saving the left over thing, I have gone down a considerable amount on my pumping volume, and we were doing hte same thing of tossing precious breastmilk.  Because we never know how much he is going to take, we started giving him his feedings cold.  Our friend, who is and OB, said thats totally fine.  Plus then you don't have to worry whether the left overs are good or not.  My sisters son refuses to take anything cold, so I guess it depends on baby.  But ours does great with it and is gaining an ounce and a half a day! Multiple people in the NICU did tell us you have to toss milk after its heated.  Which makes sense.  Would you drink heated, re-chilled, re-heated milk? Thats like reheating McDonalds!!  good luck I'm sure you are doing great!