How Much To Feed Your 4 month-old Baby
|
|
Up until now your baby has only needed formula or breast milk and may need to have cereals introduced. Cereals need to be iron fortified. Rice cereals, wheat. oats, and barley cereals are used. Your pediatrician will be able to provide you with information that is specific to your child’s needs.
There are ways to tell if your baby is ready for solid foods, cereals at first, to be added to their diet. Your baby should be holding their head up and sit in a highchair. They may be teething and showing interest in food. It is also important that your baby gain a fair amount weight. They should have gained at least double their birth weight.
Chewing motions and the ability to move food from the front of the mouth to the back. Your baby may hungry after 8-10 feedings of breast milk or about 40 ounces of formula. At this point there should be a decrease in pushing food out with their tongues.
Your baby can take formula as well as breast milk. This might not be enough now. You could try them on liquidated infant cereals that have iron in them. Rice is typically the first cereal given. Oat, barley, wheat, and mixed cereals can also be given to your baby.
Mix one teaspoon of dry cereal with formula or breast milk. The cereal will be very runny in consistency. Gradually make the cereal thicker using up to 1 tablespoon of cereal mixed with breast milk or formula. You can give this to your baby twice a day.
As your baby gets used to solids check with your pediatrician on when and how much fruits, meats, and vegetables to give your baby. This is where you will discover if they have food allergies. They will also let you know if they have food preferences.
It is advisable to refrain from adding too much at one time. If an allergy is discovered it might be a bit difficult to determine exactly what food is the culprit. Once an allergy is discovered that particular food should be eliminated.
You know your 4 month-old baby the best. Get your pediatricians advice as to how much to feed your baby especially when they are just starting on solid food. It will be a tasty adventure as your baby discovers “real” food.
