Duration, frequency and schedule of baby feeding at 4 months

In the first few weeks, it’s crucial to ensure that your baby never goes more than 4 hours between feedings. At least until breastfeeding is well established and they are gaining weight adequately, you may need to wake them up if required.

Your baby will be able to consume more milk at one feeding as they become older and as your milk production increases. At that point, you could start to see a pattern that is more recognizable.

Your baby will breastfeed 7 to 9 times in 24 hours throughout the first 3 months. After 3 months, expect your baby to have 6 to 8 feedings every 24 hours. At this age, your baby will typically eat six times per day. Remember that this is only one example of a pattern. Together with other factors that affect the frequency of feedings, each baby develops at a different rate and with distinct tastes.

For formula fed babies:

Formula-fed babies should eat whenever they are hungry, just like breastfeeding infants. On average, formula fed infants feed every three to four hours in the first 3 months of life. Between 4 and 6 months, formula-fed babies should be fed in 4 to 5 hours.

The above is just a reference, and just as every baby is different, so are their feeding patterns. Doctors recommend that babies be fed on demand until they transition to solids at 6 months of age. Likewise, infants born prematurely are likely to eat according to their adjusted age. If your baby is having problems like reflux or failing to grow, you may need to talk to your doctor about the best time and amount to feed him or her.