Question
Our 4-month-old drinks about 32 fluid ounces of formula a day. Is that too much?
Answer
Every baby is different, and some simply are big eaters. However, this may be a sign she’s ready to try solid foods. When you introduce solid foods depends in part on your baby’s physical maturity and the amount of breastmilk or formula she consumes in a day. If your baby is between 4 and 6 months old, look for these feeding readiness cues:
- Sits with support
- Has good head control
- Still seems hungry despite additional formula or nursing sessions
- Turns her head when she’s full
- Seems interested in your food
- Seems to have lost the tongue-thrust reflex and can move foods from around the front to the back of the mouth.
Around 4 to 6 months, your baby’s digestive system also is becoming mature enough to handle cereals. When your baby is ready, begin solids by offering a few teaspoons of single-grain cereal (mixed to a soupy consistency with breastmilk or formula) in a small baby spoon.
At this early age, breastmilk or formula still should be her primary source of nutrition. But introducing cereal is a good way for her to learn the first steps in swallowing solid foods. As always, check with your pediatrician for advice about when and how to add cereal to your baby’s diet.
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