How Many Bottles for 4.5 Month Old?

Hi Amy, my son was breastfed exclusively for the first 4-5 months then we introduced a bit of formula, but at that age he was taking about the amounts you describe. As long as your girl is not hungry, growing and urinating enough (so she's not dehydrated) I'd say you're fine! I can relate to the pressures you are facing and not knowing how much to give in bottles at day care when you are nursing. Trust yourself and it will all work out fine :)

A.

Your baby is getting plenty! DOn't let your Mom or MIL tell you otherwise. ASK YOUR PEDIATRICIAN if you want the best, reliable, science driven advice. My daughter will be 9 months and she was eating about what you're describing at the same age. Your body will make what your baby needs, that's nature at its best. Don't doubt. You're making during the nursing sessions at least as much as she's bottle feeding during the day. So your baby is eating somewhere from 32-40 ozs a day. That's plenty. Ask your pediatrician. That's the only advice you should really embrace as fact.

My son is also 4.5 months old. He is breastfed exclusively - Nurse 1x in morning, he gets 3 bottles of 5oz breastmilk during the day, and Nurse 1-3x at night. If I am home with him all day, he nurses 5-6x a day. He is over 16lbs right now so growing well. I started him on rice cereal 1x at night - he doesn't get it yet. It took my other son a few weeks to get used to the texture and swallow. Hope this helps!

HI,

If your baby is healthy and growing, I wouldn't worry about it, but you could doublecheck with your pediatrician (never mind the mothers and MILs!). Here is a link that talks about amounts of formula that may give you you some guidelines.

http://www.babycenter.com/0_how-to-tell-how-much-formula-...

hi Amy,

I know with my girl, who is now 17 months, I tried to give her more formula (6 oz) and limit the bottles to 3x a day. I would add cereal to the night time feeding so she would sleep all night. Have you introduced juice yet? (1/4 apple and 3/4 water That could supplement any fussiness during the day.

Both of my girls had similar amounts at the same age. I exclusively have given breastmilk to both, and always worried they weren't getting enough. I always looked at the amounts described for formula, which made me worry more, but I've recently come to the conclusion that breastmilk is just different and you can't really compare it to formula recommendations. If your daughter is growing well and is satisfied, then try not to worry more about it and in all likelihood, your Mom and MIL are thinking about volumes more appropriate to formula fed babies. In fact, my experience with both of my girls was that when I did try to give more milk, they both got fussier and gassier, probably b/c they were actually being overfed with the added milk. Good luck...I can totally relate to how frustrating and worrisome it is, but I suspect you are doing well with what you've described.

Unless you notice that she is hungry I would say that is good. If she is not fussy then she is obviously satisfied and gets that extra nursing during the night if she wants it. I would only start increasing the amount if you feel she is still hungry after the 5oz but you should trust your instinct on whether you feel she is satisfied. Good Luck!

Sounds about right to me based on my little girl who was exclusively breastfed but took similar amount. She grew fine and even though the total amount was "less" than what I would read was normal, the pediatrician said she was fine. We started cereal at 5 months but the pediatrician said breastmilk is still the primary source of nutrition at that age, it's just "practice" to eat the cereal. It sounds like you are doing fine and should disregard the advice of your family. I would dEFINITELY not give juice - these days juice is not recommended - it's just pure sugar. Ask your pediatrician if in doubt.

Do you think she needs more milk? After having a feed does she still seem hungry or is she satisfied? Is she satisfied for a good period of time or does she want more an hour later? I think if she is satisfied , doesn't need more after a short period of time and is happy , and gaining weight then she is fine and I would take the advice given with a pinch of salt. Why feed a baby who doesn't need to be fed , you would just be encoraging over eating.

Hope this helps

K.