A 4-month-old baby typically needs about 24 to 30 ounces (approximately 700 to 900 ml) of breast milk per day. This amount is usually spread over 4 to 8 feedings, with each feeding ranging from about 3 to 6 ounces (90 to 180 ml) depending on the baby's appetite and feeding pattern
. Key points include:
- Most 4-month-old breastfed babies nurse around 6 times a day, consuming roughly 4 to 6 ounces per feeding if bottle-fed expressed milk
- Feeding frequency can be about every 3 to 4 hours during the day, with some variation at night
- Babies naturally regulate their intake, so it’s normal for amounts per feeding to vary, and they may not always finish a bottle
- Monitoring wet and dirty diapers (about 4 to 6 wet diapers daily) and steady weight gain are good indicators that the baby is getting enough milk
- During growth spurts, babies may feed more frequently or take larger amounts temporarily
In summary, aim for about 24-30 ounces of breast milk daily for a 4-month-old, divided into feedings of roughly 3 to 6 ounces each, feeding on demand and watching for hunger cues and diaper output to ensure adequate intake
