Well, at 4 months your pediatrician may have you beginning to introduce solids into your baby’s diet. Cereal is usually the first to be introduced. Initially, your baby will not be getting too much cereal into their mouth to actually digest. This is primarily a time to get your baby used to the feelings, tastes and mechanics that come with learning to eat solid foods, therefore, you may find that your baby will still be drinking the same amount of milk each day.

However, as your baby becomes more proficient at eating solids, she will be getting more calories from this and will need fewer calories from your milk. Many babies between the age of 4-6 months still average about 24 ounces a day. But, again, listen to your baby’s cues. There are no strict guidelines for how much milk your baby should have each day, but if your baby goes significantly over 32 ounces or less than 20 ounces often, then you may want to contact your doctor for suggestions.

Your pediatrician should give you details about how to begin feeding your baby. Many moms will feed their baby breast milk as usual, however, substitute two of the milk feedings by mixing a little cereal with your breast milk, and then follow up the cereal feeding with additional breast milk until your baby is satisfied. Over a period of weeks, you will introduce fruits and vegetables and your baby may want less and less milk.

Trust your own judgment, and enjoy this interesting and fun time in your baby’s life.

By the end of your baby’s first month, he may be averaging 24 ounces of milk in a 24 hour period.

Within months 1-3 your baby may be sleeping longer through the night and feeding longer during the day time feedings. Surprisingly, your baby may not be feeding more that 24-25 ounces per day within these first few months. Few babies may require more than this, however, most babies don’t feed more than 30 ounces per day within the first few months.

Remember, this is for babies who are being fed exclusively breastmilk. For babies that are receiving supplemental bottles of formula, then these babies may be receiving much more than the 24-30 ounces breast milk within 24 hours.

If your baby is drinking much less or more than these averages and your baby’s weight seems to be changing dramatically, or you are just plain worried, then call your doctor for further advice or just a little TLC.

If your breast milk is still frozen, thaw in the refrigerator overnight or under warm running water until it has thawed out completely.  This may even warm your breast milk for your baby.

Your breastmilk may separate, with the fat rising to the top.  This is perfectly normal, as is a slightly bluish color.  In addition, some breast milk may smell soapy, this too is normal.  Once your milk is thawed or warmed just gently shake the bottle which should mix back together.

There are a few way to warm a bottle of breast milk, if it thawed:

1. You may just want to run the bottle under warm running water.

2. You can use the microwave to heat up water.

Microwave a cup of water, not the breast milk.  Once you take the cup of water out of the microwave, place the bottle of breastmilk into the cup of hot water and allow to sit for a few minutes.  Then take the bottle out of the water and gently shake.  This should warm your breast milk enough to be just right for your baby.

You do not want to directly microwave your breast milk because:

• the microwave can cause various hot spots in the breast milk, which may lead to burning your baby’s mouth;
• some of the nutrients in the breast milk may be destroyed as you microwave.

3. Also, bottle warmers are a great choice to heat up your breast milk bottle.

Also, make sure to never have your baby around or in your arms while working with hot liquids and always test the breast milk before giving to your baby to make sure that it is not too hot.

There are various types of containers that can be used to store your breast milk.  Studies have shown that glass or hard plastic is better for the nutrients in the breast milk.

Choose containers that:

• are glass or hard-sided plastic containers with well-fitting tops and BPA-free
• plastic bags that have been specifically designed for expressed breast milk.

These special plastic bags are more heavy-duty, have special closures to prevent leakage and some can be attached to pump directly into the bag.

How to store the breast milk:

• Store your breast milk in small portions (3 to 6 oz.), the amount your baby is likely to eat in a single feeding  to avoid waste.  Remember you cannot refreeze your thawed breast milk.
• Leave about an inch of space at the top of your container for the breastmilk to expand.
• Laying the containers down on the side will allow them to freeze thinner and will thaw much easier.
• Placing all the containers of breastmilk in another larger container will allow for more protection, less leakage and more organization for dates.

Washing your breastmilk storage containers is not very difficult.  You do not need to sterilize, but use hot, soapy water.  Do not re-use disposable bags.  If you find that the bags are too expensive, just use a reusable container.  We are big fans of the Sensible Lines Milk Trays.

Use this chart as a basic guideline for storing your breastmilk.

*These guidelines may not be best for sick or premature babies. Contact your physician for proper guidelines.

• Make sure to always write the date on the container.
• It is best to cool fresh breast milk in the refrigerator if you wish to add it to already frozen breast milk.
• It is rare that your breast milk will ever spoil if it has been stored properly.  Your breastmilk may separate, with the fat rising to the top.  This is perfectly normal, as is a slightly bluish color.  In addition, some breast milk may smell soapy, this too is normal.