Everything you need to know about your growing 4-month-old

As a parent, watching your little one grow and develop is an incredible experience. Every milestone, no matter how small, can be an exciting moment to celebrate. At four months old, your baby is likely starting to show even more personality and skills, making it an exciting time for both you and your little one. While every child is different and will reach milestones at their own pace, there are some general things you can expect from your four-month-old. In this article, we’ll explore some of the developmental changes you might notice in your growing baby.

Social and emotional milestones of 4-month-old

Some of the ways you’ll see your little one learning to connect with the people around her at 4 months:

• Will smile spontaneously.
• Will try copying your movements and facial expressions.
• Likes to play with others and may get upset when playtime stops.

Tips for Parents

• Share your little one’s interest by looking and pointing.
• Try smiling at your baby and speaking to her in a kind voice.

Language and communication milestones at 4 months

How your baby is expressing his needs:

• Cries will start to sound different if he is hungry, in pain, or tired.
• He will babble and copy sounds he hears.

Tips for Parents

• When your baby cries, respond as soon as possible, noting the meanings of each cry signal.
• Repeat the sounds your baby makes back to him.

Brain development milestones at 4 months

How your child’s brain is growing:

• Will begin to recognize objects and people she is familiar with from a distance.
• Is responsive to love and affection.
• Will track moving objects with her eyes by following them side to side.
• Her hands and eyes will work together.
• She will let you know if she’s happy or sad.
• Watches faces closely.
• Will reach for toys with one hand.

Tips for Parents

• Help her develop her hand-eye coordination by leaving toys nearby.
• Speak to your baby during your everyday routines and talk to her about what you notice.

Movement and physical development milestones at 4 months

How he’ll move through his environment:

• Brings his hands to his mouth.
• Will push up to his elbows when lying on his stomach.
• He can hold his head up without support.
• Might be able to roll over onto his back.
• He will push down on his legs when his feet are on a hard surface.
• Can shake a toy he’s holding.

Tips for Parents

• Leave rattles near your little one so he can reach for and shake them.
• Encourage your baby to roll over by putting him on a hard surface — soft surfaces will be difficult at this stage.

Food and nutrition milestones at 4 months

What mealtimes look like at 4 months:

• Your baby will begin to signal that she is hungry by putting her hands near her mouth.

Tips for Parents

• When she signals that she is hungry, respond by giving her breastmilk.

Things to look out for

While all babies develop differently, you should speak to your pediatrician if your 4-month-old:

• Has difficulty moving one or both of his eyes in any direction.
• Won’t smile at people.
• Doesn’t bring his hands to his mouth.
• Won’t push down with his legs when he’s put on a hard surface.
• Doesn’t make noises or cooing sounds.
• Can’t hold his head up steadily.

>> Read more: Everything you need to know about your growing 2-month-old