Your Baby, Month-by-Month: Month 4

Your little angel is becoming more of a baby and less of a newborn with each passing day! By now, you’re probably enjoying the sweet music of coos and giggles minute after minute. The fussiness that can sometimes plague the first three months of a baby’s life is gone and you feel as if your baby is happy and content!

By now, your baby is probably sleeping at predictable times and might even let you get a full night’s sleep! WAHOO!

Big Brother at 4 months

Here’s what you can expect by the end of the fourth month:

  • SleepingYour baby is probably on a pretty predictable schedule by now…taking around 3 naps per day at around 1.5 hours each (probably less for the evening nap) and sleeping around 8 hours at night. If your baby isn’t on this schedule…don’t worry! Every baby is different! Talk to your pediatrician if you are concerned (or go here for some infant sleeping tips).
  • Weight:  Your baby should have doubled his birth weight at this point in time.
  • Hand-eye coordination:  Your baby’s hand-eye coordination is getting better each day! By now, she might be putting things in her mouth…a developmental plus, but a MAJOR downer in terms of practicality. Now you must be vigilant about making sure there are no small objects within her reach that she could choke on.
  • Rolly-Polly:  Your little one will also probably be able to roll one way (most likely from tummy to back). Before you know it, he’ll be rolling across the room!
  • Head stability:  Your baby should be able to hold her head up easily by this point in time. She’ll also probably be able to lift her head off the ground at a 90 degree angle while lying on her tummy (if her neck has been strengthened by daily “tummy time” sessions).
  • Language:  As mentioned above, your baby is most likely cooing by now. He’ll enjoy making noises with his mouth and razzing. He’s also probably learned to fuss to get your attention. Last, but certainly not least, your little one might even start to laugh. There’s nothing better than a baby’s giggle!
Little Brother at 4 months

Activities:

  • Tummy Time:  I know you’re probably tired of me going on and on about the importance of tummy time, but it pays off! Continue with at least 30 minutes of tummy time each day until your child begins to sit up on his own.
  • Read, read, read!  It might sometimes feel monotonous or perhaps like your baby couldn’t care less, but continue to read to her anyway. She’ll probably like books with texture at this point in time. Not only will she enjoy hearing your voice, she’ll begin to recognize pictures and start to correlate pictures of objects with the verbal words.
Bright Baby Touch & Feel Slipcase: On the Farm, Baby Animals, At the Zoo and Perfect Pets (Bright Baby Touch and Feel)

  • Go for a walk:  Weather permitting, try taking your little one on a walk each day. He’s hearty enough by now that he can even go out on cooler days and he’ll enjoy getting to see the world around him! Plus, it’s a great time to talk to him and tell him all of the things he sees.

Chicco Trevi Stroller, Adventure
  • Enjoy an exersaucer or activity center. Once your baby can hold her head up and sit with support, she might be ready to try an exersaucer (or jumperoo). These are great for developing the muscles in the legs…but make sure your baby is ready first!
Evenflo Splash Mega Exersaucer
  • Rattles and Shakers:  Continue letting your little one enjoy the cause-and-effect of shaking a toy and hearing a sound!
  • Peek-A-Boo:  Playing “peek-a-boo” helps your baby learn about object permanence…an important development milestone for babies. Find out why “peek-a-boo” is so important here. Don’t be surprised, however, if your baby doesn’t seem interested at first. Just keep trying!
Ask your doctor if your baby:
  • Hasn’t doubled his birth weight
  • Seems very stiff, with tight muscles
  • Seems very floppy, like a rag doll
  • One or both eyes consistently turn in or out
  • Does not respond to sounds around him
  • Head still flops back when body is pulled up to a sitting position
  • Does not turn her head to locate sounds
  • Seems inconsolable at night
Other Months:
Your turn:

  • Do you have any questions? Leave a comment!
  • Likewise, veteran parents…feel free to chime in with anything I forgot to cover or with any tips you may have.

References:

Shelvov, S.P., Hannemann, R.E., & Trubo, R. (2004). The American Academy of Pediatrics: Complete and Authoritative Guide for Caring for Your Baby and Young Child. Bantam Books.

Caring for Your Baby and Young Child, 5th Edition: Birth to Age 5 (Shelov, Caring for your Baby and Young Child, Birth to Age 5)

*Every family should have this book on hand!

Reisser, P.C. (2007). Baby & Child Care: From Pre-Birth through the Teen Years (Focus on the Family Complete Guides). Tyndale House Publishers: Carol Stream, IL.

Baby & Child Care: From Pre-Birth through the Teen Years (Focus on the Family Complete Guides)

**The content in this post is for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advicediagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this site.

9 Comments

  1. I love reading to our children so much-sometimes I think I may enjoy the books more than they do! :) I agree with you on the tummy time. I was hard core with our first 2 and have been a little lax on the 3rd. This post has really got me motivated! Thank you!

  2. Apparently anyone with the name Heather loves to read. This heather too reads like a crazy woman to her child. The librarians must wonder what i'm doing everytime I come in and take out half of the childrens section each week! :)

    PS- Mom's I could seriously use your help with the comment I posted under the link provided above to the baby sleep issues. I posted our saga of sorts under that other post and could seriously use your input/ advice/ willingness to move in to my home and fix my son's sleep problems with any and all of your suggestions. :)

    Thanks! ~ Heather @ Swallowing A Moose

    1. I was recommended to get the book “12 hours of sleep in 12 weeks” worked like a charm! And its strange we’re all Heather’s :)

  3. That book (Caring for Your Baby and Young Child) is a great book to have! I got it free from Publix grocery store. If you live in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama or Tennessee you can join the Publix Baby Club and they will send it to you free, with lots of coupons and other goodies throughout the year. http://www.publix.com/clubs/baby/Home.do

  4. Please my baby is 4months old plus and he like playing at night instead of sleeping.what is d Cause? When sleeping at well in d mid night he always like her mother to carry him when he is sleeping

    1. Is he sleeping during the day? If so he’s got his days & nights mixed up you might need to keep him from sleeping during the day so he gets used to sleeping at night. Hope this helps.

  5. I like the information given here.it ll help me surely as i didnt knw many things of this stage of baby. This is my first baby, so could u please tell me which types of books i should read infront of her?

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