Your Baby’s Development. What Most Babies do at 4 Months:

Social/Emotional

  • Smiles randomly, especially at people.
  • Likes to play with people and may cry when playing stops.
  • Can copy some movements and faces, like smiling or frowning.

Language

  • Begins to babble.
  • Cries in different ways to show hunger, pain, or being tired.

Learning/Thinking

  • Lets you know if he or she is happy or sad.
  • Responds to affection.
  • Reaches for toys with one hand.
  • Uses hands and eyes together (sees a toy and reaches for it).
  • Follows moving things with eyes from side to side.
  • Watches faces closely.
  • Recognizes known people and things from far away.

Movement/Physical Growth

  • Holds head steady with no support.
  • Pushes down on legs when feet are on a hard surface.
  • May be able to roll over from tummy to back.
  • Can hold a toy and shake it.
  • Brings hands to mouth.
  • When lying on stomach, pushes up to elbows.

Talk to your child’s doctor if your baby:

  • Does not watch things as they move.
  • Can’t hold head steady.
  • Does not smile at people.
  • Does not coo or make sounds.
  • Does not push down with legs when feet are placed on a hard surface.
  • Has trouble moving one or both eyes in all directions.

All children develop at their own pace, so try not to compare your child to others.  If you ever have concerns, make sure to bring them up to your child’s provider. If your baby was born premature, he/she will be on a different developmental milestone path.  This is a great thing to discuss with baby’s provider at the 4-month visit!

Source: cdc.gov