A child at 4 months: what a baby at 4 months can and should be able to do. Stages of development

Do you feel like your 4 month old baby is acting completely differently? And indeed it is! The 4-month mark is an important milestone in your baby's life due to some key milestones in brain and physical development.

Most children by this age have doubled (or more) their birth weight. As for sleep, they sleep more soundly and much longer at night. You may now have a more predictable sleep and feeding schedule, so mom's pace of life may seem a little more relaxed. But at the same time, there is a fair warning - this month may prepare for frequent sleep “regression” in the baby.

But don't worry—this article will help moms know what to expect from their 4-month-old baby.

Physiological development: weight, height

By 4 months, most babies have reached the significant physical milestone of doubling their birth weight. On average, the baby will weigh at least 6-7 kg, and sometimes more. We remember that every baby is different from the next. For example, if your baby was born premature, it may take him a little longer to gain weight by the 4-month mark.

Table of development norms

What can a child already do at 4 months?

The baby will become much more active, more attentive and learn to interact with the world around him. Here are some of the developmental milestones parents can expect at this age.

Physical parameters

Rolls over from back to tummy without mom's help.
Tries to sit with support.
Pushes off when standing on a hard surface.
Holds a rattle or other children's toys in his small hands.
Supports his head independently.
Stands on elbows while lying on tummy.
Reaches objects with one hand. Coordinates vision and movement - notices what interests him, then reaches for the object.
Follows objects moving from side to side with the eyes.
He brings his hands to his mouth.

Vision, hearing

Improves clarity of vision, likes to look at large objects of different shapes and colors.
Smiles spontaneously and recognizes familiar people more often. He feels especially animated when he sees his mother.
Loves to play and may react with negative emotions, such as crying, if the game stops, which he absolutely does not want.
Simulates different facial expressions such as smiling or displeasure.
He chatters and also tries to imitate others, trying to repeat the sounds he hears. These are mainly vowels: “aaaa”, “uuuu”, “eeee”.
Recognizes people even from a distance.
When crying, he communicates his dissatisfaction with something (hunger, boredom, drowsiness, poor health, wet diaper.)

Video: what a child should be able to do at 4 months

What does a baby look like at 4 months of age?

Hair.

Around the fourth month of life, the primary hairs with which the baby was born roll out. They are replaced by the same “real” hair, which very soon will turn into an original hairstyle, golden curls or long braids.

Eyes.

The baby's eye color could also change. Most children are born with blue eyes, and only at 4 months of life do they acquire a genetically determined shade. Moreover, the color change can happen either gradually or literally in an instant: the child fell asleep with blue eyes, and woke up with brown or green eyes.

The baby sees perfectly at a distance of 20-30 cm, responds with a smile to the face of mom or dad bending over him. Manifestations of infantile strabismus have disappeared, now the child fixes his gaze properly, and his pupils have stopped trembling. Your baby is showing more and more signs of socialization; he is surprised, happy, expresses bewilderment, curiosity, and dissatisfaction. The whole gamut of feelings overwhelming a little soul is displayed on a pretty face. It gives the baby special pleasure to watch the movements of adults, and besides, it’s time to take a closer look at the animals. Believe me, a plan is already brewing in my tiny head: “one day, grab the fluffy Barsik by the tail.” And someday this is exactly what will happen!

The baby is attracted to bright objects. It is at the end of 4 months of life that the baby begins to distinguish colors. Now it is important to demonstrate the purity of color to the child, so give preference to rattles in primary colors: red, blue, yellow, green. Toys with more varied shades will come in handy a little later.

The child looks at his own hands with pleasure, carefully examines each tiny finger, as if he wants to make sure “is this all mine?”

Leather.

The baby's skin gradually cleared of postpartum rashes. Small scratches and unsightly pimples have been replaced by plump folds and round cheeks that become attractively plumper day by day.

Skin color has evened out and redness has disappeared. Now the appearance of any speck may signal that the young mother has eaten something wrong. Be more attentive to your diet, in order to understand what exactly a woman can or cannot do, read our article Nutrition for a nursing mother.

When to worry

Each baby develops differently, but if you notice any of the following signs or symptoms, be sure to consult with your doctor at your 4-month wellness check:

If you notice a squint.
The baby gained less than 50% of his birth weight.
He still can't hold his head up.
Doesn't try to sit with support at all.
Doesn't seem to respond or is interested in your face.
Does not look at objects or people when they move.
Doesn't smile.

Activities with a 4 month old baby

This age is a fun time in the development of a toddler because it is considered the beginning of when the baby's personality begins to show itself. A child at 4 months will be able to express his feelings - when he is upset, bored, tired or simply hungry. And because he now understands cause and effect, he will understand that expressing these new emotions resonates with his parents! Get ready for lots of fun baby tricks as your baby learns to experiment with the world around him.

With the learning of object permanence, baby now understands that things that are out of sight, like mom, a blanket, or a toy, don't actually disappear, even if he doesn't see them.

As you can now see, your little one may need more fun and activity this month, so try experimenting with these new daily routine activities and games:

Let him play with hanging toys or a mobile carousel above the crib.
Place your baby in a bouncy seat or bouncer (if available) with hanging toys that he can enjoy interacting with.
When walking in a stroller, raise the backrest so that your child can see what is happening around him. Also comment on what you encounter along the way.
Play hide and seek (mom hides behind her hands) or hide a toy under the blanket. Observe whether the baby is interested in opening her mother's palms or blanket, seeing what is hidden there.
Place your baby's favorite toys or objects in his hand.
Read together - your child is still very young, but colorful board books will not leave him indifferent and will stimulate the baby’s mental development. some babies try to remember and pronounce new sounds by putting them into syllables.
Place the baby on the floor or on a development mat. Then place a few toys in front of him to challenge him to reach for his toys with his pen.

You can stimulate the child’s development, namely, teach the baby to sit independently, using a special seat, a feeding pillow, or your own knees. Everything is within the limits of what is permitted at 4 months of age. And of course, never leave your baby unattended near the pillow. During this period, he develops the muscles needed to support himself, so there is a good chance that tipping will occur first!

Games and exercises

[media=
https://youtu.be/pTPBdNDoPgs
]

Cognitive development of a 4 month old baby

By learning about the world around him and himself, the child develops harmoniously.

“A variety of impressions received contribute to children’s cognitive development,” says E.I. Turevskaya. in Developmental Psychology. - Adults surrounding the baby must satisfy this need for impressions and try to ensure that the environment is not monotonous and interesting. The cognitive development of children living in a monotonous environment slows down somewhat.”

The four-month-old baby is interested in his own body. Help him with this!

"Where? Here!"

A game that helps you remember your child's body parts. Ask: “Where are our pens?” (legs, tummy, nose, etc.) And immediately answer: “Here!” (naming a body part)

"Let's fly!"

Body parts can be taught using this game. Take the baby’s hands in yours, wave them, saying:

“Let's fly, fly! They sat on the head (on the tummy, ears, legs, etc.)!” (press your palms to the named part of the body).

“Who is that behind the glass?”

It is useful to play with your baby in front of the mirror. Leave all superstitions aside - educational games with a mirror are educational and exciting. Show the reflection to the child, make a face yourself, kiss the child so that he can see the looking-glass mother kissing the baby: this way the child will be more likely to identify his reflection with himself.

Daily routine of a 4-month-old baby: nutrition, sleep, care

Baby Care Basics

Here are some 4 month old baby care basics that every mom needs to keep in mind.

Belching in infants
: Belching at every feeding at this age may no longer be such a common problem. As your baby learns to sit more and hold his head up better, he can handle feedings without burping. Every baby is different, so if your baby is uncomfortable or unwell, continue to burp after feeding.
Bathing
: As has been the case for the past few months, bathe your little one every two to three days. Baby's skin is still sensitive and too many baths can dry out their skin. This also includes daily washing of the child after each bowel movement, especially “big things”. And also perform daily procedures: washing your face, cleansing your nose and ears if necessary.
Clean clothes
: keep your baby tidy and change into clean clothes if necessary.
Preventing Insect Bites
: Most insect repellents are safe to use once baby is 2 months old, but you should always exercise caution and do what you can to protect your little one naturally. This applies to the warm season, when the peak activity of trips to nature or to the countryside begins.
Staying safe in the sun
: Babies under 6 months of age cannot wear sunscreen, so if you will be enjoying outdoor activities in the sun, keep your baby in the shade and wear protective clothing, such as a sun hat and T-shirt.
Don't give honey
: Children should not eat honey until they are 1 year old. In this matter, consult your pediatrician.

Feeding and nutrition

A 4-month-old child eats about 200 ml every 4-5 hours if he is fed formula. And they feed about 6-8 times a day if the baby is exclusively breastfed. As he begins to sleep longer at night and during the day, expect drastic changes in how often he latches. However, your baby may still have times when he wants to eat more often, such as when he is sick.

At 4 months, the mother wonders if she can start giving her baby complementary foods. In the past, doctors typically advised parents to introduce complementary foods to their babies around 4 months of age. However, today experts know that there is no “appropriate” age to give a baby food other than milk.

Many pediatricians recommend baby-led feeding, which encourages parents to follow baby-led feeding cues to help them understand when it's best to introduce “other” foods. Some babies may be ready to try solids earlier (around 4 months), and some babies may not be ready until after 8 months. Each baby is different, and it is important to avoid introducing complementary foods too early.

How do you know if your child is ready to try “different” foods? Pediatricians recommend looking for the following signs:

Can hold his head up. One of the first signs you should look for is the ability to sit independently in a high chair or booster seat with proper head control.
Opens mouth when food is near. Does your little one act like a baby bird and open its mouth when food passes by? Reaches your spoon when you eat in front of him? Does he closely watch his mother when she eats at the table? Then it might be time to introduce some extra food!
Moves food from spoon to mouth. If your baby is not interested in the food on the spoon that is offered to him, it may be too early to introduce solid foods. If your baby plays an active role in transferring food from spoon to mouth and likes the taste of the food offered, then he is most likely ready.
The little one is quite large: if the baby weighs at least 7 kg or more, there is a chance that he is also ready for new food.

Pediatricians and specialists in the field recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a baby's life. This means that until your baby is 6 or 7 months old, he should have only breast milk and nothing else (no water, juice or other food of any kind).

After 6 months, you can introduce additional foods to your baby's diet, but experts still recommend that mothers continue to offer breast milk until the baby is 12 months old.

Pediatricians don't have an official recommendation on when to wean your baby, so it's a personal decision for mom or parents that can only be made based on what's best for you and your baby.

Some experts recommend breastfeeding for 2 years or longer. Some mothers do this.

Video: first complementary feeding - when and what to give

First meal

If you think that your baby is still ready for the first feeding, it is best to introduce fresh, pureed fruits or vegetables. There is no need to introduce different types of cereals to the baby, which were traditionally recommended by doctors in the past.

In fact, there is no medical evidence to suggest that you should feed your baby a specific type of food first. For example, at first give your child only vegetables. Babies are born with a natural preference for sweet foods, so you'll increase their likelihood of refusing vegetables if you give them fruit first. When introducing additional foods into your baby's diet, keep the following tips in mind:

Make your own fresh baby food instead of buying it from the supermarket. Although now on store shelves you can find decent products for the first feeding of a baby, which have been tested by time and quality by many mothers.
Introduce one new food at a time so you can monitor your baby if he has a reaction to the food. It is recommended to give new food in the first half of the day, not at night.
You may have to offer your baby a new food several times before he accepts it. This happens quite often. It’s so difficult to switch from sweet milk to the taste of zucchini puree, for example.
There is no evidence that introducing common allergen foods will cause allergies in your baby. In fact, research shows that children who are exposed to an allergen early may be less likely to develop allergies later in life.

Dream

At 4 months, you may encounter an unpleasant experience - the child begins to sleep poorly. Sleep regression occurs at different stages of infancy, with the first occurring around 4 months. Perhaps your baby has already managed to establish a sleep pattern, but now you have discovered the following symptoms

I started waking up more often at night.
Refuses to nap during the day.
Has increased irritability.

Often, sleep disturbances are the result of a growth spurt in your baby's brain and body, and are entirely temporary. Therefore, to combat it, it is still necessary to maintain the baby's sleep schedule.

While it may be difficult to stick to this routine when your baby is sleep deprived, it is best to continue to put him to bed at his usual time and follow the same or new sleep routines you have established. This could be: a bath before bed, stroking the back or tummy, telling a fairy tale.

Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind at this age

Put your baby to sleep when he doesn't want to: As he learns more about cause and effect this month, he may soon realize that crying will get his parents to come to him. You may need to experiment more this month with teaching your baby to self-soothe or fall asleep. Just don't approach him if you feel that crying is manipulation on the part of the baby.
Allow pacifier use for naps and before bed: Experts still recommend using a pacifier during naps and before bed because pacifier use has been linked to a reduced risk of SIDS.
Continue to nap during the day: A typical nap schedule at this age includes two to three mornings and afternoons, each lasting 1 to 1.5 hours, although this may vary.

Another thing this month that may affect your baby's sleep is his new ability to roll over from his tummy to his back. During this period, you should be attentive to the objects that are in the crib with the baby. So, a harmless blanket can be dangerous. When turning over, the baby may bury its nose in it. During this period, an envelope would be an excellent option.

Daily routine as an element of development

It is worth accustoming your baby to a routine from birth. Certain hours for sleeping, feeding and playing will bring order to the organization of the day for both the child and the mother.

Walks

By the age of four months, walks become longer, in summer - up to 3 hours, in winter - up to 2. Babies still sleep during the walk, so if the child is not sensitive to the rocking of the stroller and closes his eyes as soon as he is dressed, you can simply put the stroller on the balcony or a veranda, and mom can do housework.

Nutrition

The baby should be fed six times a day; equal periods of time between feedings allow the food to be digested and the stomach to rest.

Massage

It is better to carry out a massage twice a day, at the same time, the child will wait for this procedure, especially if the complex includes not just rubbing and stroking, but games and sentences.

It’s good if going to bed in the evening is a kind of ritual (actions repeated day after day): bathing, a “tenderness session” (stroking and kissing), a lullaby.

Visit to the pediatrician

This month, as usual, your child will be seen by the pediatrician. Perhaps vaccinations will be prescribed, which according to the schedule must be done exactly at 4 months of age.

A visit to the pediatrician will also include

A complete physical examination with special attention to your child's hips to check for hip dysplasia.
Studying the development of your toddler - what he can do and what he can’t.
Review of feeding and sleep schedules.
Measurement of height, weight and head circumference.
Consultation on the prevention of possible injuries.
Discuss any questions or concerns you may have about the baby.

Baby's health: possible problems

Common health problems at this age may include colds, stomach bacteria that can cause vomiting, or thrush. Here are some tips for caring for your baby in the following conditions:

Cold
. Many children may have a runny nose with green or yellow discharge, but they do not have a true sinus infection. Green discharge may simply indicate that the body is performing its normal function of clearing out the sinuses and nasal passages. However, if your child's cold lasts more than 10 to 14 days or is accompanied by severe symptoms such as a fever, you should see a doctor.
Vomit
. If your baby is exclusively breastfed, the best thing you can do for him if he has stomach problems causing vomiting is to continue to try to breastfeed. Breast milk is easier for children to digest than any formula milk. Therefore, breastfeeding is preferable for any illness involving the baby. If your baby is vomiting after feeding, try shortening the session to 5 or 10 minutes and waiting a few hours to see if your baby can stop vomiting. If he still cannot eat breast milk or vomits within 24 hours, you should see a doctor.
Heat
. Any time your four-month-old baby's temperature rises above 38 degrees, you should call or see a doctor. You should especially call an ambulance as soon as possible if your baby’s vomiting or diarrhea is so severe that it can subsequently cause dehydration.
Thrush
: If your little one has white spots in his mouth or tongue, or develops a rash on his butt that looks symmetrical on both sides and doesn't go away with diaper rash cream, he may have a thrush. Your doctor will evaluate your baby's condition, determine if there is a thrush, and prescribe an oral oral medication or a special cream for diaper area infections.

Developing speech

As with hearing development, speech development is facilitated by constant communication with the child. Read fairy tales and poems, don’t make excuses that the child won’t understand or remember anyway!

“We often do not suspect that the most ordinary phrases and actions of his mother are imprinted on a child’s brain from birth,” writes the Japanese author of the book “After Three It’s Too Late,” Masaru Ibuka. “So mothers who constantly talk to their children have a strong influence on the development of children’s intelligence.”

“Bah? Or Ma?

You can reinforce the pronunciation of a specific syllable in a child if he hears it often. Try reading a poem using only one syllable, but changing the intonation. In this way, you can help ensure that the baby is the first to fully say the word that you expect from him.

"My voice"

Does your baby gurgle and babble for a long time? Take advantage of the moment, record it on your camera, voice recorder, phone, etc. If necessary, play the recording: the baby’s reaction to his own voice will be vivid!

"Repeat Mom"

We develop a child's speech by actively imitating his babble! After all, if mom speaks like him, then he can do it, like mom!

What mom should know

The 4 month mark is an exciting time for you and your baby. The newborn stage is replaced by new developmental milestones for your baby, which manifests itself in sleep, growth, weight, feeding and activity. Enjoy this fun month and remember some useful tips

You are the parent your child needs
. Whether you're a working mom, a stay-at-home parent, or somewhere in between (like working from home!), you should know that a mom is exactly the type of parent a child needs. At this age, your baby needs care and reassurance that he is loved and will continue to grow and develop.
Keep a close eye on development issues
. Often this age is when they may appear. If you are dealing with a complex diagnosis or a delay in your child's physical or mental development, find a good specialist, as well as an online support group for parents who have been through the same thing as you. Reach out to other parents who can help, offer advice and give you the support you need. Don’t despair, because the main thing is to recognize the problem at an early stage and it will be successfully resolved!
Congratulate yourself on how far you've come in 4 months
. If you are breastfeeding and still doing so, you have achieved huge success. Going through the first few months of caring for a baby can be the most challenging part of a mom's life. But if you choose a different type of feeding for your baby, take some time this month to think about what you can do best for you and your baby.
Take pictures of important moments that will not be repeated again
. Your baby will learn to sit better and more confidently without support in the next month. Now is the time to think about booking a photo shoot or trying your hand at home photography. Now is the time to capture a few of your little one's adorable smiles before they get even bigger!