4 Month Old Baby Developmental Milestones

I m a g e : Shutterstock

T a b l e Of C o n t e n t s :

I t ’ s been f o u r months s i n c e your t i n y bundle o f joy m a d e your w o r l d beautiful. T h e little j u n i o r now l o o k s straight i n t o your e y e s , babbles, r e c o g n i z e s you a n d above a l l melts y o u r heart w i t h that c h a r m i n g smile. M o t h e r h o o d is b l i s s f u l , and y o u get a greater r e a l i z a t i o n of i t when y o u r baby c o m p l e t e s the f o u r t h month o f his life.

M o m J u n c t i o n acquaints y o u with t h e various d e v e l o p m e n t a l milestones y o u r baby w o u l d reach w h e n he c o m p l e t e s four m o n t h s . We a l s o share w i t h you s o m e simple w a y s to h o n e his c a p a b i l i t i e s .

A Four-Month-Old B a b y ’ s Development C h a r t

A c h i e v e d Developmental M i l e s t o n e s	E m e r g i n g Developmental M i l e s t o n e s
R e s p o n d s to b a s i c sounds a n d words	L e a r n s to r e s p o n d to h i s own n a m e
S u p p o r t s body w i t h arms d u r i n g tummy t i m e	C a n roll o v e r from t u m m y to b a c k
S m i l e s and l a u g h s while l o o k i n g at f a c e s	R e s p o n d s differently t o specific f a c i a l expressions
T r a c k s nearby o b j e c t s	C a n track o b j e c t s moving f a r t h e r
S i t s with s u p p o r t	S i t s without s u p p o r t for s h o r t durations
M a k e s basic m o v e m e n t s when o n tummy	B e g i n s to c r a w l when p l a c e d on t u m m y
C a n hold t o y s with b o t h hands	P a s s e s toys f r o m one h a n d to a n o t h e r
C r i e s differently f o r different f e e l i n g s	M a k e s different s o u n d s for d i f f e r e n t feelings
P u s h e s legs d o w n w a r d s while s t a n d i n g with s u p p o r t	S u p p o r t s weight o n both l e g s while s t a n d i n g with s u p p o r t
W a t c h e s new f a c e s and o b j e c t s keenly	S h o w s active c u r i o s i t y towards n e w objects a n d people

A Four-Month-Old’s D e v e l o p m e n t a l Milestones

H e r e we l i s t the v a r i o u s cognitive, p h y s i c a l , and s o c i a l and e m o t i o n a l skills t h a t your f o u r – m o n t h – o l d would a c h i e v e .

C o g n i t i v e Developmental M i l e s t o n e s :

C o g n i t i v e skills p e r t a i n to t h e baby’s i n t e l l i g e n c e , rationality a n d decision-making c a p a b i l i t i e s .

B a s i c cause a n d effect u n d e r s t a n d i n g : When h e is p u t in a feeding p o s i t i o n , he o p e n s his m o u t h in a n t i c i p a t i o n of f o o d . He a l s o reacts c h e e r f u l l y when s h o w n a t o y indicating t h a t he u n d e r s t a n d s it i s play-time. B a b i e s now l e a r n to d r a w basic c o n n e c t i o n s between o b j e c t s , individuals a n d situations. W h e n it c o m e s to i n d i v i d u a l s , memory p l a y s an i m p o r t a n t role.

B e t t e r memory: He n o w recognizes g r a n d p a and p o s s i b l y even r e c o l l e c t s his l a s t meeting w i t h him. Y o u r baby n o w has a definitive r e a c t i o n towards o b j e c t s and p e o p l e he r e m e m b e r s . This c o u l d mean h e may r e s i s t being h e l d by c e r t a i n individuals w h o m he d i s l i k e s . He w i l l repeatedly c h o o s e one p a r t i c u l a r toy f r o m a p i l e of t o y s thus i n d i c a t i n g that h e now h a s his f a v o r i t e s .

R e s p o n d s to a f f e c t i o n : The l i t t l e one n o w knows t h a t when m o m m y kisses h i s cheeks i t means s h e is s h o w i n g love. Y o u r four-month-old b a b y understands t h a t he i s the c e n t e r of a t t e n t i o n and r e s p o n d s accordingly e v e r y time y o u display a f f e c t i o n . By f o u r months, b a b i e s recognize t h e emotion o f love e s p e c i a l l y when d e m o n s t r a t e d by t h e primary c a r e g i v e r s (1).

L e t s you k n o w when h e is s a d : If h e understands l o v e , he c a n also e x p r e s s sadness. A four-month-old b a b y will c r y when a parent l e a v e s the r o o m for a substantial a m o u n t of t i m e and w i l l stop i t when t h e parent r e t u r n s . He e x p r e s s e s his f e e l i n g of s a d n e s s or m i s s i n g someone b y crying. T h i s wail i s usually a dry w e e p , wherein h e does n o t shed t e a r s but j u s t throws a tantrum.

C r i e s differently f o r different r e a s o n s : Crying i s still t h e primary m o d e of c o m m u n i c a t i o n for y o u r 4 m o n t h s baby. B u t now h e has v a r y i n g levels o f wavelengths f o r it. H u n g e r , sadness, s o i l e d diaper, e a c h one h a s a d i f f e r e n t l y toned c r y . As a parent, y o u will s o o n recognize t h e different c r y i n g patterns.

P h y s i c a l Developmental M i l e s t o n e s :

H o l d s head s t e a d y : Heads u p ! Your b a b y now h o l d s his h e a d unsupported w h e n held i n arms. W h e n he i s picked u p from a lying d o w n position, h e holds h i s head s t e a d i l y in t h e direction h e is b e i n g lifted. T h e neck m u s c l e s are s t r o n g e r than t h e y were a month a g o , which m e a n s you a r e going t o see m o r e controlled a n d natural n e c k movements.

S t r o n g e r shoulder m u s c l e s : When p l a c e d on h i s tummy, h e will p u s h his e l b o w s down t o w a r d s the g r o u n d like g e t t i n g into a plank p o s i t i o n . The e l b o w s are s u p p o r t e d by t h e upper a r m s , which g e t their s t r e n g t h from t h e back m u s c l e s through t h e shoulders.

S i t t i n g with a s s i s t a n c e : You c a n also m a k e him s i t on y o u r lap o r a s o f t surface w h i l e supporting h i m . You s t i l l need t o hold h i m but h e no l o n g e r topples o v e r easily l i k e he d i d earlier, i n d i c a t i n g a s u b s t a n t i a l development i n the l o w e r back m u s c l e s .

S p e e c h development: Your b a b y is s t i l l young t o understand t h e various n u a n c e s of l a n g u a g e but y o u will s e e him m a k e an e f f o r t to s p e a k his f i r s t words. H e now d i s c o v e r s his n e w found a b i l i t y to u s e his v o i c e and y o u would n o t i c e that h e babbles s i m p l e rhythmic s o u n d s (2). I n f a n t s at t h i s age f i n d it e a s i e r to s a y words b e g i n n i n g with M , D a n d B. T h i s means y o u could e x p e r i e n c e the j o y of h e a r i n g “Ma-Ma” a n d “Da-Da” v e r y soon. Y o u r baby m a y still n o t associate t h e s e words w i t h parents, b u t you c a n reinforce i t by r e p e a t i n g the w o r d when h e says i t . Either w a y , he n o w does m o r e than j u s t cry!

R o l l i n g over: When p l a c e d on h i s tummy h e will b e able t o roll o v e r from t u m m y to b a c k . That i s a s u b s t a n t i a l growth i n his p h y s i c a l development s i n c e it s h o w s an i n c r e a s e in h i s range o f movement. I t is a l l due t o stronger s h o u l d e r and b a c k muscles t h a t can n o w exert m o r e force.

A r m extensions: Stronger b a c k muscles p a v e the w a y for s t r o n g e r arm m u s c l e s . The b a b y is n o w capable o f bringing b o t h hands a t a t i m e to t h e mouth. Y o u now n o t i c e that h e extends h i s hand t o grab a toy w h e n it i s in a reachable d i s t a n c e . When y o u hold h i m in y o u r arms h e may e v e n throw h i s arms a r o u n d you l i k e a h u g .

P u s h e s down o n legs w h e n held s t r a i g h t : Your b a b y cannot s t a n d but w h e n you h o l d him v e r t i c a l l y he w i l l extend h i s feet a l l the w a y to t h e ground, l i k e in a manner t o stand. E a r l i e r he w o u l d simply c u r l his f e e t up b u t he i s now d e v e l o p i n g the n a t u r a l reflex t o push t h e feet d o w n to s t a n d .

L a r g e r tummy c a p a c i t y : You m a y notice t h a t your b a b y feeds f o r longer p e r breastfeeding s e s s i o n . But a t the s a m e time, h e is h u n g r y fewer t i m e s a d a y than e a r l i e r . A b a b y ’ s stomach h a s grown s i n c e the t h i r d month a n d is s i g n i f i c a n t l y bigger t h a n it w a s in h i s first m o n t h . This m e a n s it c a n hold m o r e milk, k e e p i n g him s a t i a t e d for l o n g e r thus r e q u i r i n g fewer f e e d s .

I m p r o v e d eye c o n t r o l : By t h e age o f four m o n t h s , babies h a v e better d e v e l o p e d ocular m u s c l e s than t h e y had a couple o f months a g o . Better o c u l a r muscles c o u p l e d with s t r o n g e r neck m u s c l e s mean t h e baby c a n move h i s gaze a l o n g a m o v i n g object. W o b b l e a t o y around h i m and h e will k e e p his e y e s transfixed a t it u n t i l it m o v e s out o f his f i e l d of v i s i o n . Babies a t this a g e also l o o k at f a c e s carefully, e s p e c i a l l y the e y e s . They h a v e color v i s i o n since b i r t h but h i g h contrast o b j e c t s like c h e c k e r b o a r d patterns o r eyes e n t i c e them t h e most. D o n ’ t be s u r p r i s e d if h e often p l a y s a g a m e of s t a r e with y o u !

B e t t e r motor s k i l l s : Place h i m in t h e crib w i t h some d a n g l i n g toys, a n d there a r e high c h a n c e s he w i l l reach o u t to a toy a n d rattle i t . His h a n d s are n o w quite d e x t r o u s since h e has f i n e r grip c o n t r o l than b e f o r e . He c a n grab a handful o f the o b j e c t with i m p r o v e d precision a n d will m a i n t a i n grip w h i l e moving t h e object. L o n g – h a i r e d moms b e w a r e ! He i s surely n o t going t o let h i s grip l o o s e n easily!

I m p r o v e d sleep: Your b a b y now s l e e p s in m o r e solid b l o c k s . This m e a n s he m a y , most p r o b a b l y , sleep f o r eight c o n t i n u o u s hours p r o b a b l y at n i g h t . He m a y still w a k e up o n c e in a while w h e n he i s hungry o r has s o i l e d his d i a p e r s , but i t is n o w less s p o r a d i c and m o r e predictable.

P r o b a b l y some t e e t h : Baby t e e t h can a p p e a r from t h e sixth m o n t h but i t can s t a r t as e a r l y as t h e fourth m o n t h (3). T h e first t e e t h to a p p e a r are t h e lower c e n t r a l incisors, w h i c h are t h e front t w o teeth o n the l o w e r jaw. T h e emergence o f the f i r s t teeth c a n vary a n d it i s completely n o r m a l for a four-month-old b a b y to h a v e no t e e t h . Therefore, d o not b e alarmed i f your l i t t l e one s h o w s no p e a r l y whites i n his m o u t h .

S o c i a l And E m o t i o n a l Developmental M i l e s t o n e s :

I m i t a t e s others: One o f the b e s t ways f o u r – m o n t h – o l d s respond t o others i s by i m i t a t i n g them, e s p e c i a l l y the s o u n d s and e x p r e s s i o n s made b y their p a r e n t s (4). L o o k at h i m with a wide g a p i n g mouth a n d there a r e chances h e will g a p e back a t you. S p e a k i n g to h i m with c e r t a i n simple s o u n d s will e l i c i t a r e a c t i o n in t h e form o f a r u d i m e n t a r y imitation o f the s o u n d . It m a y be a simple a c t but i s a s t r o n g indicator t h a t the b a b y has s t a r t e d to u n d e r s t a n d the i m p o r t a n c e of v e r b a l communication.

S m i l e s and l a u g h s : If y o u feel h e just c h u c k l e d then h e probably d i d . Babies b e g i n to g i v e those i n c r e d i b l y cute s m i l e s and g u r g l e – l i k e laughs f r o m the f o u r t h month o f their l i v e s . These s m i l e s can b e stimulated b y anything t h a t the b a b y finds a m u s i n g or c h e e r f u l like a laughing p a r e n t , a f u n n y sound, e t c . Laughter i s often a c c o m p a n i e d by a n excitement t h a t he m a y display b y moving h i s hands a n d feet.

S h o w s preference t o w a r d s familiar p e o p l e : You w i l l see t h e first s e t of s o c i a l skills i n your l i t t l e one a t the a g e of f o u r months. T h e baby’s b e h a v i o r shows a preference t o w a r d s people w h o m he r e c o g n i z e s , which m e a n s he r e m e m b e r s them. H e will s m i l e towards f a m i l i a r faces e v e n when t h e y are s t a n d i n g at a distance. T h e s e are t h e first s i g n s of s o c i a l bonding.

E n j o y s play-time: Playing w i t h your b a b y now s e e m s more m e a n i n g f u l since h e responds t o the p l a y rather t h a n be a quiet s p e c t a t o r . He l o o k s and s m i l e s at a moving t o y and u n d e r s t a n d s that y o u are p l a y i n g with h i m . It b r i n g s playtime a whole n e w meaning b y making i t social a n d interactive.

C u r i o u s about o t h e r s : A n e w face w a l k s into t h e room a n d your b a b y just c a n ’ t keep h i s eyes o f f that p e r s o n . If y o u hold h i m in y o u r arms a n d speak t o the s t r a n g e r you m a y notice y o u r baby t u r n i n g his h e a d to t a k e a l o o k at t h a t person. H e may e v e n respond t o the s t r a n g e r ’ s smile w i t h a s m i l e . Babies d e v e l o p a l e v e l of c u r i o s i t y towards s t r a n g e r s as l o n g as t h e y are i n a s e c u r e company o f a p a r e n t . But i f he i s left a l o n e with t h e unknown p e r s o n he m a y panic a n d cry.

T h e s e developmental m i l e s t o n e s are t h e ideal p h y s i c a l , mental a n d social a c h i e v e m e n t s at t h e age o f four m o n t h s . If y o u r baby d o e s not s h o w any o f these i t does n o t necessarily m e a n he h a s a p r o b l e m or i s lagging b e h i n d other i n f a n t s . Just l i k e adults, b a b i e s have p e r s o n a l i t i e s and m a y take t h e i r time t o understand a n d learn v a r i o u s nuances o f life. If h e cannot d o something t o d a y , he m i g h t do i t the n e x t week o r perhaps t h e next m o n t h . It i s just t h a t he i s taking h i s time.

W h e n To B e Concerned?

H o w e v e r , you s h o u l d be a l e r t if y o u observe c e r t a i n traits t h a t could i n d i c a t e serious d e v e l o p m e n t a l delays. F o l l o w i n g are t h e important o n e s :

L a c k s coordinated e y e movement, c a n ’ t move h i s gaze: The o c u l a r muscles t h a t control t h e eye m o v e m e n t are s t i l l developing, s o there m i g h t be s o m e lag i n the m o v e m e n t of t h e both t h e eyes. B u t if t h e baby h a s a s e r i o u s lack o f coordination a n d does n o t appear v i s u a l l y alert, t h e n there c o u l d be a problem.

D o e s not s m i l e at a l l : Smiling i s an i m p o r t a n t social a c t i v i t y and b y four m o n t h s , babies s m i l e at l e a s t at t h e i r parents. I f your b a b y has n e v e r smiled a n d seems s o c i a l l y detached e v e n with y o u and y o u r spouse, t h e n you m u s t get h i m checked b y a d o c t o r .

C a n ’ t hold t h e head s t e a d y : It i s not n o r m a l for b a b i e s to h a v e wobbly n e c k s by t h e fourth m o n t h . By n o w , they s h o u l d be a b l e to h o l d heads s t e a d y when h e l d in a r m s . If t h e baby i s not a b l e to d o so, t h e n it c o u l d be a n indicator o f a m u s c u l a r or p h y s i c a l problem.

H a s stiff a r m s , hands, a n d legs: He s h o u l d be a b l e to b r i n g hands t o mouth, h o l d items a n d shake t h e m and l a t c h on t o a f i n g e r or o b j e c t when p l a c e d in h i s palm. W h e n placed v e r t i c a l l y , he w i l l try t o put h i s weight o n his f e e t by e x e r t i n g a f o r c e towards t h e ground. I f his h a n d s and a r m s seem s t i f f in g e n e r a l then i t is d e f i n i t e l y a r e d flag.

M a k e s no s o u n d at a l l : Babies m a k e basic b a b b l i n g sounds b y the a g e of f o u r months a n d may e v e n make a t t e m p t s at i m i t a t i n g words s p o k e n by a parent. I f your b a b y does n o t make a sound a t all a n d in g e n e r a l seems s i l e n t then i t could b e an i n d i c a t o r of a hearing o r speech p r o b l e m . You m u s t take y o u r baby t o a d o c t o r if y o u notice s o m e t h i n g like t h i s .

A l w a y s remember t h a t any d e v e l o p m e n t a l delay i n your b a b y does n o t mean t h a t he d e f i n i t e l y has a problem. I t could s i m p l y mean t h a t your b a b y is t a k i n g time t o learn a n d grasp n e w skills. B u t if y o u r baby i s unable t o do s o m e t h i n g that b a b i e s of h i s age g e n e r a l l y are a b l e to d o then t h e question a r i s e s “Why i s he u n a b l e to d o so?”. T h e answer c o u l d be l e s s sinister t h a n you m a y imagine a n d it i s best t o leave i t to t h e diagnosis o f a m e d i c a l practitioner. T h e r e are a l w a y s things y o u can d o to p r o m p t and e n c o u r a g e 4 m o n t h old b a b y development b y following c e r t a i n best p r a c t i c e s .

5 Tips T o Improve T h e Development O f Your F o u r – M o n t h – O l d

S p e a k to y o u r baby as m u c h as y o u can. H e may n o t understand m u c h but h e definitely p i c k s up b a s i c words b y what h e hears f r o m his p a r e n t s (5). Y o u r baby’s g i b b e r i s h is a c t u a l l y his a t t e m p t s to r e p e a t the w o r d s and s e n t e n c e s that h e heard h i s parents s a y . In s o m e instances, b a b i e s also s a y simple w o r d s like ‘ m a m a ’ and ‘ d a d a ’ . If h e does s o , encourage h i m to r e p e a t the w o r d . This w i l l establish t h e sound a n d lip-tongue m o v e m e n t associated w i t h that w o r d .

R e f e r to h i s toys a n d individuals a r o u n d by t h e i r n a m e s o r relations. This w i l l teach h i m basic o b j e c t – n a m e association a l o n g with h e l p i n g him l e a r n new w o r d s . So t h e next t i m e you g i v e him a rattle s a y “Here i s a r a t t l e ” . When g r a n d m a arrives, s a y “Look i t ’ s grandma!” P o i n t at t h e object o r person t o make t h e context o f your s e n t e n c e more d e f i n i t e for t h e baby.

M a k e him s i t in y o u r lap a n d r e a d him t h r o u g h brightly i l l u s t r a t e d books. Bright c o l o r s and r i c h contrasts a t t r a c t 4-month-old b a b i e s and w i l l help i m p r o v e his s e n s e of v i s i o n .

H a v e active p l a y i n g sessions. Let y o u r baby h o l d one e n d of t h e toy w h i l e you s w a y the o t h e r end. Y o u can a l s o move h i s hands g e n t l y while s a y i n g nursery r h y m e s . Movements l i k e these w i l l help s t r e n g t h e n the m u s c l e s and j o i n t s of t h e baby. A c t i v e play t i m e is a great w a y for h i m to t r a i n his m u s c l e s to h a v e smoother a n d controlled m o v e m e n t s .

H a v i n g t u m m y time regularly c a n improve t h e baby’s c o n t r o l on h i s neck a n d back m u s c l e s thus s t r e n g t h e n i n g them. P l a c e objects o f interest a n d encourage y o u r baby t o reach o u t to t h e m . This w i l l be a great e x e r c i s e even f o r his a r m muscles. Y o u can m o v e the t o y s within h i s field o f vision t o make h i m move h i s neck a l o n g with t h e object t h a t can i m p r o v e his o b j e c t tracking c a p a b i l i t i e s .

T h e right a m o u n t of s t i m u l a t i o n can h e l p nurture y o u r four-month-old b a b y ’ s development. A baby i s most a t t a c h e d to h i s parents. T h e r e f o r e , it i s quite n a t u r a l for a four m o n t h old b a b y to l e a r n new s k i l l s from y o u every d a y . Maintain a healthy r o u t i n e of p l a y and s o c i a l i z e with h i m to k e e p your b a b y on t r a c k with h i s development. T h a t way h e is q u i t e likely t o surprise y o u with a new s k i l l every d a y and d o not f o r g e t to t a k e a s n a p the n e x t time h e shows o f f his n e w – f o u n d capabilities!

H a v e an e x p e r i e n c e to s h a r e about y o u r four-month-old? W e would l o v e to h e a r it. D o leave a comment b e l o w .

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