As a new mom, you may be wondering what development milestones to expect from your four-month-old baby. At this stage, your little one is growing and changing at a rapid rate, and there are several exciting milestones your baby will reach. Here are some of the things you can expect from your four-month-old.
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Physical Milestones
At four months old, your baby’s physical development is rapidly progressing. Your baby is gaining strength and control of their muscles and starting to move around more. Here are some of the physical milestones to expect:
- Rolling over: Many babies will start rolling over from their belly to back and vice versa at four months old.
- Sitting up: Your baby will be able to sit up with support from you or a pillow.
- Grabbing: Your baby will start to grab and hold onto objects, and they will enjoy reaching for toys and playing with them.
- Baby talk: Your baby will start to make more sounds and attempt to mimic your speech.
Social Milestones
At four months old, your baby’s social development is also progressing. Your baby is starting to become more aware of the world around them and will begin to interact with you and others in new ways. Here are some of the social milestones to expect:
- Smiling: Your baby will start to smile more often, and their smiles will become more responsive to your smiles and actions.
- Eye contact: Your baby will start to make more eye contact with you and others and will follow moving objects with their eyes.
- Recognizing faces: Your baby will start to recognize familiar faces and may become upset when separated from you or another caregiver.
- Babbling: Your baby will start to babble more and will enjoy making new sounds with their mouth.
Feeding Milestones
At four months old, your baby’s feeding routine is also changing. Your baby is becoming more aware of hunger and fullness and may start to show preferences for certain foods or feeding positions. Here are some of the feeding milestones to expect:
- Breastfeeding or bottle-feeding: Your baby will continue to breastfeed or bottle-feed, but they may start to become more efficient at feeding and take shorter feeding sessions.
- Solid foods: If your baby is ready, you can introduce solid foods around four to six months old. Your baby may start with pureed vegetables or fruits and then gradually move to other textures.
- Self-feeding: Your baby may start to show an interest in feeding themselves and may attempt to hold a spoon or finger foods.
Remember that every baby is unique, and not all babies reach milestones at the same time. Don’t worry if your baby is not hitting all of these milestones exactly at four months old. If you have concerns, talk to your pediatrician for guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Should I be concerned if my baby is not rolling over at four months old?
A: No, not all babies will roll over at four months old. Some may take a little longer to develop this skill, and that’s okay. However, if your baby is not rolling over by six or seven months old, talk to your pediatrician.
Q: When should I start giving my baby solid foods?
A: Most babies are ready to start solid foods around four to six months old, but it’s important to talk to your pediatrician first. They can help guide you on when and how to introduce solid foods.
Q: How often should I be breastfeeding or bottle-feeding my four-month-old?
A: Your baby’s feeding schedule will vary, but on average, most four-month-olds will breastfeed or bottle-feed six to eight times a day.
Q: Is it normal for my baby to become upset when separated from me or their caregiver at four months old?
A: Yes, separation anxiety is a normal part of your baby’s development at this age. Your baby is becoming more aware of their surroundings and may become upset when separated from you or their other primary caregiver. This is a sign that your baby is forming secure attachments, which is a positive step in their development.
Q: When should I expect my baby to start crawling?
A: Every baby is different, but most babies start crawling between six and ten months old. Some babies may skip crawling altogether and go straight to walking.