What to Expect from Your 4-Month-Old Baby: A Full Guide for Parents
The fourth month of your baby’s life is filled with exciting changes, deeper interactions, and rapid development. You’ve likely settled into a rhythm of feeding, sleeping, and diapering, and now your baby is starting to show more personality and engagement with the world around them.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about your 4-month-old’s development: from physical milestones and sleep routines to feeding guidance, sensory changes, playtime tips, and when to consult your pediatrician.
Physical Milestones
At four months, babies are building muscle strength and coordination. You’ll likely notice new physical developments like:
Head Control
By this age, most babies can hold their heads steady without support when sitting upright. This is a significant motor milestone that makes babywearing and supported sitting much easier.
Rolling Over
Many babies begin to roll from tummy to back. Rolling from back to tummy usually follows in the coming weeks. Make sure to give your baby plenty of supervised tummy time to support this.
Pushing Up with Arms
During tummy time, your baby may begin pushing up on their forearms or even straightening their elbows to lift their chest off the ground. These mini baby pushups build essential upper body strength.
Improved Hand-Eye Coordination
You’ll see your baby reaching for toys, batting at hanging objects, and maybe even bringing their hands together or grasping toys briefly. Everything goes into their mouth now, so always keep small objects out of reach.
Cognitive and Emotional Development
Your baby is beginning to understand the world in more complex ways. Their brain is growing rapidly, and their awareness of people and surroundings is more acute.
Recognition and Anticipation
They can recognize familiar faces and voices and may show excitement when they see you enter the room. They also begin to anticipate routines like getting excited before feeding or during bath time.
Cause and Effect
They may start to understand cause and effect in basic ways. For example, hitting a rattle makes a noise. These small discoveries are big learning moments for them.
Communication and Social Skills
Although your baby isn’t talking yet, their communication skills are blossoming. You might notice:
Cooing and Babbling
Expect lots of coos, gurgles, squeals, and babbles. This vocal experimentation is crucial for speech development. Respond to your baby to encourage conversation even if it’s mostly babble.
Mimicking Sounds and Faces
Your baby might try to imitate your expressions or sounds. If you stick out your tongue or smile, don’t be surprised if they try to do the same.
Emotional Expression
They’re learning to express joy, frustration, boredom, or discomfort. Smiles, giggles, and even little belly laughs may start happening more often now.
Sleep Patterns at 4 Months
This month is often when parents encounter the 4-month sleep regression, a developmental phase that may temporarily disrupt sleep.
Typical Sleep Schedule
• Total Sleep: Around 12 to 16 hours in a 24-hour period
• Night Sleep: 8 to 10 hours (though not always continuous)
• Naps: 3 to 4 naps during the day, lasting 30 minutes to 2 hours
Sleep Regression Signs
Your baby may start waking up more often at night, resisting naps, or becoming fussier. This is temporary and usually tied to developmental changes.
Tip: Create a consistent bedtime routine with a bath, book, feed, and lullaby to help signal sleep time and make transitions easier.
Feeding Your 4-Month-Old
At this stage, most babies are still exclusively breastfed or formula-fed. Solid foods usually aren’t introduced until 6 months, unless advised otherwise by a pediatrician.
Breastfeeding
Your baby may nurse every 3 to 4 hours, but patterns vary. Many babies become more efficient feeders at this age, finishing in less time than before.
Formula Feeding
Formula-fed babies typically take 4 to 6 ounces per feed, about every 3 to 4 hours. Some may start sleeping through one nighttime feed.
Growth Spurts
Your baby may go through a growth spurt around this time, leading to more frequent feeding. Follow their cues. It usually passes within a few days.
Tummy Time and Play
Play at this stage is about stimulation and connection. It’s also a crucial time to build your baby’s motor and sensory skills.
Tummy Time
Continue with at least 20 to 30 minutes of tummy time daily, broken up throughout the day. It strengthens neck, shoulder, and arm muscles necessary for crawling later.
Toys to Introduce
• Soft rattles
• High-contrast books
• Play mats with hanging toys
• Crinkle paper or fabric
• Unbreakable baby mirrors
These toys stimulate vision, touch, hearing, and coordination.
Playtime Routines
Babies thrive on predictable routines. A feed, play, and sleep pattern can help your baby feel more secure and support smoother transitions.
Signs of Teething
Some babies start teething around 4 months, though it’s more common between 6 to 9 months. If teething begins early, you might notice:
• Increased drooling
• Chewing on hands, toys, or clothing
• Irritability or disrupted sleep
• Slightly swollen gums
Offer a clean teething toy, gently massage the gums, or use a cold washcloth to soothe discomfort. Avoid teething gels unless prescribed.
Doctor Visits and Vaccinations
Your baby’s 4-month checkup is an important milestone. Expect the following:
Vaccinations
Your baby may receive:
• Second doses of DTaP, Hib, IPV, PCV, and rotavirus vaccines (depending on your country’s schedule)
Development Check
Your pediatrician will assess:
• Weight, length, and head circumference
• Muscle tone and reflexes
• Eye tracking and social responses
• Your concerns or observations
Be sure to ask about sleep routines, feeding habits, and anything else on your mind.
Tips for Parents
The 4-month mark can be both rewarding and exhausting. Here are some tips to help you thrive during this transition:
Take Breaks When You Can
Don’t feel guilty for needing a moment to yourself. Even a short walk or nap can recharge your energy.
Communicate with Your Partner
If you have a parenting partner, talk about roles, rest schedules, and any adjustments needed to manage regressions and developmental leaps.
Observe, Don’t Obsess
Every baby develops at their own pace. While milestones offer guidance, it's okay if your baby hits them a little early or a little late.
Start Thinking Ahead
You don’t need to introduce solids yet, but it’s a good time to research and prepare for that milestone in a couple of months.
When to Call Your Pediatrician
While many behaviors are normal, here are a few signs that warrant a doctor’s call:
• Your baby isn’t smiling or responding to your voice
• No head control at all
• Not tracking objects with their eyes
• Doesn’t bring hands to mouth
• Seems very floppy or stiff
• Refuses to feed or is losing weight
• Crying is constant and unable to be soothed
Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, it’s always best to consult your healthcare provider.
Final Thoughts
Month 4 is a magical period of discovery for both baby and parent. You’ll notice a deeper connection with your child as their personality begins to emerge, and they become more interactive each day. It’s a time of giggles, exploration, and even a little chaos.
Try to embrace the ups and downs. Document the small milestones. Celebrate the wins. And remember that you’re learning and growing right alongside your baby.
You’re doing great.
