Normal Development: 4 Months Old


Here's what you might notice your baby doing between the ages of 4 months and 6 months of age.

Daily Activities

  • Is active, playful, and gregarious.
  • Reaches and grasps some objects.
  • Shakes rattle when placed in hand.
  • Carefully studies objects placed in hand.
  • Puts everything into mouth.
  • Plays contentedly with fingers and hands.
  • Usually sleeps through the night.
  • Acknowledges bottle gleefully.
  • Laughs and giggles while playing and socializing.
  • Basks in attention.
  • Just begins to realize objects exist even when out of sight.

Hearing

  • Turns head purposefully in response to human voice.
  • Smiles and coos when talked to.

Motor Skills

  • Rolls from side to side.
  • Holds up chest when lying on tummy.
  • Supports head when held in sitting position.
  • Sits with support for longer periods.
  • Enjoys using the legs in kicking motions.

Vision

  • Focuses clearly.
  • Fascinated with mirror image.


Each child is unique. It is therefore difficult to describe exactly what should be expected at each stage of a child's development. While certain behaviors and physical milestones tend to occur at certain ages, a wide spectrum of growth and behavior for each age is normal. These guidelines are offered as a way of showing a general progression through the developmental stages rather than as fixed requirements for normal development at specific ages. It is perfectly natural for a child to attain some milestones earlier and other milestones later than the general trend.

If you have any concerns related to your child's own pattern of development, check with your health care provider.

Pediatric Advisor 2006.4; Copyright © 2006 McKesson Corporation and/or one of its subsidiaries. All Rights Reserved. Written by Donna Warner Manczak, PhD, MPH and Robert Brayden, MD. This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.