Health Encyclopedia

Developmental milestones record - 4 months

Definition

Typical 4-month-old infants are expected to develop certain physical and mental skills. These skills are called milestones.

Alternative Names

Normal childhood growth milestones - 4 months; Childhood growth milestones - 4 months; Growth milestones for children - 4 months

Information

All children develop a little differently. If you are concerned about your child's development, talk to your child's health care provider.

PHYSICAL AND MOTOR SKILLS

The typical 4-month-old baby should:

Show a slowing of weight gain to approximately 20 grams per day
Double the birth weight
Have almost no head lag while in a sitting position
Be able to sit up straight if propped
Raise head 90 degrees when placed on stomach
Be able to roll from front to back
Try to reach objects with hands (may commonly overshoot)
Hold and let go of an object
Play with rattle when it's placed in the hands, but won't be able to pick it up if dropped
Be able to grasp rattle with both hands
Be able to place objects in mouth
Sleep 9 to 10 hours at night with two naps (total of 14 - 16 hours per day)

SENSORY AND COGNITIVE SKILLS

A 4-month-old baby is expected to:

Have well-established close vision
Increase eye contact with parents and others
Have beginning hand-eye coordination
Be able to babble and coo
Be able to laugh out loud
Anticipate feeding when able to see a bottle (if bottle-fed)
Begin to show memory
Demand attention by fussing
Recognize parent voice or touch

PLAY

You can encourage development through play:

Place the baby in front of a mirror
Provide bright-colored toys to hold
Repeat sounds the infant makes
Help the infant roll over
Use a swing or stroller
Play on the stomach (tummy time)

References

Feigelman S. The first year. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elevier; 2007: chap 8.

Review Date:11/3/2008
Reviewed By:Jennifer K. Mannheim, CPNP, private practice, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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