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4 month milestones
Here are the CDC milestones most babies reach around 4 months.
Social and emotional
- Smiles on their own to get your attention.
- Chuckles when you try to make them laugh.
- Looks at you, moves, or makes sounds to get or keep your attention.
Language and communication
- Makes cooing sounds like oooo and aahh.
- Makes sounds back when you talk to them.
- Turns head toward the sound of your voice.
Cognitive
- If hungry, opens mouth when they see a breast or bottle.
- Looks at their hands with interest.
Movement and physical
- Holds head steady without support when you are holding them.
- Holds a toy when you put it in their hand.
- Brings hands to mouth.
- Pushes up onto elbows and forearms during tummy time.
Common questions
What should a 4 month old baby be doing?
Around 4 months, most babies: smiles on their own to get your attention; makes cooing sounds like oooo and aahh; if hungry, opens mouth when they see a breast or bottle; holds head steady without support when you are holding them. Every baby grows at their own pace, within a range of time.
What if my baby was born early?
Most pediatricians count milestones from the due date, not the birth date, until about 2 years. That is called corrected age, and it is how Bobbychips counts milestones too.
What if my baby is not doing these things yet?
Most children reach each milestone within a range of time, so one missing item is not a verdict. If you have questions, or your baby has lost a skill they once had, talk to your pediatrician. The CDC's advice is to act early rather than wait.
The day at this age, in numbers: 4 and 5 month old schedule.
Every baby grows at their own pace, and these are general guides, not medical advice. If you ever have questions about how your baby is growing or developing, your pediatrician is the best person to ask.
Sources: the CDC's Learn the Signs. Act Early. milestone checklists and the World Health Organization's infant and young child feeding guidance.
A guide like this, on the day
Bobbychips emails a guide like this one when your baby reaches each of these ages, counted from the due date for a baby born early, and keeps a checklist of the milestones in the app.