Being a parent is indeed a blessing, and this realization will be quite evident as your baby steps into its fourth eventful month. The disarming smile and the incoherent babble certainly makes your world a more beautiful one. Check out this comprehensive guide to infant development at 4 months that details all its important aspects for you.
Every single month of your baby’s first year is time for quick growth when his brain and body is developing. If you are wondering how much a 4 month baby’s weight should be, simply double your baby’s birth weight to get a fair idea of an ideal weight. However, your baby’s weight gain is just one of the growth parameters. Speak to your doctor if you feel your baby’s face, thighs, arms or bottom doesn’t have much flesh or fat.
Your baby is now able to create some vocal sounds on his own and understands them too. Your little one may utter much-coveted words like mama or dada though he may not understand the meaning. Remember, your child’s imitation powers are growing, and he will mirror your words and actions, much to your delight.
Your baby will have doubled his weight by week 17, and his tummy is larger too. If you are breastfeeding him, 6 to 8 feeds a day is enough or 5 to 6 feeds if you include solids too. However, there will be many distractions now as he is alert to external sound and other stimuli. He will play with his hands and feet, use them to grab at things and can play alone for a longer time than before.
Your baby will begin to laugh and giggle although crying will still be his primary mode of communicating his needs. Funny faces, sounds and peek-a-boo games will excite and generate smiles all around. He will love to explore and play with simple objects like a piece of cloth or a rattle or a bell hanging over his baby crib. He is also able to distinguish between colours and shades and will show interest in coloured clothing, toys and books.
Your tiny tot’s spine is straightening and gaining support from surrounding muscles. This will help her to hold her head and lift her shoulders when you pick her up. Her vocabulary is growing too so you can prepare yourself for many incoherent babbling sessions that will go on for a while. Make sure you follow a routine that leads to slumber time. Feeding her, bathing her, reading a story to her or singing a lullaby can lead to a good night’s sleep for her and you too.
Your baby is now ready for the mandatory immunizations that a 4-month-old baby needs. It is also time to inform the doctor about any adverse reactions your baby has had from the initial vaccinations. The infant is yet prone to allergies so be careful if you are planning to introduce solid food at this stage. Ensure breast milk or formula is his primary source of food to allow him to get accustomed to the solid food slowly. Take care of nappy rash by keeping the skin as dry as possible. Use warm water to clean the baby’s bottom while changing the diaper.
The following are the important milestones your baby will achieve during his fourth month:
By the fourth month, the baby will be able to connect to you and the rest of the family too. Your baby will respond to other siblings in the same manner it responds to you. They are slowly learning whom to trust and whom to turn to when they need certain things. It is best to keep your little one away from television and other digital content as they do not need this kind of stimulation. You and the rest of your family are enough to provide the brain stimulation they need at four months.
Choose from any of the following activities that will help develop and keep your little one engaged. These four months’ baby activities are ideal to allow the baby to spend some time on his own and will provide a break for you too.
Your baby is four months old now and will begin kicking around, so it’s time to look at a few safety factors. Baby-proof the immediate vicinity by removing any objects that could topple over and ensure the place is well-sanitized too. Dust and grime are everywhere so make sure you regularly clean and wipe your baby’s bed and toys he handles. If a sleeping pattern is being developed, do not rock or feed your baby to put it to sleep. Let them learn to relax and fall to sleep on their own.
By the time your baby is four months old, the feeding process will have developed into an efficient one. Your baby’s feeding skills will have improved as their sucking and latching will be assured and deliberate now. Any difficulties related to feeding will be settled by now. Your infant’s development and nutritional needs will be provided through your breast milk or bottle milk when it is four months old. You can introduce solids at around 6 months when his gut is stronger, and the risk of allergies is lower too.
Your baby’s sleeping pattern will be more defined as she sleeps for smaller periods during the day and for longer and continuous periods during the night. You may think that if she sleeps less during the day, the night sleep will be for prolonged periods. However, day sleep influences night sleeps and will help your baby to develop a better sleep routine too. At this stage, your baby may protest when you try to settle her down for sleep, and this will be a new thing for you. Do not give in to it and keep doing all that you have been doing to get it to sleep. Involve your partner and get his help in putting the baby to sleep.
Here are a few tips for parents that will help to enhance the experience of nurturing a four-month-old baby:
Every baby is unique and has a different body structure and growth. Do not worry if your baby does not meet his milestones at the given time. For example, premature babies need more time to show ideal development. Speak to your doctor and understand the limitations you should consider while looking at your four-month-old babies development pattern.
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