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Your Four Month Old Is Too Young to Obey You Now

Last Updated: September 26, 2008

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Parenting Tips for Your 4 Month Old Baby


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Can your baby obey you? It’s important for a child to obey her parents, but a 4- to 5-month-old does not understand what you say to her.

She hears your tone of voice and may sense that you are angry. Research shows that a baby this young is not able to control her actions long enough to do what you tell her. And your baby won’t be able to obey for some time.

Spanking or slapping her hand will only confuse her and won’t help. Being kind and gentle with your baby will help more than anything else. Your baby doesn’t do things on purpose yet, and she surely doesn’t do things to bother you.


Learn more about Your 4 Month Old Baby from Just In Time Parenting. You can also go to our Resource Links for additional information on child care and development.


Note to Parents: When reading this newsletter, remember: Every baby is different. Children may do things earlier or later than described here. This newsletter gives equal space and time to both sexes. If he or she is used, we are talking about all babies.
References: These materials were adapted by authors from Extension Just in Time Parenting Newsletters in California, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Tennessee, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, and Wisconsin.

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