What’s It Like to be 4 Months Old?

How I Grow

• I turn my head in all directions.

• I lift my head forward when I’m on my back and grab my feet with my hands.

• I sit up with my head and back straight if you support my body.

• I prefer sitting, instead of lying down. It’s more interesting!

• I roll from side to side, and I might even be able to roll from my tummy to my back. Watch out! I could quickly roll off a counter, changing table, or bed.

• My reaching and grasping skills are getting better. At first, I had to look from my hand to the toy. As I get better, I grab for the toy without looking at my hands first.

• I try to move a toy from one hand to the other.

• I put things in my mouth.

• I splash and kick with my hands and feet while getting a bath.

How I Talk

• I babble and imitate sounds, such as coughing and clicking my tongue. Make the same sounds back to me.

• I coo, grin, or squeal with joy when you talk to me.

How I Understand

• My hands are so cool! I really like looking at them.

• I like some people, but I may be shy around others.

• I can remember where an object was hidden for a few seconds.

• I’m starting to learn that things go together. When I hear the water running, I look forward to splashing in my bathtub.

• I remember important people, such as Mom and Dad, from night to morning or even longer. I may have a favorite toy or blanket.

• I know if something is near or far. I’m more aware of depth and distance.

How I Feel

• I get excited when I have fun. Everything is a game to me.

• I may cry and get mad when you stop paying attention to me or take a toy away.

• I love it when you play music and dance with me.

• When you hug, kiss, and hold me, I feel loved.

Help Me Learn

• Put me on my tummy and hold up a toy for me to follow. This helps me learn to roll over.

• Blow soap bubbles for me to follow with my eyes.

• Read nursery rhymes to me. I like to listen to your voice.

• I like looking at myself in the mirror. Give me a kiss while both of us are looking in the mirror. Move me close to the mirror, then away. Let me touch the mirror.

• Play, “This little piggy…” with my toes or fingers.

• If I seem strong enough, encourage me to get on my hands and knees and rock my body. Show me what to do.

• Set me on the floor and hold me up. Let me try to sit alone and balance myself.

• Place toys out of my reach and ask me to get them. Watch me roll or scoot!

How Am I Doing?

Look back at last month’s newsletter list. Am I doing anything now that I wasn’t then? Look for my growth in each area, and gently help me to learn new things. If I was born preterm, use my due date, rather than my birth date, for keeping track of how I am developing. For more information on your baby's development, check out developmental milestones at the American Academy of Pediatrics Web site: http://www.aap.org/healthtopics/stages.cfm or the Centers for Disease Control at http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/actearly/.