Your 4-Month-Old: Already Communicating!

Your baby’s developing her own personality -- and sharing it with you.

By the end of month four, your baby might be laughing out loud and attempting to carry a conversation in coos! Try communicating with your baby and imitating her laugh. Keep in mind that this is also the time to start learning how the appropriate vaccines can help protect your baby from diseases.

Getting Reactive in Month 4

Every baby develops at a different rate! But there are a few exciting changes you can look forward to this month.

You shouldn’t be concerned if your 4-month-old baby does something later or earlier than other babies around the same age, because every baby progresses at a different pace. But here’s a general list of what your baby might be able to do around her fourth month:

• Roll from the stomach to the back, or vice versa.
• Bring both hands together.
• Laugh out loud.
• Look for the source of sounds.
• React to a room’s surroundings.

There are several ways you can help your baby develop language skills and understanding:

• Talk to your baby often as you dress, feed or bathe her.
• Provide quiet time (turning off the radio and TV).
• Encourage your baby to turn her head toward sounds.
  
• Repeat sounds often and try to get your baby to mimic them.

Support Your Baby’s Immunity

Make sure your 4-month-old is getting the nutrients she needs for a healthy immune system.

Whether you choose to breastfeed or formula feed, your baby’s immune system needs important nutrients. Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, vitamins, minerals and other nutritional compounds are important for a healthy immune system.

Here is how various nutrients support your baby’s immune system:

• Carbohydrates, proteins and lipids are macronutrients that supply energy, provide cell membrane structure and promote growth and development.
• Vitamins and minerals are essential factors in many key metabolic processes that occur in our bodies. For example, zinc plays an essential role in the normal growth and function of many cells and tissues, including immune cells.
• Nucleotides are important substances that serve as the basic structural unit of DNA and help build and repair cells. They are especially essential during times of rapid growth and development, such as infancy. Dietary nucleotides are found in high concentration in breast milk and are a vital supplement in formulas. They can help our bodies build antibodies, which are an important part of our immune defenses.

Is Your 4-month-old Baby Sleeping Sounder?

What to expect from your baby’s sleep patterns this month.

• Your baby might sleep about 12-15 hours total every day, including naps.
• Baby might start rolling over and waking herself up. If possible, give your baby a few minutes to see if she goes back to sleep on her own.
• Keep thick blankets, comforters, pillows and stuffed toys out of your baby’s crib.