Alternative names 
Normal childhood growth milestones - 4 months; Childhood growth milestones - 4 months; Growth milestones for children - 4 months

Definition
This article describes the skills and growth markers relevant to 4 month-old infants.

Information

Physical and motor:

 
• Weight gain slows to approximately 20 grams per day  
• Moro reflex, asymmetric tonic neck reflex, rooting reflex, and Perez reflex disappearing  
• Almost no head lag while in a sitting position  
• Able to sit straight up if propped  
• Able to raise head 90 degrees when placed on stomach  
• Able to roll from back to one side  
• Tries to reach objects with hands, but commonly overshoots  
• Plays with rattle when placed in hands, but unable to pick it up if dropped  
• Grasps rattle with both hands  
• Able to place objects in mouth

Sensory and cognitive:

 
• Close vision well established  
• Eye-hand coordination beginning  
• Can make the consonant sounds:       o N       o K       o P       o G       o B  
• Laughs out loud  
• Anticipates feeding when able to see a bottle (if bottle-fed)  
• Begins to show memory  
• Demands attention by fussing

Play:

 
• Place the baby in front of a mirror  
• Provide bright colored toys to hold  
• Repeat sounds the infant makes  
• Help the infant roll over  
• Use a swing or stroller

Medical Encyclopedia

All ArmMed Media material is provided for information only and is neither advice nor a substitute for proper medical care. Consult a qualified healthcare professional who understands your particular history for individual concerns.