Your Four Month Old

Developmental Milestones*

• While lying on her belly, she can raise herself up on straightened arms and look all around.
• She can grasp a toy or swats at it in attempt to grab it.
• Baby smiles, laughs out loud, and squeals when excited.
• She pays attention to very small objects.
• Baby experiments by making new sounds. She recognizes parents and siblings.
• She is interested in her mirror image.

 *All babies develop differently.  If your 4-month-old hasn't yet reached these milestones, rest assured that she will soon. If you have concerns about your baby's development, please schedule an appointment.

Feeding

For breast-feeding mothers, your infant should feed every 3-4 hours for about 10-15 minutes on each breast.  Mom should drink around 2 quarts of liquid per day and continue prenatal vitamins. At this time, if your baby is exclusively breastfed, we recommend starting Enfamil Poly vi sol vitamins to be given daily.  These vitamins are available over the counter.  There is no need for water or anything else for your baby.  Please DO NOT give your baby any whole milk, chocolate, honey, orange juice, peanuts or seafood.

Formula fed babies will feed every 3-4 hours.   The amount per feeding will vary.  24-36 ounces in a 24-hour period is normal.  There is no need for water or anything else for your baby.  Please DO NOT give your baby any whole milk, chocolate, honey, orange juice, peanuts or seafood.  If your baby is consuming more than 36-40 ounces of formula per day regularly, please let us know.

We only recommend pear or prune juice for the treatment of constipation.  No other juices are necessary and can lead to tooth decay.

Bowel Movements/ Urine

• There is a wide variation on how often your baby poops and what the stools look like. Please inform us if the stools are watery, mucousy, hard as pebbles, red, or tarry black.
• Normally a baby will have 6-8 wet diapers per day.

Activity

• Please have your newborn sleep on their back, as this is the most important way to prevent sudden infant death syndrome.   Also, we advise not to have any stuffed animals or pillows in the bed with the babies.
• A car seat is very important, even for short trips. The car seat should be rear facing and in the back of the car.
• Avoid sun exposure since your baby’s skin is delicate and more likely to burn. Sunscreen is NOT advised until your infant is 6 months of age.
• Utilize insect netting when outdoors.  Insect repellent is NOT advised. 
• Have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and an escape plan.

Parental Support

Please remember that taking care of a baby can be difficult at times and downright exhausting.  Do not hesitate to ask for help if you need a break.  This is NORMAL.  Stay rested and eat well.  If you need to have someone watch your baby so you can sleep or eat, that is okay and strongly recommended.  If you feel you need help and do not have anyone to help you, please contact our office.

Vaccines

Your baby will receive immunizations during his or her 4-month visit.  Please visit the vaccine section of this website for more information on specific vaccines and their administration schedule.  You may Tylenol every 4 hours as needed for vaccine related fever/irritability. If the baby’s temperature goes above 103.0°F, please contact us immediately!