Send to a Friend   Printer Friendly     

Milestones by the End of the 4th Month


Movement

  • Raises head and chest when lying on stomach
  • Supports upper body with arms when lying on stomach
  • Stretches legs out and kicks (on back or tummy)
  • Opens and shuts hands
  • Pushes down on her legs when placed on firm surface
  • Brings hand to mouth
  • Swipes at dangling objects
  • Grasps and shakes toys

Sight, Sound, and Speech

  • Watches faces intently
  • Follows moving objects
  • Begins to coordinate hands and eyes
  • Smiles at sound of your voice
  • Turns head toward direction of sound
  • Vocalizes (babbles, coos, imitates)

Social/Emotional

  • Develops social smile
  • Enjoys play with other people
  • Communicative/expressive with face and body
  • Imitates some movements and facial expressions

Watch List

Although each baby develops in her own individual way, failure to reach certain milestones may mean medical or developmental problems. Call your baby's health care provider if you notice any of the following in the 1 to 4 month range:

  • Still has startle (Moro) reflex after four months
  • Doesn't respond to loud sounds
  • Hasn't noticed her hands by age 2 months
  • Doesn't smile at the sound of your voice by age 2 months
  • Doesn't follow moving objects with her eyes by 2 to 3 months
  • Doesn't grasp/hold objects by 3 months
  • Doesn't smile at people by 3 months
  • Can't hold her head up well at 3 months
  • Doesn't reach for/grasp toys by 3 to 4 months
  • Isn't babbling by 3 to 4 months, or imitating your sounds by 4 months
  • Isn't bringing objects to her mouth by 3 to 4 months
  • Doesn't push down with her legs when feet are on firm surface by 4 months
  • Has difficulty moving one or both eyes in all directions
  • After 3 months, crosses her eyes most of the time (occasional eye-crossing is normal in the early months)
  • Ignores new faces or seems very frightened by new faces/surroundings

Continue to "Milestone: End of 7th Month" journey to parenthood


Most recent page update: 9/9/2010
© 2013 Childbirth Connection. All rights reserved.

Childbirth Connection is a national not-for-profit organization founded in 1918 as Maternity Center Association. Our mission is to improve the quality and value of maternity care through consumer engagement and health system transformation. Childbirth Connection promotes safe, effective and satisfying evidence-based maternity care and is a voice for the needs and interests of childbearing families.
News and Features
      Find us on Facebook logo  Tweet with us on Twitter

Listening to MothersSM III is the third national survey exploring women’s experiences in pregnancy and childbirth. Commissioned by Childbirth Connection, conducted by Harris Interactive, and funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the survey polled 2,400 women who gave birth in U.S. hospitals from 2011 to 2012. Results show that medically intensive experiences are typical, and evidence-based practices are underutilized. Childbearing women need better support and knowledge to navigate their maternity care.
Access the full report and supplementary materials

New Report: Maternity Care and Liability
Go to report and supporting materials

New Report: The Cost of Having a Baby in the United States
Go to report and supporting materials

New Cesarean Resources:
Go to Best Evidence Report
Go to web pages and booklet for women

 
For 95 years, Childbirth Connection has been dedicated to improving the quality and value of maternity care for all women and their families. Learn more about our rich history through our interactive timeline and give $95 for 95 in honor of our 95th birthday.
 
Childbirth Connection works to ensure that all women and babies get the best possible maternity care. We have the collective vision and we know how to get there, but we can't do it alone. Join the transformation today.

 
The Transforming Maternity Care website focuses on maternity care system improvements designed to engage diverse stakeholders in quality improvement efforts. The site offers full access to the landmark reports 2020 Vision and Blueprint for Action, features a Blog, and other resources such as an Action Center, a database of quality improvement projects, an interactive data center, and many more tools for advocates and stakeholders.

Sign up for monthly eNews from Childbirth Connection!

Join now!

Our Privacy Policy

Help Transform Maternity Care!
Help Transform Maternity Care! Please join our efforts to make quality maternity care a top national priority. Your support will help make the transformation possible.