4 Months Milestone
Rolling, reaching, and really engaging with the world
Is your baby approaching this milestone?
Calculate their exact age to track development stages and get personalized milestone reminders
Is your baby approaching this milestone?
Calculate their exact age to track development stages and get personalized milestone reminders
Day 120 of your baby's journey
Development Milestones
Track your baby's physical, cognitive, and social development at this milestone
Physical
- ✓Rolls from tummy to back consistently
- ✓May begin rolling from back to tummy
- ✓Sits with support and good head control
- ✓Bears weight on legs when supported standing
- ✓Reaches for and grasps toys with one hand
- ✓Brings objects to mouth for exploration
- ✓Develops better hand-eye coordination
- ✓May begin showing first signs of teething
Cognitive
- ✓Develops better distance vision and color perception
- ✓Tracks moving objects smoothly with eyes
- ✓Recognizes familiar faces from across the room
- ✓Responds to affection with smiles and coos
- ✓Shows interest in cause and effect
- ✓May experience 4-month sleep regression
- ✓Begins to understand object permanence basics
- ✓Shows improved memory for routines
Social
- ✓Spontaneous smiles and laughs more frequently
- ✓Enjoys social play and interaction
- ✓Cries when playtime ends
- ✓Begins showing preferences for certain people
- ✓May become more selective about who can comfort them
- ✓Expresses a wider range of emotions
- ✓Responds to emotions of others
- ✓May begin showing signs of separation anxiety
Development Tip
The 4-month mark often brings the famous '4-month sleep regression' as your baby's sleep cycles mature. This is temporary but can be challenging. Your baby is also becoming more aware of their environment and may be easily distracted during feeding. Consider feeding in a quiet, dimly lit room if distraction becomes an issue.
Parenting Guide
Expert guidance and activities for nurturing your baby's development
Daily Care
At 4 months, babies typically need 12-16 hours of sleep per day, including 2-3 naps. The 4-month sleep regression is common due to maturing sleep cycles. Some babies show readiness signs for solid foods, though most experts recommend waiting until 6 months. Teething may begin, causing increased drooling and fussiness.
Recommended Activities
- Rolling practice on a safe, flat surface
- Supported sitting with toys in reach
- Peekaboo with variations and surprises
- Texture exploration with safe materials
- Water play during bath time
- Outdoor walks with narration
- Music and movement activities
- Simple cause-and-effect toys
- Teething toys if showing signs
Parent Guide
The 4-month sleep regression requires patience and consistency. Maintain bedtime routines even if sleep is disrupted. This is not the time for sleep training - comfort your baby as needed. Begin thinking about baby-proofing as rolling means increased mobility. Watch for signs of solid food readiness but don't rush - most babies aren't ready until 6 months.
Celebrations & Memories
Cultural celebrations and memory-making ideas for this special milestone
Cultural Significance
Four months represents a transition period in many cultures, as babies become more robust and interactive. Some cultures begin introducing tastes of food, while others maintain exclusive milk feeding.
- Hindu Annaprashan preparation (first rice ceremony)
- Some cultures introduce blessed water or foods
- Often marks return to work for many parents
- Beginning of more regular social outings
- First swimming lessons in some countries
- Traditional blessing ceremonies for protection
Memory Recording
Photo Ideas
- First successful roll captured
- Sitting supported with toys
- Reaching and grasping achievements
Memory Tips
- First roll story and reaction
- Sleep regression experiences
- Favorite toys and play preferences
Cultural Note
The 4-month milestone varies significantly across cultures in terms of feeding practices. While Western medicine typically recommends exclusive breastfeeding until 6 months, many traditional cultures have ceremonies around 4 months involving symbolic food offerings, though actual feeding may not begin.
Recording Suggestion
Document the 4-month sleep regression journey - it's a challenging but temporary phase worth remembering. Create a photo series of your baby's rolling progression. Record their babbling conversations and different cries. Save a piece of clothing they've outgrown to remember how small they were.