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Baby at four months old, demonstrating increased mobility and movement.

4-Month-Old's Growing Skills

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Bobo Team  •  Child Development  •  2 min read

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Welcome to your baby's fourth month! This stage is filled with exciting developments as your little one continues to grow and explore the world around them. From increased mobility to enhanced communication skills, there's so much to celebrate. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the developmental milestones and healthcare considerations for your four-month-old baby.​

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Physical Development

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  • Increased Mobility: By four months, your baby may show signs of increased mobility, such as rolling over in both directions and pushing up on their arms during tummy time. Some babies may even begin to scoot or shuffle across the floor, demonstrating early signs of crawling.

  • Fine Motor Skills: Your baby's grasp becomes more refined, allowing them to reach for and manipulate objects with greater precision. Offer toys of varying textures, shapes, and sizes to encourage fine motor skill development.

  • Sitting Up: Around four months, some babies may start to develop the strength and balance needed to sit up with support. Provide plenty of supervised sitting practice to help them build core muscles and balance.

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Cognitive Development

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  • Curiosity and Exploration: Your baby's curiosity about the world around them continues to grow, leading to increased exploration and discovery. They may show interest in new objects, people, and sounds, actively seeking out stimulation.

  • Object Permanence: At four months, your baby begins to develop an understanding of object permanence—the concept that objects continue to exist even when they are out of sight. This milestone lays the foundation for future cognitive skills, such as problem-solving and memory.

  • Cause and Effect: Your baby may start to experiment with cause and effect relationships, such as reaching for a toy and realizing they can make it move. Encourage this discovery through interactive play and positive reinforcement.

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Social and Emotional Development

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  • Social Smiles and Laughter: Your baby's social interactions become more pronounced, with frequent smiles, laughs, and vocalizations in response to familiar faces and playful interactions. Enjoy these heartwarming moments of connection with your little one.

  • Attachment: As their bond with caregivers strengthens, your baby may show signs of separation anxiety when apart from familiar faces. Reassure them with gentle words and affection, and offer comfort during times of distress.

  • Early Communication: Your baby's communication skills continue to develop, with increased babbling and vocalizations. Respond to their sounds with attentive listening and encourage reciprocal communication through conversation and gestures.

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Healthcare Considerations

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​Schedule regular checkups with your healthcare provider to ensure your baby receives recommended vaccinations and monitor their growth and development. Your baby should have an appointment scheduled for this month, with the next one set for when they are 6 months old.

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  • Vaccinations: At four months, your baby may receive additional vaccinations as part of Manitoba's immunization schedule. At this age, babies typically receive the second dose of the following immunizations (as of March 2024):

  • DTaP-IPV-Hib (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b): The DTaP-IPV-Hib vaccine protects against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib).

  • Rotavirus Vaccine: Given orally, the rotavirus vaccine helps protect against severe diarrhea and vomiting caused by rotavirus infection.

  • Pneu-C-13 (Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine): The PCV vaccine protects against pneumococcal infections, including pneumonia (lungs), meningitis (covering of the brain), and bacteremia (blood). These infections can be life-threatening, particularly for infants, making vaccination essential.

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This information is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. We do not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from any information or advice contained here.
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/child-infant-health/postpartum-health-guide.html#a1.1

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