All babies have their own timetable, but you can watch for certain developments in your 4-month-old. Celebrate with your baby as she reaches or nears these milestones.
Cognitive
Begins to distinguish full range of colors (blue and red seem to be favorites)
Interested in more complex patterns
Distance vision improves to about 20/40 (able to see people and objects across the room, but still prefers looking at people close-up)
Tracks quickly moving objects with eyes
Tracks an object from one side to the other (180 degrees) when held 6 inches above her face
Attention span increases
Discovers cause and effect
Begins to discover object permanence (an object is still there even when it can’t be seen, such as a toy dropped on the floor)
Motor
Holds head steady without support when held upright in your arms or on your lap
When on tummy, pushes up to elbows and arches back
May rock on tummy, waving arms and legs
May be able to roll from tummy to back
Coordinates hands and eyes (sees an object, then reaches for it)
Brings objects to mouth with good accuracy
Uses hands to explore body; may grab feet when lying on back
Grasps a rattle when held against fingers
Pushes legs down when held over a firm surface
Communication
Uses different cries to express hunger, pain, sleepiness, and boredom
Listens carefully to your language patterns and copies sounds
Babbling begins to sound more like real language
First laugh
May begin making more complex, two-syllable babbles that combine vowels and consonants (“ah-goo,†“bah-bahâ€)
Social
Watches faces closely; makes and maintains eye contact
Copies some facial expressions and movements, such as frowning and smiling
Expresses happiness upon seeing you
Can be soothed by your presence and voice when upset
