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Baby’s 4th Month

The continuing development of language basics is an important milestone this month. You should also see her begin to understand that she can communicate with you. As a result, she’ll try all sorts of repetitive, high-pitched giggles, shrieks and noises as she shapes her mouth to change the sounds. You’ll start to hear her repeat one type of sound “such as ba-ba-ba” over and over as she practices. Any day now, your baby will also realize that people and things have a name, such as “Mama” and “milk” — which is a critical part of language development. If you call her by name, she may respond as she should begins to associate herself with it.

At four months, babies usually range from 23 inches long and 11 pounds) (10th percentile ) to 25.5 inches long and 15.75 pounds (90th percentile).

This month, your baby can also probably:

• Squeal and laugh with delight.

• Make “raspberry” sounds with her lips.

• Experiment by making new sounds.

• Make sounds in response to you.

• Track moving objects as her head and neck development work together.

• Roll over (usually from front to back) as muscles continue to develop.

• Raise herself up on straightened arms while lying on her tummy, looking all around as neck muscles strengthen.

• Grasp a rattle with stronger hand muscles.

• Bear weight on both legs.

• Start to sleep through the night.

• Begin to show interest in solid foods by reaching for mom and dad’s food at the table or other food in her line of sight. It’s important to begin Baby on the right solid food when she’s ready.

What you can do

To help further develop Baby’s language skills, spend some time each day repeating words to her. Repetition is a great way for babies to learn new words. Repeat her name, names of favorite toys and other objects she is interested in.

To help her efforts at mobility, place a clean blanket on the floor and watch her inch along. She may also raise her head and shoulders to look around. To help prepare her for sitting alone, practice pulling her to a sitting position from the floor.

You can work on your baby’s sensory and motor development at the same time: Give your 4-month-old toys she can grasp that also stimulate her senses, such as crib gyms or brightly-colored squeak toys and soft, bumpy textured items with knobs, handles and loops. Contrasting natural colors are a good choice now as her vision continues to improve. Four months of age is also a good time to introduce plastic pliable baby books that babies can grab and hold.

Baby’s 3rd Month

This third month heralds a time of incredible growth and psychological development as Baby adapts to life outside the womb. She’s probably not quite as fussy now that she has learned to feel safe in this new environment. In fact, this is the month when babies learn the important developmental lesson of trust by realizing that their needs are consistently met promptly. At the same time, they’ll start to consciously figure out that they can get their parents’ attention. This feeling of confidence allows them to focus on learning other important developmental skills.

At three months, babies usually range from 22 inches long and 9.75 pounds (10th percentile) to 24.5 inches long and 14 pounds (90th percentile).

This month, your baby may:

• Bring her hands together and reach for nearby objects as her coordination skills develop.

• Consciously unfold her tight fists.

• Suck on her fingers as she continues to explore her environment with her mouth.

• Practice focusing her eyes by maintaining eye contact with you.

• Her eyes are also continuing to develop. Although she has been able to see colors since birth, similar color tones can be hard for newborns to distinguish, which is why they first prefer black and white. By now, however, your baby will be able to perceive color differences more clearly, and she will prefer bright primary colors.

• Her eyes can also now focus on very small objects, and she will begin to follow you with her eyes.

• In addition, as her ability to locate and recognize sounds improves, she’ll be able to turn toward the sound of your familiar voice.

What you can do

To encourage her efforts at communication and her development of trust, you can talk, sing and hum, play music, and read to her. Moms instinctively speak to their babies in what pediatricians and psychologists call “motherese,” happy-sounding, high-pitched tones with lots of repetition. However, experts recommend avoiding the distortion or mispronunciation of words, such as “Does ooka-wookums want a widdle ba-ba?” Instead, encourage everyone, including big brothers and sisters, to give her a good example to follow by pronouncing words clearly and using short sentences and simple words.

I just realized I never posted about Laurens second month (which she just completed):

Baby’s 2nd Month

Your baby is even more alert now, and really taking in everything around her. During this month, some babies may begin to smile or coo as their way to communicate their preferences and emotions or to respond to familiar voices and sounds (like your voice.) By now, more than half of all babies can recognize their parents; as shown by the special reaction that moms and dads (versus strangers) receive from Baby. Remember, however, that there is no strict schedule for Baby’s development…every baby is different and develops according to her own unique timetable.

At two months, babies usually range from the 20.75 inches long and 8.5 pounds (10th percentile) to 23 inches long and 12.5 pounds (90th percentile).

This month, your baby will probably be able to:

• Respond to loud sounds by becoming completely silent, crying, or acting startled.

• Make cooing sounds.

• Repeat “ooh” and “aah.”

• Will move head or eyes toward the sound of your voice, showing that they recognize this familiar sound.

• Raise her chest and head using her arms for support while lying on her stomach.

• Roll over in one direction as she gets stronger.

• Focus on very small objects and follow (or “track”) objects with her eyes as her eye muscles continue to develop.

What you can do

To help Baby further develop her blossoming social interaction skills, try reading or singing to her. Provide her with a few bright, colorful objects such as a bold, black-and-white mobile or a soft stuffed toy. This face-to-face play will help you bond with Baby and help your child learn about herself and the world around her.

As you play, you’ll see her continue to gain more control and get stronger. This month, you might want to get down on a blanket on the floor with baby and play. Give her plenty of time to kick and move around.