Developmental milestones record - 4 months
Alternative names
Normal childhood growth milestones - 4 months; Childhood growth milestones - 4 months; Growth milestones for children - 4 months
Definition
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This article describes the skills and growth markers relevant to 4 month-old infants.
Information
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Physical and motor:
- Weight gain slows to approximately 20 grams per day
-
Moro reflex, asymmetric tonic neck reflex, rooting reflex, and Perez reflex disappearing
- Almost no head lag while in a sitting position
- Able to sit straight up if propped
- Able to raise head 90 degrees when placed on stomach
- Able to roll from back to one side
- Tries to reach objects with hands, but commonly overshoots
- Plays with rattle when placed in hands, but unable to pick it up if dropped
- Grasps rattle with both hands
- Able to place objects in mouth
Sensory and cognitive:
- Close vision well established
- Eye-hand coordination beginning
- Can make the consonant sounds:
- Laughs out loud
- Anticipates feeding when able to see a bottle (if bottle-fed)
- Begins to show memory
- Demands attention by fussing
Play:
- Place the baby in front of a mirror
- Provide bright colored toys to hold
- Repeat sounds the infant makes
- Help the infant roll over
- Use a swing or stroller
Update Date: 4/15/2003
Updated by: Elizabeth Hait, M.D., Department of Pediatrics, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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