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DEVELOPMENT

Daily Activities

Reaches and grasps some objects
Is active and playful
Plays contentedly with fingers and hands
Acknowledges bottle/breast gleefully
May start flirting and laughing when laughing or socializing
Just begins to realize objects exist even when out of sight

Motor Skills

Holds up head and chest when lying on tummy
May roll from side to side
Supports head when held in sitting position
May shake rattle when placed in hand
Head lag should be gone

Vision

Eyes have excellent focus with color vision
Brightly colored toys stimulate smiles
Fascinated with mirror image

Hearing

Turns head purposefully in response to human voice
Smiles and coos when talked to

FEEDING

Your baby still needs breast milk or infant formula to continue healthy growth. Most babies are taking approximately four ounces every three hours. Now is the time to introduce solids:

Start with rice cereal twice a day using a spoon.
Next, introduce yellow and orange vegetables. We recommend offering one vegetable for several consecutive days to ensure there is no reaction prior to moving on to the next.
Add the green vegetables in the same fashion. These may be more difficult as their taste is less appealing.
Now come the fruits. At this stage strive for variety.
We encourage three solid meals per day. Please avoid meats until six months. We’ll cover them later.

Always hold your baby during feeding time. This will help your baby learn that you are there to meet his/her needs.

Download more info on foods.

SAFETY TIPS

Never leave your child alone, except in a crib.
Avoid choking hazards and suffocation
Place your baby in the bed on his/her back ONLY.
Keep pillows, animals and extra blankets out of the crib.
Keep the crib sides up.
Never eat, drink, or carry anything hot while you are holding the baby
Never allow smoke near your baby.
Use an approved infant car safety seat. Follow instructions for proper installation. Parents should wear seat belts to set good example.
Avoid sunscreens and bug spray until six months

SLEEP

Most babies are sleeping through the night by 4 months of age and will also nap 4 to 6 hours during the daytime. Remember to place your baby in bed on his/her back.

TEETHING

Your baby may begin teething. The first tooth typically errupts between 5 & 7 months. While getting teeth, your baby may drool like a madman and chew on almost anything. A teething ring or partially frozen washcloth may come in handy!

NO WORRIES

Each child is unique. It is therefore difficult to describe exactly what should be expected at each stage of a child’s development. While certain behaviors and physical milestones tend to occur at certain ages, a wide spectrum of growth and behavior for each age is normal. These guidelines are offered as a way of showing a general progression through the developmental stages rather than
as fixed requirements for normal development at specific ages. It is perfectly natural for a child to attain some milestones earlier and others later as they continue to grow and learn.