Parenting and Behavioral

• This is an enjoyable time for you and your baby. He or she is more fun and less work. He or she is exploring more and trying to make contact with his or her surroundings.
• Continue to hold, cuddle, talk to, sing to and rock your baby as much as you can. Every interaction stimulates brain development. He or she needs an interested audience and a chance to use their laughing skills.
• Now is the time to think about getting your baby a playpen and some suitable toys to keep him or her entertained.
• Read brightly colored books to your baby. Reading is important to succeed as an adult and you can not start early enough.
• Since the 4-month-old infant is more active, spitting up is common at this age, so have a good supply of absorbent bibs to protect your baby's skin and clothing from being constantly wet.
• If the mother has returned to a second job outside the home, she needs to feel comfortable with the child care arrangements she has made for her baby.
• Parents need to keep in contact with friends and family to avoid social isolation.

Development

• A baby's development proceeds in a head to foot direction. At this age the typical child can hold his or her head high and raise the body on his or her hands while lying on his or her stomach.
• The 4-month-old baby keeps his or her hands open while at rest. He or she will play with his or her hands, bat at mobiles and reach for rattles. Any object he or she holds goes directly into his or her mouth.
• Most babies this age will show a clear preference for parents and other caregivers. They will turn toward a sound and recognize their parent's voices. Four-month-old infants babble, smile, laugh and squeal.
• The 4-month-old baby also begins to learn cause and effect. He or she shakes a rattle and it makes noise, you wind the mobile and it begins to move.

Feeding