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4-Month Infant Developmental Milestones

No two children develop, grow and learn in the same way or at the same pace. However, children do develop in certain predictable ways. Listed below are common developmental milestones for 4-month-old babies.

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Watch this video to see milestones and stages of development for 4-month-old babies and get ideas on how you support a baby's healthy development.

moving icon Moving - Physical or Motor Development

  • Holds head steady without support.
  • Grabs and shakes toys, brings hands to mouth.
  • Pushes down on legs when feet are placed on a hard surface.
  • Pushes up to elbows when lying on stomach.
  • Rocks from side to side and may roll over from tummy to back.

talking icon Talking - Communication and Language Development

  • Babbles and imitates sounds.
  • Laughs aloud.
  • Cries in different ways to show hunger, pain or being tired.

interacting icon Interacting - Social and Emotional Development

  • Smiles spontaneously, especially at people.
  • Shows excitement by waving arms and legs.
  • Calms and stops crying when comforted (most of the time).
  • Enjoys playing with people and imitating smiles and frowns.

thinking icon Thinking - Cognitive Development

  • Watches moving objects, moves eyes from side to side to watch.
  • Communicates if happy or sad.
  • Watches faces, looks at your face while feeding.
  • Reaches for toys and brings toys to mouth.

Resources

Help Me Grow has a variety of resources that can help you support the healthy development of a 4-month-old baby. Learn more about Infant and Toddler Intervention and Preschool Special Education services and discover other resources available to you.

Encouraging Healthy Development for a 4-Month-Old Baby

Ideas that can help you support the development of a 4-month-old baby.

Help Me Grow Articles

Articles that help you support the healthy development of a child.

Resources Directory

A directory of services provided for families of children with disabilities.

smiling baby and mom

If you have concerns about a child's development and think a child might need extra help to learn and grow, do not hesitate to refer a child.

The family will be contacted by the local school district to arrange for a screening or evaluation to determine if their child is eligible for Infant and Toddler Intervention or Preschool Special Education services in Minnesota.

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