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The 4th month
If you look at pictures of your baby shortly after birth, your child will probably already look really big to you. And indeed, their development from when they were a newborn to now is more than impressive. Now growth slows down somewhat and motor development takes centre stage: the little person becomes more and more lively and active – their personality starts to shine through.
The 4th month in brief
- Growth now slows down somewhat and motor development takes centre stage.
- Movements become more targeted and your baby may already be practising turning.
- Sounds are exciting and lots of fun for babies – regardless of whether they produce them themselves or are sung to.
- The internal clock develops and the baby can distinguish between day and night. But very few children sleep through the night at this age.
- Don’t forget yourself: parents also have needs and it is very important to tend to them.
More movement and more sounds
Your baby will become stronger, more mobile and move in a more coordinated way. Perhaps they will already try to prop themselves up on their arms in the prone position or actively roll over into the supine position. The hands are still very interesting – they reach for things and grab them. But they may still need your help to let go: the grasping reflex is quite dominant. You can gently release their fist to help them out. The mouth is also still an important tool for exploring the environment, and your baby will probably put their hands in their mouth a lot. And they’re not just fascinated by what goes in, but also what comes out: many babies are now babbling happily or squeaking and gurgling and are delighted with this new ability. Your baby will also love it if you talk to them, sing to them or make funny noises yourself. You will notice that their facial expressions are also changing: feelings such as joy, sadness or frustration can be recognised more and more clearly.
The internal clock
Now that your baby is also slowly learning to distinguish between day and night, their internal clock is developing. This time often brings a little more rhythm to everyday life. However, very few babies sleep through the night at this age. This is completely normal and nothing to worry about – even if many parents long for quieter nights. If you have the feeling that your baby is not getting any rest at night, you can talk to the midwife or paediatrician about it or ask at the mother and father counselling service. You’re sure to have helpful tips on how to make everyone’s nights a little more relaxed.
Discovery moment of the month: “baby activity arch”
A baby activity arch is a welcome change of scenery for your baby. There are many different models, but the basic idea behind them all is that various toys – for example with bells, mirrors and different materials – dangle above the child’s head and the baby can lie around underneath it and play. This not only promotes development and provides entertainment, but also gives parents a moment to take a breather.
