4-Month-Old Baby Milestones

Developmental milestones are things most children (75% or more) can do by a certain age. By 4 months, most babies can smile to get your attention, make cooing sounds like "oooo" and "aahh," hold their head steady without support, and push up onto their elbows and forearms during tummy time. This checklist is based on the CDC "Learn the Signs. Act Early." milestone checklists (February 2022 revision). See the official CDC resources.

Important: These checklists are educational and for self-reflection only. They are not a substitute for standardized, validated developmental screening tools and are not a diagnostic instrument. If your child is not meeting milestones, has lost skills, or you have other concerns, talk with your child's doctor and ask about developmental screening.

What Most Babies Do by 4 Months

Social/Emotional Milestones

  • Smiles on his own to get your attention
  • Chuckles (not yet a full laugh) when you try to make him laugh
  • Looks at you, moves, or makes sounds to get or keep your attention

Language/Communication Milestones

  • Makes sounds like "oooo", "aahh" (cooing)
  • Makes sounds back when you talk to him
  • Turns head towards the sound of your voice

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

  • If hungry, opens mouth when he sees breast or bottle
  • Looks at her hands with interest

Movement/Physical Development Milestones

  • Holds head steady without support when you are holding him
  • Holds a toy when you put it in his hand
  • Uses his arm to swing at toys
  • Brings hands to mouth
  • Pushes up onto elbows/forearms when on tummy

Tips and Activities — What You Can Do for Your 4-Month-Old

As your baby's first teacher, you can help his or her learning and brain development. Try these simple tips and activities in a safe way. Talk with your baby's doctor and teachers if you have questions or for more ideas on how to help your baby's development.

  • Respond positively to your baby. Act excited, smile, and talk to him when he makes sounds. This teaches him to take turns "talking" back and forth in conversation.
  • Provide safe opportunities for your baby to reach for toys, kick at toys and explore what is around her. For example, put her on a blanket with safe toys.
  • Allow your baby to put safe things in his mouth to explore them. This is how babies learn. For example, let him see, hear, and touch things that are not sharp, hot, or small enough to choke on.

More Parenting Tips and Activities

  • Talk, read, and sing to your baby. This will help her learn to speak and understand words later.
  • Limit screen time (TV, phones, tablets, etc.) to video calling with loved ones. Screen time is not recommended for children younger than 2 years of age. Babies learn by talking, playing, and interacting with others.
  • Feed only breast milk or formula to your baby. Babies are not ready for other foods, water or other drinks for about the first 6 months of life.
  • Give your baby safe toys to play with that are easy to hold, like rattles or cloth books with colorful pictures for her age.
  • Let your baby have time to move and interact with people and objects throughout the day. Try not to keep your baby in swings, strollers, or bouncy seats for too long.
  • Set steady routines for sleeping and feeding.
  • Lay your baby on her back and show her a bright-colored toy. Move the toy slowly from left to right and up and down to see if she watches how the toy moves.
  • Sing and talk to your baby as you help her "exercise" (move her body) for a few minutes. Gently bend and move her arms and legs up and down.
  • Play with your baby by holding him securely under his arms with his feet on your lap. Let him bounce up and down.
  • Play games, such as peek-a-boo. You can cover your eyes with your hands and then uncover and say "peek-a-boo." Watch for your baby's smile or other signs he is enjoying the game.
  • Pay close attention to how your baby reacts to different things. This will help you learn what she likes and doesn't like and what makes her feel good.
  • Copy your baby's sounds and see how long your baby "talks" back and forth with you.
  • Call your baby by his name to help him learn it. He will start to recognize it around 9 months. For example, "Are you ticklish, Jordan?"
  • Playing on the floor or play mat with your baby every day helps him to move, learn, and explore.
  • Hold and talk to your baby; smile and be cheerful while you do.
  • Have quiet play times when you "read" or sing to your baby.

When to Share Concerns

You know your child best — don't wait. If your child is not meeting one or more milestones, has lost skills he or she once had, or you have other concerns:

  • Talk with your child's doctor, share your concerns, and ask about developmental screening.
  • If you or the doctor are still concerned, ask for a referral to a specialist, and contact your state or territory's early intervention program (U.S.) or a local child development professional.

Related Reading

References

Last updated: 2026-10-20

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