Rolling over, reaching, grabbing and giggles — at 4 months old, your infant'south changing so fast that it'southward hard to go on up! Your infant'southward doctor will want to note every ambrosial new skill at this month's checkup, which will also include some other round of vaccines. Here'south what you lot tin can expect.

The physical checkup

It's checkup time — and that means you get to check out your petty 1's growth. Your infant's doctor will look at the overall trend of your baby's length, weight and head circumference measurements. Are your baby's length and weight increasing at a healthy step? Is he happy, active and alert? Is development on target?

If the respond to these questions is yes, and so whether he's in the 10th or the 90th percentile at his four-month visit doesn't matter ... he's just the right size for him!

Your doctor will also perform checks of baby's eyes, hearing and overall health.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that moms be screened for postpartum depression at the 4-month checkup, and then ask if you accept any questions well-nigh your moods or your partner's.

Developmental milestones

Your little ane does much of his developing while he sleeps — although you may be wondering when he'll develop the ability to sleep through the dark! Some (simply certainly not all) babies commencement to sleep for longer stretches at dark around 12 weeks, and some even sleep through the night.

The medico volition want to know all nearly your infant's slumber patterns, including naps and dark sleep, then keep notes handy. Your infant's doctor volition also desire to know if your infant is ...

  • Doing baby push-ups — raising his head and peradventure his chest while on his tummy
  • Rolling from tum to back; some babies will accept started flipping over, while others may not
  • Holding his head up when in your arms or even when held upright
  • Paying attention to small objects and trying to reach for everything he sees
  • Watching an object move in a 180-degree arc, from ane side to the other
  • Mixing up those blatant coos with some consonants and other sweet sounds (laughing! giggling!)

Remember, every baby is i-of-a-kind — and there'southward a broad range of normal when it comes to development. However, if y'all have any concerns nigh your little ane's milestones, brand certain yous check with your medico. You can also ask him or her about means to keep your baby's development on rail or boost information technology.

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four-month shots

With a cuddle, a favorite toy or pacifier, your baby will probable sail through this calendar month's vaccines.

Virtually will be the second dose in a series, and each ane of the recommended doses is vital in helping protect your piddling one against serious illnesses. Vaccines given at the 4-month visit include:

  • DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis)
  • Hib (haemophilus influenzae type b)
  • IPV (inactivated poliovirus)
  • PCV13 (pneumococcal disease)
  • RV (rotavirus)

Questions to inquire your doc

With new milestones, at that place are sure to exist new questions. Here are some things you may want to ask the pediatrician about at this well-babe visit:

  • My baby is starting to sleep for longer stretches overnight. Is it time to start sleep preparation?
  • He'southward drooling upward a storm and sucking on everything — could he be teething already?
  • My baby is starting to suck his thumb. Should I discourage him from doing it?
  • When should we transition him from a bassinet to a crib?
  • Is it safe to go on swaddling him?
  • How many poops should he be doing a day now?

As always, don't forget to make the adjacent appointment — this time for baby'southward vi-month visit — before leaving the medico's office.