BABY
The Developmental Leap From Four Days to Four Months
…it’s a lot more significant than you might think!
Written by
Dr. Harvey Karp
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PARENT PICKS
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BABY
Written by
Dr. Harvey Karp
SHARE THIS ARTICLE
Bestsellers
At prenatal classes, I often asked expecting parents to list the differences between 4-day-olds and 4-month-olds. Many of the first-timers thought it was a silly question and would laughingly say, “Ha! Not much! They’re all little babies.” But the experienced parents would pipe up and say, “You have no idea!”
Newborns are beautiful, but their abilities are quite limited. Four-day-olds can barely coo or turn their heads to see who’s speaking. By contrast, 4-month-olds’ delicious smiles and glowing eyes reach out like a personal invitation.
Months and months may pass in our lives without a whole lot of change. But during the first four months of life, your baby will make amazing leaps in development. While all babies are unique and may not all hit milestones at the exact same time, here are some big leaps to expect between day four and month four:
These extraordinary weeks will speed by faster than you can possibly imagine! So enjoy cuddling and carrying your sweet newborn as you make the most of these months.
Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider. Breastmilk is the best source of nutrition for babies. It is important that, in preparation for and during breastfeeding, mothers eat a healthy, balanced diet. Combined breast- and bottle-feeding in the first weeks of life may reduce the supply of a mother's breastmilk and reversing the decision not to breastfeed is difficult. If you do decide to use infant formula, you should follow instructions carefully.
