What to Expect During This Visit
Your doctor and/or nurse will probably:
1. Check your baby's weight, length, and head circumference and
plot the measurements on the growth
charts.
2. Ask questions, address concerns, and offer advice about how
your baby is:
Feeding. Breast milk or formula is still all your baby needs.
Iron-fortified cereal or puréed meats can be introduced when your baby is ready
for solid foods at about 6 months of age. Talk with your doctor before starting
any solids.
Peeing and pooping. Babies this age should have several wet diapers a day and regular
bowel movements. Some may poop every day; others may poop every few days. This is
normal as long as stools are soft. Let your doctor know if they become hard, dry,
or difficult to pass.
Sleeping. At this age, babies
sleep about 12 to 16 hours a day, with two or three daytime naps. Most babies
have a stretch of sleep for 5 or 6 hours at night. Some infants, particularly those
who are breastfed, may wake more often.
Developing. By 4 months, it's common for many babies to:
- turn when they hear voices
- smile, laugh, and squeal
- "coo" in response to your "coos"
- bring hands together in front of chest
- reach for and grasp
objects
- have good head control when sitting
- hold up head and chest, supporting themselves on arms, while on tummy
- roll from front to back
There's a wide range of normal and children develop at different rates. Talk to
your doctor if you're concerned about your child's development.
3. Do a physical
exam with your baby undressed while you are present. This will include
an eye exam, listening to your baby's heart and feeling pulses, checking hips, and
paying attention to your baby's movements.
4. Update immunizations. Immunizations
can protect infants from serious childhood illnesses, so it's important that your
baby get them on time. Immunization schedules can vary from office to office, so talk
to your doctor about what to expect.