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Your baby at 4 months

The CDC's 4-month checklist is full of holding, reaching and making sounds back. Play that gives your baby something to hold and someone to answer fits right in.

The CDC's milestone checklist for 4 months lists 13 things most babies (75% or more) do by 4 months, such as “Makes sounds like ‘oooo’, ‘aahh’ (cooing)” and “Holds a toy when you put it in his hand”. Many do them sooner. If your baby isn't doing one or more of them, or has lost a skill, the CDC says don't wait: talk with your child's doctor.

Checked October 29, 2026.

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

From the CDC's “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” checklist, Milestones by 4 months, word for word (CDC page dated May 15, 2026; checked October 29, 2026). These are things most children (75% or more) can do by 4 months. The CDC's page has a photo or video of each one.

Play today

  1. Hold and shake

    Put a light rattle in your baby's hand and let them hold and shake it. Then offer it to the other hand.

  2. Push-up time

    During tummy time, kneel in front of your baby and talk, so they push up on their forearms to see you.

    Safety: Only while your baby is awake and you're right there.

  3. Where's the voice?

    Talk from one side of your baby, then the other, and watch them turn toward your voice.

Things to say

  • “You chuckled! Was that funny?”
  • “Shake, shake, shake.”
  • “I'm over here now.”

Say it, then wait. Give your baby time to answer with a look, a sound or a word, and answer back.

A rhyme to share

Pat-a-Cake. Gently clap your baby's hands together, then "roll it" on their tummy.

The words are on Peabody's Nursery rhymes with lyrics list.

Questions parents ask about this age

Talk to your pediatrician if…

Your baby isn't doing one or more of the things on the CDC's 4-month list above, has lost a skill they once had, or you're worried for any reason.

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, act early. Talk with your child's doctor, share your concerns, and ask about developmental screening.

If you or the doctor are still concerned, the CDC says to ask for a referral to a specialist, and to call your state's early intervention program (find the number on the CDC's list). You do not need to wait for a doctor's referral or a medical diagnosis to make this call. If your child is younger than 3 years old, contact your local early intervention system.

More from the CDC: Concerned about your child's development? If your child seems unwell, call your pediatrician, or 911 in an emergency.

What the CDC suggests you share with the doctor

  • What are some things you and your baby do together?
  • What are some things your baby likes to do?
  • Is there anything your baby does or does not do that concerns you?
  • Has your baby lost any skills he/she once had?
  • Does your baby have any special healthcare needs or was he/she born prematurely?

From the CDC's Milestones by 4 months page. The CDC suggests filling in a milestone checklist and sharing it with your child's doctor; its Milestone Tracker app is free.

Peabody Parents

Your baby at 4 months

What most babies do by 4 months

  • 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
  • Makes sounds like “oooo”, “aahh” (cooing)
  • Makes sounds back when you talk to him
  • Turns head towards the sound of your voice
  • If hungry, opens mouth when he sees breast or bottle
  • Looks at her hands with interest
  • 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

Play today

  • Hold and shake
  • Push-up time
  • Where's the voice?

Say

  • “You chuckled! Was that funny?”
  • “Shake, shake, shake.”
  • “I'm over here now.”

Read or sing

Pat-a-Cake

Worried?

Talk to your pediatrician. Don't wait.

Milestones in the CDC's words, from “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” (most children, 75% or more, do these by that age). parent.peabody.kids/age/4-months

Sources