Developmental Checklist: 2-4 Months

Remember that all babies are individuals and develop at their own pace. Premature infants, especially, reach many milestones later than their same-age peers. This checklist should be used only to get a general sense for where your baby is or where he is heading. If you have any concerns about your child's development, consult with your physician.

Physical Development

• Pushes up head and upper back while on stomach, supporting on elbows.
• May propel with arm power on stomach to move a few inches.
• Reaches for objects.
• Selects items to hold, may transfer from hand to hand if desired.
• May roll from stomach to back.
• Held in sitting position, may keep head steady.
• Bears weight on and even bounces on legs when held to standing.
• Moro reflex/startle reflex may still be present
• Grasp reflex fades.

Intellectual Development

• May be startled and overwhelmed by new feats like rolling over.
• Learns to satisfy self by sucking hands.
• Sees variety of colors.
• Begins to understand cause and effect.
• Begins to develop short-term memory.
• Becomes aware of differences in depth and distance.
• Prefers human faces to non-face objects.
• Delights in own hands and feet.
• May sleep a seven- to nine-hour stretch at night.
• Attentive during day up to 15 minutes at a time.

Social And Emotional Development

• Uses smiling skills to communicate with caregivers.
• Laughs, squeals, gurgles, and whimpers in response to others' actions.
• Can be calmed by soothing voice, holding, or seeing the face of parent or familiar caregiver.
• Distinguishes parents from other caregivers, especially the mother; tries to get her attention.

Language Development

• May make vowel-consonant sound such as ah-goo.

Dr. Bettye M. Caldwell Ph.D. Professor of Pediatrics in Child Development and Education

Parenting advice is given as a suggestion only. We recommend you also consult your healthcare provider.