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.
