Four months feels like such a big shift. There is more movement, more personality, more awareness, and a whole new level of engagement with the world. This month was full of new skills, rolling in every direction, lots of squeals, and a little taste of the sleep regression.
Here is everything we experienced during this phase and what helped us find a good rhythm.
Feeding at 4 Months
Her feedings felt predictable and steady this month. We were still doing breast milk, and because of her reflux, our routine stayed the same.
Each feed followed this same flow:
- Diaper
- Bottle
- Upright for 20 minutes
- Play or activity
- Down for the next nap
She continued taking 4 to 5 ounces per feed, which was the range she was most comfortable with.
At our 4 month appointment, our pediatrician also told us she could start trying purees, and that opened a whole new adventure. We started slow and followed her cues, but watching her reactions to new flavors has been so fun.
Wake Windows and Playtime
Her wake windows stretched to 1 hour and 45 minutes, which gave us more time for play and exploration. This is when toys became interesting and she developed strong preferences.
Her favorite things this month:
- Reaching for and holding toys
- Chewing on her ChooKaChoo Silicone Teething Mitten
- Playing on her Infinno Inflatable Tummy Time Water Play Mat
- Baby’s Black and White Contrast Book
- Sitting supported and watching everything
- Lots of face-to-face talking
One of the sweetest developments was her hands-to-feet discovery. She grabbed her feet constantly and studied them, and this little skill actually showed up before she started rolling from back to belly.
Sleep at 4 Months
The 4 month sleep regression made a mild appearance for us. Naps suddenly shortened to 30 minutes and she sometimes needed help settling.
At night, instead of full wakeups, she would start her day early with excited 4am or 5am chatting sessions. We would hear her on the monitor squealing and practicing her new sounds before falling asleep again. Only once did she not go back down, and on that morning we fed her early, played a little, did a nap, and then got her back onto her regular routine by the next feed.
She also started rolling onto her belly for naps, which was stressful the first time. But once we saw she slept better that way, we relaxed into it.
Another funny sleep development was leg thumping. When she was excited or trying to settle, she would kick her legs up and thump them onto the mattress. It became her little way of working through energy.
Since she had been rolling from tummy to back for a while, she was already in a sleep sack this month. Our favorites continue to be KYTE BABY Unisex Rayon Sleeping Bag for Babies and Toddlers, 1.0 Tog , PurComfy Supersoft Sleep Sack 1.0 TOG as the dupe, and Quince Bamboo Sleep Bag 1.0 TOG for a lightweight option.
Developmental Milestones We Saw
This month brought so many new skills and discoveries.
Rolling back to belly She had been rolling from belly to back for a while, but once she hit 4 months, she suddenly figured out back to belly almost instantly.
Hands to feet This became her favorite skill. She grabbed her feet constantly and loved exploring them.
Leg thumping A new self-soothing habit that showed up this month. She did it going down for naps or waking up.
Belly sleeping for naps Once she learned to roll confidently, she started sleeping on her belly during naps. And she slept better that way.
Happy squeals Lots of loud, joyful squeals as she experimented with her voice.
Stronger head and neck control She felt sturdy in supported sitting and pushed up more confidently during tummy time.
Our Daily Rhythm at 4 Months
Here is what our days roughly looked like this month:
6am Diaper, feed, upright 20 minutes, short play, nap
9am Diaper, feed, upright 20 minutes, stroller walk or tummy time
12pm Diaper, feed, upright 20 minutes, play
3pm Diaper, feed, upright 20 minutes, activity time
6pm Diaper, feed, upright 20 minutes, calm play or bath
9pm Diaper, feed, upright 20 minutes, down for bed with the red night lights on
We stayed flexible with naps because of the regression, but this rhythm helped anchor our days.
A Few Final Thoughts
Four months is such a fun and full month. The sleep shifts can be unpredictable, but the new skills and personality changes make it worth every long day. Seeing her roll in both directions, discover her feet, squeal with so much joy, and settle into new patterns reminded me how fast babies grow and how special each phase is.
Even on the days that felt a little off, this month came with so much sweetness.