What is your baby doing?
- Holding her head steady when upright
- Reaching for objects with your help
- Staying put where you place her
- Looking in your direction when you call her name
- Recognising familiar people
What not to worry about - growth charts
It’s easy to become obsessed about your baby’s weight and height, however, growth charts only show how your baby is growing in comparison with other babies of the same age and gender. Meaning your child’s percentile measurements show where he is compared with others his own age. For example, if your 4 month-old’s in the 20th percentile for his weight that means that 20% of boys that age weigh less than he does and 80% weigh more.
How you can help your child at this age
- Introduce music to your baby via a baby class, as Susan Hallam, Professor of Education at the University of London, says: - “There is growing evidence that active involvement in music can have positive benefits for children’s intellectual and social development.”
- Think of toys that play music or can be played such as a rattle, baby Xylophone or a drum.
- Invest in a baby gym with hanging toys and bright shiny objects is especially useful as it will help your baby to move and reach upwards and encourage muscle strength in the neck and back.
- If your child is able to reach up and grab toys remember to remove the mobile over his cot as these are meant for young babies only and to be looked at - not handled.
Troubleshooting - “Do I really need to play with my baby while he’s so young?”
“Yes”, says Dr Andrew Raffles, Paediatrician & Developmental Specialist at Viveka, healthcare specialists for women and children www.viveka.co.uk, ”If a baby is under stimulated in any aspect of their development - be it physical, or learning skills, then they will be delayed - at least until the stimulation to that sense is restored. This is particularly true with children who are not stimulated physically, through play and gentle handling. They will have a delay in acquiring physical skills, such as balance and fine control of movement.”
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