At 4 months old, Baby isn’t walking or talking yet, but he might be babbling and sitting up quite a bit. Most experts recommend sticking to breast milk or formula for the first 4-6 months, which means solid food might be just around the corner for you and Baby.
At the appointment
Baby likely won’t be getting any new immunizations at this visit, but he will probably receive the second doses for all of the immunizations he had at his two-month well-child visit: haemophilus influenzae (Hib), pneumococcal conjugate, polio, rotavirus (RV), and DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis [whooping cough]).
The milestones the pediatrician or other healthcare provider will be looking for at this visit might include: smiling to get your attention, keeping his head steady while sitting up, rolling and reaching for objects, having a desire to play, calming down on his own, enjoying cuddling, using his arms to lift his chest, and babbling. Baby also might be at the stage where he can let you know what he likes and dislikes.
Questions to ask
Baby has always had a personality, but as he gets older, his preferences and disposition start to come out more. As Baby grows and develops, your questions will change as well. Feel free to continue to ask questions about nutrition, safety, development, and more. Some questions you might have include:
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Is it time to start solid food?
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How do I deal with potential allergens in solid food?
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Should I massage my baby, and how do I give a massage safely?
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How do I best introduce Baby to new people?
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What’s the difference between active and quiet play, and how do I encourage those things?
Sources
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“AAP Schedule of Well-Child Care Visits.” HealthyChildren.org. American Academy of Pediatrics. December 18, 2015. Web.
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“Well-child visits.” MedlinePlus. U.S. National Library of Medicine. February 5, 2015. Web.
