Bye bye, baby blob stage. Welcome to month four, the beginning of what most seasoned parents would describe as the golden age of babyhood.
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Transcript:
Your baby is all smiles this month, and chances are, you will be too. Welcome to month four, the beginning of what most seasoned parents would describe as the golden age of babyhood: several months, or even more, of pure baby bliss. Bye bye, baby blob stage. See you later, screaming sessions. Hello bundle of expansive, responsive baby joy, smiles for miles, delight for days, personality plus, plus, plus.
And here's another plus: your newly social butterfly is still not independently mobile, which means she'll mostly stay where you put her, and as long as she has your attention, she's likely more than happy to do so. And as if that's not enough yummy to melt you into a pool of lovestruck slush, just wait until you hear the world's most delicious sound: your baby squealing, and even giggling. And it won't take much silliness to get that glee going, either.
Baby's an easy audience, and an eager performer. No more awkward face plants. Your baby will most likely be able to lift his head 90 degrees when he's on his belly, thanks to all that tummy time practice you've given him.
Other amazing milestones to look for, your baby will anticipate being lifted when you reach to pick her up, and she'll practically jump for joy as you do. She'll also likely be able to turn in the direction of a sound, like the sound of your very familiar voice, and soon, if she hasn't already, be able to roll over at least one way. Belly to back typically comes first. Watch your wriggler closely, so she doesn't roll into trouble.
You can help encourage these and other fantastic physical feats by continuing to offer plenty of supervised tummy time, but don't stop there. At playtime, get your baby moving by raising his hands up and down over his head, and back to that roly-poly belly. Add some activity into those endless diaper changes, too, by bicycling those dimply legs in a rhythmic way.
Adding to the joy, a new love of toys. Play gyms and activity mats, of course, but also sensory toys that trill or squeak or tweet or rattle when pressed or shaken. High on the fan favorite list are toys that play music, especially in reaction to your baby's movements, and because your little one is reaching for toys now, she'll especially adore any playthings she can grasp onto and shake.
Also this month is some welcome news for sleep-deprived parents. Some babies, but certainly not all, are able to sleep longer stretches at night. Think six to eight hours at a time. There's a really wide range of normal, but you can hopefully expect your sweet snoozer to take anywhere from two to four daytime naps, each lasting anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours. Baby's total sleep per 24-hour day, around 14 to 16 hours, still leaving plenty of time to play the day away. Here's to a happy fourth month.