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What to expect at 2 to 4 months
As your baby grows you will see them develop physically and mentally. They will get bigger and learn new things.
At 2 to 4 months, your baby should start to:
- sit up with a little help
- have better control of their head
- use their hands to push themselves up and roll from their tummy to their back
- put their hand in their mouth
- start moving around by crawling
- reach out to grab things like toys and your hair
- turn their head to sounds like your voice.
What can my baby do between 2 to 4 months?
Seeing and watching
Babies love to watch your face. When you smile or make funny faces, they will try to do the same. Try not to change your expressions too quickly.
Seeing (vision)
Most babies should be able to:
- blink if you move your hand fast near their face
- enjoy looking outside through a window.
Babies can also:
- see detailed things and can tell different faces apart
- start to see colours better around 4 to 5 months and see different shapes.
Sounds and talking
Babies are curious about all kinds of sounds. They like it when you play music or sing lullabies and nursery rhymes to them. These different noises help their brain develop. Reading books is another fun way to play with your baby.
Hearing
Most babies should be able to:
- get surprised by sudden loud noises
- know the voices of people who take care of them, like mum, dad or grandparents
- watch people's mouths when they talk
- recognise and identify people they know by hearing their voice
- turn their head to where a sound is coming from
- tell if music is going faster or slower.
Language - talking and making sounds
Most babies should be able to:
- start making sounds like "ba-ba"
- copy the sounds they hear
- cry differently when they are hungry, in pain or sleepy.
Moving and playing
Moving and playing is important for babies at this age. They can lay on their tummy on the floor or sit up with pillows around them for support. Gentle exercises like rolling are fun for them. It is great for their growth and helps them sleep better. They love it when you play with them.
Physical development and skills
Most babies should be able to:
- keep their head up without help
- push with their legs if they are on a hard floor
- roll over from their tummy to their back
- grab and shake toys and bring their hands to their mouth.
Social/ emotional
Most babies should be able to:
- smile on their own, especially at people
- play with people
- show you when they are happy or sad
- enjoy hugs and cuddles
- pay attention and learn from what they see and hear
It is good for your baby to have different things to do and hear. Talking, playing, and taking care of them helps them grow and learn.
If you are worried about your child’s development, talk to your maternal, child and family health nurse or family doctor.
