4 Month Well Child Check
Child development.
By this age your baby should be able to push themselves up for a little while on their belly. They should also be working on rolling over: some are able to roll both from front to back, and back to front; some can roll only one way; and some can only roll to their sides. While lying on their backs, they should be able to bring their hands together. Their vision is improving, and they should be able to follow objects with their eyes, and reach for things. They will have different cries for different needs, make cooing sounds, and quiet or smile when spoken to.
Child Growth.
We continue to plot your child on the growth chart. The average weight of a 4 month old is 14-15 pounds, but remember that every baby is different. Even two siblings in the same family can grow very differently.
General health.
We will examine your baby from head to toe. While we do this, we look for things that should be there – like the ability to hold their heads up as we pull them to sit. And we look for things that are out of place – such as a baby that is preferring to hold their head to one side. This is your chance to ask about things on your baby’s body that you have questions about.
The timing of solid food introduction is between 4 and 6 months. However, if you are concerned about food allergies it’s actually better to start foods earlier than later. Also, many babies are ready for ‘solids’ at this time. Just remember a few things: only give with a spoon because bottle feeders will have them eat too much, give about 4 days in between foods in case there’s a reaction, and make sure to start with the green vegetables because kids are more likely to eat them if greens are introduced first.
Health history.
This is where we keep up with any other clinics or doctors your child has visited, including any specialists you’ve been referred to. Please mention any time you’ve taken your child to an ER or Urgent Care, to make sure your doctor is aware of it.
Family history.
We will check with you to see if there are any changes in the family. This is a time to bring up any new illnesses in the family, such as diabetes or cancer.
Social history.
We’ll check with you to see if there have been any changes since the last visit.
Safety issues.
Continue to keep your child backward in the car seat while driving. Children are getting mobile, so make sure to never leave them alone anywhere they can fall. Make sure you check the water temperature before putting your baby in, and don’t leave them alone in the bath.
Caregiver questions and concerns.
This is the time to ask those questions you’ve written down on your phone or notepad.
Vaccines.
Vaccines at this age usually include DTaP, IPV, Hib, Prevnar, and Rotovirus.
Links.
Introducing solids from Mayo clinic.
