4 Month Visit Preview

Preparing for the 4 Month Visit

Growth and Nutrition

  • We'll measure and discuss your baby's weight, length, and head circumference.
  • We plot those numbers on the growth chart to give you a visual of how he's changing from visit to visit.
  • Your provider cares about the percentiles, and how they compare to previous visits. We are looking for consistency from visit to visit. The actual numbers for weight, length, and head circumference are less important.

Starting Solid Foods

  • Most babies become ready to start solid foods between 4 and 6 months of life.
  • Please read our guides for starting solid foods to find out if your baby is ready to start solid foods and how to go about that process.
  • Don't worry if your baby isn't ready at 4 months, that's very normal!

Development

  • We'll watch and interact with your baby on his back and in tummy time.
  • The ideal location for tummy time is discussed in the 2 weeks to 2 month guide.
  • Everyone develops differently and at their own pace. That being said, if there's anything you're worried about, please bring it to our attention. See something, say something!

Physical Exam

  • Our examination includes a lot in a short amount of time. Please ask questions if you have them! All questions are good questions, and we want you to be involved in your baby's care.

Vaccines

  • Several vaccines are given at the 4 month visit. There will be 2 injections, and 1 liquid vaccine your baby will drink.
    • DTaP, Hib, Polio #2
    • Pneumococcal #2
    • Rotavirus #2 (oral)
    • RSV (rsv season only)
      • This is a seasonal vaccine and is only given if your baby did not receive it in the hospital and their birth mother did not receive it during pregnancy.
  • Please read our guides to common vaccine reactions and Tylenol dosing you can use if these reactions occur.
  • For babies older than 3 months, a fever is only concerning if >105ยบ F. Call the doctor if this happens.