Your baby’s motor skills
In the 4th to 6th month of life, your baby gains new motor skills. This is the next step on the way to independent running.
Your baby consciously grabs objects
In the fourth month of life, your baby will begin to reach for things that you hold in front of his face. It kicks its legs and grabs the toys that you hold out to it in an uncoordinated manner, but slowly but surely. It also likes to grab your nose. The hands are discovered as toys and tools. Your child will learn to hold objects in their hands or even move them from one hand to the other. The speed with which your baby grabs also increases.
Tip : Glasses, jewellery, ears or even hair will now be of interest to your child. So don’t be surprised if you are constantly being pulled and may even hurt a little. Of course, your child does not want to intentionally hurt you. Just admonish them briefly in a calm tone.
Your baby kicks energetically
Your baby kicks more and more frequently and energetically. This strengthens your stomach and back muscles. Now it can also happen that it rolls onto its side. Therefore, you have to be careful, especially if your child is elevated. Many children fall off the changing table at the beginning of this phase, for example. It is therefore advisable to secure the baby well and never leave it unattended.
Your baby discovers rolling
Your child is now also discovering rolling as a new way to move. When rolling, your child will turn from back to side and back to back again. Your baby will practice this sequence so that later it can roll completely onto its stomach. When your child learns to roll depends on the motor development of your child and can take place at an earlier or later point in time. If it starts later, that is by no means a cause for concern. If you are still concerned, ask your pediatrician for advice.
It’s all about the balance
When your baby rolls back and forth, he has to try to find his balance. It learns to keep its balance. As a result, your baby can not only lift his head, but also his entire upper body from the surface better and better. It uses rowing with its legs and arms to maintain its position.
How is your baby developing?
Just click on our additional articles and find out how your baby is becoming more and more mobile.
In our “Learning to crawl and walk” section you will also find interesting background information and valuable tips on how you can help your baby learn to walk.