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Original poster

4 month old won't play

37 replies

violuhts · 27/05/2022 16:22

i've seen so many mums post videos of their 3/4 month olds playing during tummy time, rolling over, playing sensory activities and generally entertaining themselves, whether that be holding things or playing with toys.

my 4 month old, refuses to hold anything, even his bottle, i try to get him to hold it with me, but he won't. he doesn't enjoy tummy time and the only way to do it is lay down so he's looking at me or show him pictures, he doesn't reach out for any toys during.

he doesn't reach for things and doesn't seem interested in any activities, just wants to look at the tv, i've got to turn it off or he won't stop staring at it.

any advice on what i should do? i know all babies develop at different stages, should i be worried or should i keep trying to get him to interact with things? dangling toys in front of him playing with him?

TIA x

OP posts:
Nightmanagerfan · 27/05/2022 16:22

It’s completely normal. Relax and enjoy your baby.

Ohbother · 27/05/2022 16:24

4 months is teeny tiny, they do very little at this age.

Ineedmorestones · 27/05/2022 16:24

No you shouldn’t be worried. He’s still very young. He will do things in his own time. However to put your mind at ease you can ask to speak to your health visitor, that’s what they’re there for.

Just enjoy him being still, once he starts he won’t stop!

20viona · 27/05/2022 16:25

4 months old do nothing.

RochelleGoyle · 27/05/2022 16:25

He is still really young OP and this is completely normal.

jamoncrumpets · 27/05/2022 16:25

A four month old baby can't play. So those videos are of people playing AT four month old babies.

Mummyratbag · 27/05/2022 16:27

4 month olds eat, sleep, poo and dribble - that's about it.

EdithGrantham · 27/05/2022 16:28

Completely normal, definitely turn the TV off when you can as some babies are seemingly hypnotised by it which obviously isn't great!
I did a bit of dangling toys/shaking instruments/reading stories/singing songs with my DD at that stage but mostly she just chilled out under her play gym or on a mat whilst I did stuff around her like washing up or laundry.
Enjoy this stage whilst it lasts as before you know it he'll be in to everything and you'll be chasing after him saying "Nooo, don't put cat food/a shoe/that tiny bit of grit you've found in your mouth" 😆

dontyoubother · 27/05/2022 16:31

If you look for long enough you'll no doubt find videos of 4 month olds playing the piano and speaking two languages, neither of mine did much at 4 months old, the internet is full of videos which make you feel shit.

SpringBadger · 27/05/2022 16:32

Very normal not to enjoy tummy time. Also 3/4 months old is a bit young for rolling over, are you sure these babies in the videos are not a tad older? You will probably see a lot of change in him in the next couple of months, try and focus on what is changing rather than what he doesn't yet do. See what he's interested in rather than dangling things in front of him. His brain is probably really busy just taking things in.

neverwakeasleepingbaby · 27/05/2022 16:40

My son was just over 4 months when I noticed him start to reach out for things. He loved the Tiny Love activity arch over his Next to Me crib. He would just gently bat the toys when laying on his back. He hated tummy time and I was concerned but he's crawling now and perfectly normal! Try not to worry, your baby sounds perfectly normal

Cazzawazzawoowoo · 27/05/2022 16:43

I agree with turning the telly off. I had one who stared at it all the time. He was also never bothered witn exploring and late to do stuff. For full disclosure he has been diagnosed with autism at 9. But it's totally normal for NT babies too.

The best advice is stop comparing your kid to others. You quickly learn every child is different and you can parent two kids exactly the same and they still turn out totally different.

QueenoftheNimbleFlyingCat · 27/05/2022 16:49

OP 4 month olds are barely out of the newborn stage, they honestly don't do anything let alone play. I played at my first DD and took her to every class going, I didn't with my second DC and they were just as amused watching me washing up and hoovering. Enjoy your baby - comparison is the theif of joy.

Lilbunnyfufu · 27/05/2022 16:52

4 month olds don't do much at all.

BlackeyedSusan · 27/05/2022 16:53

Could be something could be nothing...

Mine is hypermobile and hated tummy time....but I can't remember at what age they did what.

SleepingStandingUp · 27/05/2022 16:58

Mine hated tummy time, so if you can only get him to do it lying on the floor stating at him and talking to hi m that's fine.

Yes you need to keep playing and interacting with him

4 month old don't entertain themselves. They might happen to wave around a toy whilst Mommy is staring and cooing at generally encouraging them as they film that particular moment of the day, not the other 23 hours and 57 minutes when baby is less "achieving"

picklemewalnuts · 27/05/2022 17:02

Remember there's a big difference between 16 weeks and 4 calendar months. Also, some 4 month old babies are nearly 5 months. Some '4 month' babies will be 20/22 weeks.

Babies are all different.

carefullycourageous · 27/05/2022 17:04

Never compare your baby to other babies - look at a reputable source for guidance on milestones and get proper advice from a GP if you have real concerns. I found this one from the NHS: www.cambscommunityservices.nhs.uk/advice/staying-safe/childhood-development/milestones

Yes keep interacting with him, the very best thing you can do is talk talk talk to him.

I would think it best to keep the TV off, they will stare at the bright lights. People don't like the guidance but it is no screen time before 2 years, so as little as possible is to be advised.

ApolloandDaphne · 27/05/2022 17:05

They do bugger all at 4 months. They certainly don't play. Some may be interested in lights and music but some may not. If he is contented you are doing just fine. You are his best plaything at the moment.

User48751490 · 27/05/2022 17:09

They like pooping, eating and sleeping at 4 months old.

I have had four DC and they've all done that at 4 months old. Not much playing or paying attention to anyone but mum.

TheTeenageYears · 27/05/2022 17:11

Tummy time really wasn't a think when my late teens were babies but all DC are different and most 4 months old do very little. I had one who did nothing except eat at that age and another who could drag themselves across the floor and had been rolling over for 2 months. I did nothing different as a parent and they are both healthy, active individuals now. Try not to compare or stress.

RedWingBoots · 27/05/2022 17:18

Mind hated tummy time.

When she decided to play - ok grab things to put in her mouth - she preferred to be seated or on her back. Oh and she was nearer 5 months than 4.

Mind watched screens before two - CBeebies.

Workwork21 · 27/05/2022 17:21

4 month old babies are still very much in the boring stage

RidingMyBike · 27/05/2022 17:23

Are you sure the babies in the videos were 3 or 4 months? Mine wasn't doing anything like that at that age - she didn't do anything vaguely interesting before 4 months and not much then!

Maray1967 · 27/05/2022 17:28

My DC1 rolled over at 11 weeks - DS2 nowhere near as early. Neither particularly liked being on their front.
Turn the TV off - it will mesmerise them and stop them being interested in other things. Mine had no screens until about 18 months.