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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Tell me about 4 month olds

14 replies

MissBax · 18/06/2017 09:13

I'm due to go to a wedding when baby will 4 almost 4 months old. This is my first and I have no younger babies in the family -
I know all babies are different but what are 4 months old like for a weekend away? Do they still sleep alot? Is she likely to be teething? Could this mean she might cry alot? I need to try and plan cos the last thing I want is her disrupting my friends wedding. What should I be prepared for?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

confusedat23 · 18/06/2017 09:23

Well as you said OP all babies are different!

During the ceremony i would just try to sit as close to the door as possible so if you did need to leave because of baby fussing you can do so discreatly.

PurpleTraitor · 18/06/2017 09:30

They sleep a lot, they cry a lot, they feed a lot, they spend a lot of time in between those states and you spend a lot of time not sure which one of those things is desired/going to happen.

However, they are small, easy to carry, mostly stay where they are put, don't make any mess, need very little equipment, are free to take pretty much everywhere, are considered babes in arms and in most cases can go to places older babies cannot. Plus they are cute and everyone wants to hold them.

Fast forward a year, two, three, and none of these things will be true.....

Original poster

MissBax · 18/06/2017 09:30

Thanks confused - I just wasn't sure whether there was any generic levels of development to be aware of.

OP posts:

Original poster

MissBax · 18/06/2017 09:31

Haha purple - thank you!

OP posts:

Boopboopboop · 18/06/2017 09:34

At 4 months most babies are past that extremely fragile stage - they can hold their heads, they're slightly more robust so can be passed around without having to worry too much about someone letting the head swing (I really hated that)

All babies are different and when mine was 4 months she was really difficult to get to sleep in the day, seemed like she didn't want to miss out on anything. I couldn't meet a friend for coffee and just have her sleep peacefully in the pram, I would have to walk with her in the sling for hours til she finally drifted off. Babies are different though, you might have one who sleeps great!

Original poster

MissBax · 18/06/2017 10:00

boopboop - thanks, that's the kind of things I wondered. I probably need to buy a book on child development or something as I have NO idea what to expect at different stages!

OP posts:

Oysterbabe · 18/06/2017 10:08

Most babies won't be teething then.
DD was a bit of a nightmare at that age tbh. They have a sleep regression at 4 months and for us that meant nap refusing and hours of screaming at bedtime. She was a particularly difficult baby though. My niece is the most placid creature in the world. We call her tiny tears because she is like a little doll. She just feeds, sleeps and sits there calmly smiling at everyone in between.

soundsystem · 18/06/2017 10:14

4 month ago was when both of mine became interesting! In that they had moved out of the newborn stage and were interested in what was going on around them and able to interact a bit more (smiling and gurgling and grabbing for things).

We've just come back from a weekend away (although not a wedding!) with 4 month old DS. It was great, as long a short he was fed and changed regularly he was happy alternately taking it all in and snoozing.

Unfortunately, you don't really know until you meet your baby if you're going to get a chilled out one or a shrieky one!

arbrighton · 18/06/2017 13:18

Our nephew was that age at a wedding a couple of weeks ago.

He was happy/ alert to be held by various family members unless getting a bit hungry. Awake for a while. He wasn't too good being held by me when hungry- theory being since I was about 35 weeks then, I might smell like I should be able to provide food etc.

Bit drooly as he was starting to teethe

Some nice smiles for people

helenfagain · 18/06/2017 13:25

Bring a sling, this will help!

welshweasel · 18/06/2017 13:38

We went on holiday in Europe for a week when DS was 4 months old. He was sleeping through 7-7 ish, had 3 short naps per day and was feeding roughly every 3 hours during the day. He was still at the age where he was happy to be passed round anyone, happily napped anywhere and was generally a delight. The same holiday when he was 8 months old was way harder!! As you say though, every baby is different. I do think it's generally quite an easy age though as they aren't mobile, it's a bit early for teething, none of the shit that comes with weaning. You'll be fine! We went to a wedding when he was 5 months old and had no issues. We stayed at the venue and booked a loca babysitter to sit in the room once he was asleep in the evening so we could go and party!

Caterina99 · 18/06/2017 15:58

I took my DS on a weekend away alone to visit family when he was 4 months. He was pretty easy to look after as you're past that newborn stage where you don't have a clue, but they still (usually) nap a lot in the day and you can put them down and they don't move! Depends so much on your baby though!

chipscheeseandgravy · 18/06/2017 16:57

At 4 months mine would probably be awake for about an hour at a time, and was bottle feeding about every 3 hours (ish). Take your pushchair and hopefully baby will have a nap in that. If baby won't nap in the pushchair at least you can go handsfree and pop the baby in it, then you can eat some dinner. It's unlikely baby will be able to sit using a highchair without falling out.
If your baby is a clingy one, try a sling a few weeks before, baby can happily sleep/breastfeed and you can still enjoy the wedding without having to hold the baby all day.
I would recommend getting a room during the day - that means you have somewhere to keep all the babies stuff and if they are being wingy you have somewhere to go and settle them. Also means if you are breastfeeding and you fancy some privacy you can chill out for an hour while little one has some milk. You also have somewhere to change if needs be!
My son was cutting teeth at 10 weeks, but as long as he could chomp on something he was happy enough. My friends baby is the same age (9months) and he has only just started getting his teeth.
All babies are different. You won't know what your babies schedule is till they arrive!, but by the time there 4 months you'll be a pro at it :).

Wreckingball25 · 18/06/2017 17:41

We took our (then) four month old to a wedding in April. Similar to PPs, she was happy to be passed around, she slept in her carseat when we were eating (though a waiter didn't see her and walked into it and woke her up ), we sat on the end of a row during the ceremony in case we needed a sharp exit, and left as the evening do kicked off (and so did she ! The drive home was interesting!)

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