Baby needs reassurance to learn

Dear Dr. Donya,

I need to know a few things about a four-month old baby. She has started on cereals, biscuits, juice and fruit in her diet. She still takes milk. I do hope I am giving her the right kind of food.

The thing is, my doctor told me that by now my baby should already be able to roll over by herself, only she is still not able to do that. Please do let me know if it is all right if my baby cannot rollover by herself yet. But I assure you she is a healthy and smiling baby.

-- Angie

Dear Angie,

As your baby reaches four months, her stomach will have gotten bigger but she does not need to eat so often. However, she will still gain weight.

Her need to eat tapers off as she gets older, becoming more like that of older children and adults. As you wrote, your daughter's diet is fine.

As for rolling over, it is a new talent at her age. Rolling over is when she is placed on her stomach and lifts her head and shoulders high, using her arms for support.

This mini pushup helps her strengthen her muscles and get a better view of what's going on. She may even amaze you and herself by rolling over from her back to her front, or vice versa. You can encourage this through play: Wiggle a toy next to the side she customarily rolls to in case she's interested enough to try again. Applaud her efforts and smile as she may need your reassurance since new actions can be frightening.

Your doctor has told you about the average age and development for most babies.

As she develops she should be able to reach out and grab an object, even though she often misses the mark on the first try. Once she wraps her hands around something, she'll study it for a moment and then try to put it in her mouth.

Between four and six months she will develop the ability to make some vocal sounds, such as "ma-ma" or "da-da". She does not yet connect that sound with a parent, though. But since you react when she makes noises and tries to say something, your baby learns the importance of language and starts to understand cause and effect. She'll begin to realize that what she says makes a difference.

By four months, your baby may respond to your presence, your voice, and even your facial expressions by kicking and waving her arms.

About now, your child probably bestows smiles on everyone she meets and is beginning to be picky about the company she keeps.

If your baby's development is as mentioned above, then you probably have no need for concern. Remember, each baby is unique and meets social milestones at her own pace. These are simply guidelines to what your baby has the potential to accomplish -- if not right now, then shortly.

And if your baby was born prematurely, you'll probably find that she'll need time before she can do the same things as other children her age. Don't worry. If you have any questions at all about your baby's development, check with your practitioner. The doctor will check her development in four main areas, specifically language, fine movement, gross movement and social skill.

-- Dr. Donya