4-Month-Old Baby (17 Weeks)

When your baby is 17 weeks old, it may be time to start introducing solid foods. One way to tell if your 4-month-old baby is ready for solid food is if they have lost the "extrusion" or "tongue-thrust" reflex. All babies have this reflex early on in life that allows them to push anything out of their mouth other than a nipple. This is also a good point in time to make sure your home is baby proofed.

You and Your Baby at 17 Weeks

Until now, you have had to entertain your baby almost every minute that she has been awake. Something that we're sure you are happy to see emerging in your little one is the ability to self-entertain. Wow!
 
Maybe you can pick up, without putting your infant in the front pack. When naptime ended in the past, it used to mean that play-with-me time was back on. Now your baby might be able to find things to play with all on her own for a little while. Every minute counts, right mom?
 

Major Developments for a 17-Week-Old Baby

Reaching for and actively working to get a certain toy or object is the next big thing to watch for. Two things have grown immensely for your baby:
 
  • Curiosity
  • Strength.
     
While she doesn't have the ability to get herself across the room to retrieve a desired toy, if one is within arm's reach, you can be sure that she will make her best play at getting it. Be careful not to leave her alone for any reason.
 
Even if you think she's perfectly safe in the center of your bed because, in the past, she had not tried to roll or move from that spot, times are a-changin'. All it takes is the appeal of a shiny remote control just out of reach. It could happen for the first time at any moment, so be careful!
 

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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
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