Wonder Weeks Leap 4 - Mama's Organized Chaos

This leap did NOT make much of a mark for William.

He was not at all extra fussy, and I would have simply described the time period as calm and quiet with not much going on.

Now that being said, I was focused on so many other things, so that might be why.

William was being switched from exclusive breastfeeding to full formula and bottles. He was not gaining enough weight, and we quickly determined that my supply was just not enough for him.

Not exactly a minor change.

He’d fallen off of the growth curve completely and, while he was a super happy baby and not complaining of being hungry, he was just not getting enough.

As soon as I started getting the formula in him, he chunked up nicely and was doing SO much.

He was talking more, laughing more, rolling more, etc. We halfheartedly joked about the fact that had I only been feeding him enough, he’d have been doing things things all along! Not exactly funny, but we’re trying to see the humor.

Read the full story about the switch from breastfeeding to formula here.

Right after the switch in diet, he also came down with pneumonia.

Needless to say, we were a bit distracted during leap 4.

As I went through the checklist below, however, a lot of changes did occur!

The Fourth Wonder Week

Leap 4 is known as wonder week 19, as it happens around week 19 of your baby’s life.

This fourth wonder week is known as “The World of Events”.

The way I understand leap 4 as described on page 110 of The Wonder Weeks book, is as follows:

Prior to this leap, your baby doesn’t see a whole “event” as a whole. He sees it in all of the little parts.

In order to grab a toy, he has to think about getting his hand to it, then opening his fingers, then grabbing the toy, then closing his fingers, etc.

After this event, he can grab the toy with his eyes shut if it makes contact with him. He understands the event as one whole series and can predict the outcome before it happens without having to break it down into a step by step process.

In fact, grabbing toys is a perfect example, because most baby’s will have mastered that after leap 4…

Wonder Weeks Chart (Leap 4)

Pages 122-125 in The Wonder Weeks book outlines a checklist of new skills that your baby might be learning. For more detailed information, check out the book! Here is our experience with each of the skills:

Body Control

As soon as you put William on the ground or on the changing table, his arms and legs start moving all around.
William took a long break from rolling from tummy to back, but he’s back at it!
He is lifting his butt and trying to push with his feet and knees.
He’s back to doing really good supported sitting when leaning against someone or something.
Remains upright in his highchair while strapped in.
Easily supports himself on his forearms when on belly.
Is moving his mouth into all sorts of “weird” positions… puckering and copying me when I do it.

William has been successful at getting from back to side, but not all the way to belly. He’s still struggling to get his arm out of the way.
For even more things in this leap that William didn’t master, check out the list on page 122 of The Wonder Weeks Book!

Get Your Copy of The Wonder Weeks Book Here:

Grabbing, Touching, and Feeling

William is grabbing objects successfully now and can do so with either hand.
He is able to grab an object with either hand if it touches him, even without looking at it.
He can pass objects between his hands.
He grabs my hands and fingers and tries to put them into his mouth.
He recognizes toys. His favorite toy is “Ellie the elephant”…he smiles and chuckles as soon as he sees it!
He’s just starting to throw things on purpose.

He does not yet pull things off of his face.
He just started using his bouncer and is interested, but not yet playing with the activity centers.
For even more things in this leap that William didn’t master, check out the list on page 123 of The Wonder Weeks Book!

Get The Wonder Weeks Book on Amazon:

Watching

William loves watching things. He watches his sister play and jump and twirl. He watches my lips as I talk to him, etc.
He is able to search for someone, look around and find them now!
He is able to hold a book in his hands and look at it.

He’s not yet focused on the details of things like Caroline was at this age.
For other things on this list that baby’s might master during this leap, check out page 124 of The Wonder Weeks book.

Get The Wonder Weeks Book on Amazon:

Listening

baby supporting himself on tummy with arm fully extended

William seems to know his name now and will look up if you call him at times.

He’s not doing too many other things on the “listening” list of this leap at the moment. Check out page 124 of the book for more items baby’s can master with this category.

Talking

William is talking a LOT! He talks through his entire bedtime story and just loves it. He also loves to chat on the changing table in the evenings.

He is not yet using a lot of consonants or uttering any “first” words.
For more things that William may not have mastered, but your baby might during this leap, check out the “talking” category on page 125 of the book.

Get The Wonder Weeks Book on Amazon:

Body Language

William is showing us when he’s had enough to eat. He’ll push the bottle away, “spit” the milk out a bit, (or solid food), etc.
He opens mouth and moves towards the bottle or spoon when he’s hungry.

William is not yet stretching out his arms to be picked up, but he gets a definite smile when it’s time.

Other Skills

William definitely gets grumpy if he’s not getting what he wants (food or nap).
He screams if he can’t quite roll over successfully, or when he’s trying to move forward but can’t.

For the full list of all of the skills in each of the above categories, please reference The Wonder Weeks book (pages 122-125).

Get The Wonder Weeks Book on Amazon:

Signs and Fussiness

There was NO extra fussiness this leap!

William’s naps were bliss, and his nighttime was amazing.

He sleeps 12 hours at night 7 pm to 7 am.

His naps are 9-11 am, 1-3 pm, and 5-6 pm. He sleeps for the entire nap 99% of the time and is well rested and happy.

See is full schedule here.

breastfed baby not gaining weight things to do immediately

5 Month old Baby schedule William's Experience

He took to the huge change of switching to formula from exclusive breastfeeding very easily, and he even was happy throughout having pneumonia.

This leap was an easy one!

Frequently Asked Questions About Leap 4:

What is leap 4 versus wonder week 19?

Leap 4 is the fourth developmental leap in your baby’s life. It occurs around week 19 of their life, which is why it is referred to as wonder week 19.

What is leap 4?

Your baby will master big “events” during this leap. He/she will be able to grab things without looking if it comes into contact with the object. He/she will be able to hear someone, look for them and find them easily. These events happen as a whole now instead of in small bits and pieces.