FirstWeeksYour baby at 4 weeks: louder week
Medically-informed · Sources: CDC · Updated June 2026
Crying starts climbing toward its normal peak. It's a phase with a shape — it rises, peaks, and falls.
What’s happening
Crying curve goes up
Total daily crying commonly increases from around week 2, peaks near month 2, and eases by months 3–4. Some of it has no findable reason — that's part of normal development.
Evening fussiness
The 'witching hour' — a fussy stretch in the late afternoon or evening — is one of the most commonly reported patterns at this age.
First head control
During tummy time many babies briefly lift the head and turn it side to side.
What to do
- Build a soothing rotation: hold, rock, feed, white noise, fresh air
- It's okay to put baby down safely and step away for a few minutes if you feel overwhelmed — that protects both of you
- Never shake a baby — hand them to someone or put them down safely instead
When to check in
A cry that sounds unlike your baby (high-pitched, weak) plus fever, vomiting or refusal to feed — call your pediatrician now.
Skills to watch this week
- 4–9Calms when spoken to or picked up — Your response reliably down-shifts the crying.
- 4–8Social smile — Smiles back at your face and voice — the first true conversation.
- 1–4Recognizes your voice and smell — Calms or stills to the voice heard from inside for months.
- 1–5Random arm & leg movements — Jerky, uncoordinated waving — the nervous system is wiring up.
- 1–5Calms when held — Settles against a warm chest — contact is regulation at this age.
- 1–5Cries to communicate — Different needs slowly acquire slightly different cries.
Every baby has their own pace — ranges are typical, not deadlines.
This is exactly what FirstWeeks shows you — matched to your baby
Week 4 guidance, skills to watch, and answers that know your baby’s age and log.
