Hello, you! Spotting their reflection in a mirror
The more your baby has been moving their arms and legs, the more they have started to understand where their body begins and ends. This understanding of themselves is further enhanced through their interactions with other people, so through being held, comforted and entertained by those around them.[1] Your baby will now be starting to explore toys and objects and will notice their reflection in a mirror; at this stage they won't realise that the baby that they see in the mirror is themselves.
Early empathy? Your baby's awareness of other people's emotions
Since they were born, your baby will have responded to their own discomfort by crying,[1] but as they become more aware of other people you might see them begin to respond to the emotions of others.
Is your baby turning to look for sounds?
Your baby has been listening to sounds since before they were born and is keenly interested in voices. Now, you will notice them listening and showing more awareness of other sounds – look to see if they stop moving or are quiet when they hear a voice or other sound.[1]
Seeing their world come into focus
Your baby’s blurred vision at birth meant that they will only have been able to focus on objects that were close to them. Now, they will be starting to see more clearly and will begin to look at objects and toys that are hanging close to their face.
Your baby's use of vision to find their feed
When your baby was born, their reflexes will have ensured that they were able to feed, so they will have turned their head and opened their mouth when their cheek was gently stroked. As their vision develops, when they see a bottle or breast they will turn towards it ready to feed.
Your two-way interactions – what your baby learns
Your baby has been watching you when you speak to them and might have started to make some sounds back. Now they are exploring different ways to respond to you and will make eye contact, smile, move and make noises during your ‘conversations’.
How your baby picks up on language around them
Your baby’s hearing developed before they were born and they will have been able to hear muffled conversations in the womb.[1] You'll have seen them responding when you speak, perhaps pausing for a moment or making sounds. Now, you might notice that your baby listens to conversations when the people around them talk – again, they might be quiet for a moment or respond with movement.
Smiling and making sounds is your baby getting sociable
Your baby has been listening to the voices of the people around them since before they were born, and they will have started to explore the sounds that they can make. They will also be learning about interacting with other people as they respond to you as you speak to, look and smile at them.
The smooth movement of hands to mouth (with objects now in tow!)
Your baby is likely to have been putting their hand in their mouth since they were born, but you might notice now that they can do this more accurately, bringing their hand up quite smoothly. When they are holding a toy, they may also try to put it into their mouth; of course they won't be able to get this right every time and might sometimes bump their chin rather than reaching their intended destination.[1]
Developing control
Your baby’s fine motor and gross motor skills are closely linked as initially they will use movements of their arm to position their hand to grasp and explore items.[1]
Touchy feely fingers – discovering new surfaces and sensations
The palmar grasp reflex will have led to your baby’s hand often being closed when touching objects (this reflex will gradually be becoming integrated). You might have noticed that your baby’s hands are open, move often and that they have explored moving in different ways. Now it's time to start noticing their fingers when their hands are on a surface – you might see this during tummy time or when you're holding them.
