6 Weeks – 3 Months
General Behavior
- Awake for longer periods, and sleeps 4-10 hours/night
- Easier and more frequent smiling
- Beings to notice own hands
- Attracted to objects of bright colors and distinctive patterns, and is now able to grasp items
- Shorter periods of fussiness (crying) can be expected
- Begins to smile at people, coos
- Follows moving objects with eyes
- Turns head towards sound
- Sucks with pleasure and recognizes breast or bottle
Positive Parenting Practices
- Place child on safe surface to allow movement
- Continue to hold and touch infant often and respond to needs
- Crying for prolonged periods may indicate a problem (check with doctor)
- Hang bright-colored, visually stimulated objects above crib
- Smile and talk softly in a pleasant tone with holding, touching, and handling infant
- Needs should be identified and met as promptly as possible
3 – 5 Months
General Behavior
- Responds to faces and voices (by kicking out vigorously, laughing aloud, etc.)
- Turns over on his/her own by 4-5 months
- Likes to lie on belly and push up to look around
- Holds objects and studies intently
- Starts to sit with support and has neck control
- Likes to look at self in mirror
- Plays with and enjoys infant toys (soft toys, mobiles, rattles and other safe toys)
- Listens intently, responds with talking sounds when spoken to
- Cries to communicate fear, pain, discomfort or loneliness
Positive Parenting Practices
- Continue to respond to needs
- Talk and read to baby
- Smile and hold (make eye contact)
- Prop baby up so he/she can look around (be sure he/she is secure)
- Offer a variety of patterns or textures to play with
- Vocalize in response to infant
- Talk to infant soothingly during care
- Allow infant to cling to parent and get used to people a little at a time
