Nine weeks old - Babbling, rattling and the big cot
Here’s what to expect in the ninth week of your lives together.
At a glance
- Baby may suddenly be really interested in new sounds and where they come from
- Research shows that babies whose parents allow them to 'reply' learn to talk earlier
- Co-ordination will be improving quite rapidly now
Your baby's development at nine weeks old
Your baby’s hearing has been fully developed for a while, but you may find they are suddenly really interested in new sounds and where they come from. You’ll notice that when you play music, your baby will kick their legs in excitement, and listen intently. Try playing some fast-paced music followed by a quieter song or lullaby and watch how their reaction changes. You may find they visibly relax or even sleep.
They’ll also love different rattles now: watch as they frantically try to work out how the sound is made. Try one which attaches to their wrist as well as traditional hand-held ones (soft ones are better than wooden ones as they’re sure to whack themselves on the head at some point.) Rattles are a great way to encourage hand-eye co-ordination and develop muscle control.
You’ll notice their co-ordination is improving quite quickly now – that’s partly because their eyes are developing 3D vision so they can begin to judge depths and distances a bit better, although it won’t be fully developed until around six months.
Smiling
If you’re still waiting for that first elusive smile, try this: wait for a time when your baby is comfortable, and not hungry or tired. Hold them in front of you and talk gently, then smile and wait to see if they respond. If they look away while you’re talking, it’s a sign they’re finding all that stimulation a bit overwhelming. Try smiling and not talking next time and see what happens.
Sleeping at nine weeks old
If you’ve been using a moses basket you may find it’s all looking a bit cramped in there now. You can make the transition to a cot easier by putting their basket in the cot for a few nights so they get used to the view without getting freaked out by all the new space they have. If you’ve bought a second-hand cot, it’s worth buying a new mattress for peace of mind.
The Government recommends keeping the cot in your bedroom for the first six months to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Make sure you place it well away from blind cords, radiators, bookshelves and lamps.
Talking at nine weeks old
When talking to your baby, give them time to respond to what you are saying with a look or coo-ing sounds. Research shows that babies whose parents allow them to ‘reply’ learn to talk earlier. Lots of mums get embarrassed about talking to their baby, but it’s the best way to encourage their speech. They’re actually talking right now – though it might not sound like it, and they learn by hearing you.
Tips from other Bounty mums
"Mums who have been here already say - really try to focus on enjoying this time when your baby is small, because before you know it, he'll be going out at all hours without a coat on and losing his keys" - Kath