What is your baby doing?
- Focusing on objects (especially bright shiny objects) less than a metre away
- Showing preferences for people’s faces, especially yours
- Responding to your words with a concentrated expression
- Following the sound of your voice as you move about
- Imitating faces (try sticking your tongue out at him)
What not to worry about - The Moro Reflex
This reflex is triggered by a loud noise or a sudden movement where your baby feels his neck isn’t being supported. The response will be for him/her to throw out their arms and legs and then curl inwards and cry. The reflex is a built-in survival mechanism designed to regain equilibrium and will disappear between 3 and 6 months.
How to help your child at this age
- Talk to your baby, and maintain eye contact while you speak.
- Place a mobile above your baby’s cot, as it will help develop an ability to focus on objects. Young babies especially like bright shiny shapes, and looking at high-contrast black and white patterns, which they can see more clearly at this age.
- Choose a bright and noisy toy like a rattle (make it a lightweight one) and move it across his line of vision so he can follow it with his eyes.
- Mirrors also delight young babies, but make sure it’s an unbreakable one that has no sharp edges.
Troubleshooting - ‘My baby cries a lot’
“Ignore what other people say, all newborn babies cry a lot and it has nothing to do with your mothering skills”, says health visitor Amy Bateman. “Crying is your child’s way of communicating with you and different cries mean different things such as: ‘I’m tired’ ‘I’m fed up’ and ‘I’m hungry!” Some babies do cry more than other and at times your baby will just seem inconsolable no matter what you do.
For more help with crying babies go to The Cry-Sis Helpline www.cry-sis.org.uk Cry-sis provide support and self-help advice to parents of crying, sleepless and demanding babies and young children.
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