Week-by-week library · about 2 weeks old
Week 2
Quick answer
What is my baby up to at about 2 weeks old?
This week, watching is the whole job, and your baby is good at it.
What's developing
Senses
Tracking is starting to develop: a baby this age may follow a slow-moving face or high-contrast object a short distance before losing it.
Motor
Movements are still jerky and reflex-driven, but many parents notice slightly smoother arm and leg motion compared to the first days.
Try this together this week
- Slowly move a high-contrast card (black and white stripes or a bullseye pattern) about a foot from their face and see if their eyes follow.
- Read out loud, even something not written for babies. The rhythm and tone matter more than the content.
- Keep tummy time short and frequent rather than one long stretch.
- Try a gentle, rhythmic sway or rock; many newborns settle to a steady motion.
What parents often notice
Cluster feeding and unpredictable sleep are extremely common around now and are not a sign anything is wrong; it often eases as feeding patterns settle.
Sourced to
- American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org
- Zero to Three, Early Development guides
Last reviewed by the This Week Baby editorial team.