Week-by-week library · about 1 month old
Week 4
Quick answer
What is my baby up to at about 1 month old?
This week, tracking your face across the room is new work, and baby is on it.
What's developing
Motor
During tummy time, many one-month-olds can briefly lift their head, and some are starting to move it side to side with a bit more control.
Senses
Tracking a moving object side to side, following it partway across their field of view, is emerging for many babies now.
Communication
Early sounds beyond crying, small grunts and throaty coos, may start to show up.
Try this together this week
- Move a toy or your face slowly left to right at a comfortable distance and watch the eyes follow.
- Respond to every coo or grunt like it's a real sentence; this back-and-forth is the earliest form of conversation practice.
- A play gym with a hanging high-contrast toy for supervised time on the back.
- Notice and celebrate the first almost-smiles, even reflexive ones; the real social smile is usually just a couple weeks out.
What parents often notice
Parents often ask when the "real" smile is coming; it usually shows up in the next two to four weeks, so this stretch of near-smiles is completely on track for most babies.
Sourced to
- American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org
- Zero to Three, Early Development guides
Last reviewed by the This Week Baby editorial team.