Week-by-week library · about 5 weeks old
Week 5
Quick answer
What is my baby up to at about 5 weeks old?
This week, evenings might get loud, and that's a phase, not a verdict on your parenting.
What's developing
Communication
Cooing sounds, drawn-out vowel-like noises, often increase this week as the vocal tract keeps maturing.
Regulation
A fussier evening stretch, sometimes called the witching hour, is common in the first two to three months and tends to ease with time.
Try this together this week
- "Coo back" conversations: repeat the sounds your baby makes and pause for a reply.
- Try a predictable, calming pre-fussy-hour routine (dim lights, gentle motion, a familiar song).
- Babywearing or a carrier during the fussiest stretch, hands-free comfort for both of you.
- Trade off evening duty with a partner or support person if you can; this stretch is genuinely demanding.
What parents often notice
An evening fussy period that feels disproportionate to anything you can identify is one of the most commonly reported experiences at this age, and it is not a sign of a feeding or health problem for most families.
Sourced to
- American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org
Last reviewed by the This Week Baby editorial team.