Week-by-week library · about 6 weeks old
Week 6
Quick answer
What is my baby up to at about 6 weeks old?
This week is when a lot of parents get their first real, unmistakable smile.
What's developing
Social
The first true social smile, a deliberate smile in response to a face or voice rather than a reflex, often appears between six and eight weeks (AAP).
Communication
Cooing continues to grow more varied, and many babies start experimenting with different pitches.
Try this together this week
- Smile-and-wait: smile broadly, pause, and give your baby a few seconds to smile back. The delay is normal; the response is worth waiting for.
- Sing rather than just talk; the pitch changes often get more engagement at this stage.
- Face-to-face floor time on a mat, letting them practice head control while looking up at you.
- Keep a phone handy this week. If the first big smile happens, you'll want it.
What parents often notice
If the social smile has not shown up yet, many babies are still well within the typical range through eight weeks; it is one of the more variably-timed early milestones.
Sourced to
- American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org
- Zero to Three, Early Development guides
Last reviewed by the This Week Baby editorial team.