Congratulations on your new bundle of joy! We know how exciting it feels to have a little one in your arms. Along with the excitement comes the responsibility of understanding your baby’s development. Every week your baby is developing new skills and reaching milestones. Here is a baby development timeline week by week to help you keep track of what to expect as your baby grows.
Table of Contents
Week 1: The First Week Of Life
During the first week of life, your baby will be sleeping for most of the day. Your baby will need to breastfeed or bottle-feed every 2-3 hours. Your baby’s umbilical cord stump will dry up and fall off. Your baby’s skin may also peel during this week, which is normal.
Week 2: Smiling & Cooing
During the second week, your baby may start to smile and coo. Your baby’s movements will start to become more controlled, and they will be able to lift their head briefly while on their stomach. Your baby may also start to have longer periods of alertness during the day.
Week 3: Follows Objects & Recognizes Faces
During the third week, your baby’s eyesight will start to improve. Your baby will be able to follow objects with their eyes and recognize faces. Your baby will also start to have longer periods of wakefulness during the day and may show more interest in their surroundings.
Week 4: Imitates Expressions & Starts To Hold Head Up
During the fourth week, your baby will start to imitate facial expressions and may even stick out their tongue when you do. Your baby will also be able to start holding their head up for short periods of time while on their stomach.
Week 5: Starts To Develop Social Smile & Recognizes Voices
During the fifth week, your baby will start to develop a social smile, which is a smile in response to seeing someone they know. Your baby will also start to recognize voices and may turn their head towards the sound of your voice.
Week 6: Begins To Reach For Objects & Makes New Sounds
During the sixth week, your baby will start to reach for objects and may even grasp onto them. Your baby will also start to make new sounds, such as cooing and gurgling.
Week 7: Rolls Over & Responds To Their Name
During the seventh week, your baby may start to roll over from their stomach to their back. Your baby will also start to respond to their name and may turn their head towards you when you say it.
Week 8: Sits Up With Support & Shows More Emotions
During the eighth week, your baby may start to sit up with support. Your baby will also start to show more emotions, such as excitement and frustration.
Week 9: Reaches For Toys & Recognizes Familiar Faces
During the ninth week, your baby will start to reach for toys and may even try to put them in their mouth. Your baby will also start to recognize familiar faces and may show more interest in interacting with people.
Week 10: Laughs & Makes Different Facial Expressions
During the tenth week, your baby may start to laugh and make different facial expressions. Your baby will also start to show more interest in playing and exploring their environment.
Week 11-12: Crawling & Standing With Support
During the eleventh and twelfth weeks, your baby may start to crawl or scoot around on their stomach. Your baby may also start to pull themselves up to stand with support. Your baby’s hand-eye coordination will also continue to improve.
These are just a few of the milestones that your baby will reach during their first three months of life. Remember, every baby is unique and will develop at their own pace. If you have any concerns about your baby’s development, talk to your pediatrician.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average weight of a newborn baby?
The average weight of a newborn baby is around 7 pounds.
When do babies start to roll over?
Babies typically start to roll over from their stomach to their back around 4 months of age. Rolling from their back to their stomach usually occurs around 6-7 months of age.
When do babies start to sit up?
Babies typically start to sit up with support around 4-6 months of age. Sitting up unassisted usually occurs around 8 months of age.
When do babies start to crawl?
Babies typically start to crawl around 7-10 months of age. However, some babies skip crawling altogether and go straight to walking.
When do babies start to walk?
Babies typically start to walk around 12-15 months of age. However, some babies may start to walk as early as 9 months, while others may not start until 18 months.
We hope that this baby development timeline week by week has been helpful in understanding your baby’s growth and development. Remember, every baby is different, and your little one will reach milestones at their own pace. Enjoy every moment of your baby’s journey!