Month 2

Physical Developments:

- the baby should weigh 9 ¼ pounds and be 21 ¼ inches long

- the baby's reflexes dominate him less as his actions become more voluntary

Mental Developments:

- the baby's memory grows and he can now remember objects for longer than a few seconds

Senses and Reflex Development:

- the baby becomes increasingly responsive and calmed by the mother's voice

- the baby may playfully swing his arms at objects or try to grab them

Social Development:

- the baby is now more interested in people than objects and will hold eye contact and stare at people for much longer periods

- the baby will stop crying when he hears a familiar voice or sees a familiar face

- the baby can stop himself from crying by sucking his thumb or soother

Week 6

Physical Developments:

- the baby should weigh 9 ½ pounds and be 21 ¼ inches long

- the baby's muscle tone improves tremendously and he can now hold his head up at a 45 degree angle when lying on his stomach

Mental Developments:

- the baby may become excited in the anticipation of objects or food

- the baby will become interested in watching his own movement and actions

Senses and Reflex Development:

- the baby will stare indistinctly at his surroundings

Social Development:

- the baby may not sleep as much and may wake for longer hours even when tired if he is interacting with someone

- the baby will smile in response to playing with someone or another smile

Week 7

Physical Developments:

- the baby should weigh 9 ¾ pounds and be 21 ½ inches long

Mental Developments:

- the baby will become increasingly interested in sounds and his own hand movements

Senses and Reflex Development:

- the baby is able to follow an object from his extreme periphery past the midline of his visual field

Social Development:

- the baby will respond with great excitement and enthusiasm to the sight of a person

Week 8

Physical Developments:

- the baby should now weigh 10 ¼ pounds and be 21 ¾ inches long

- the baby is able to keep his head fully erect but it is still relatively shaky

Mental Developments:

- the baby will repeat actions for his own sake, whether it be entertainment or attention

- the baby is able to distinguish the mother's voice from a group of others

- the baby is readily able to discern between people, voices, and objects

Senses and Reflex Development:

- the baby is able to rotate his arms and legs in a smooth and uniformed fashion

Social Development:

- the baby will watch people in a direct and keenly aware manner

The baby will smile and react favorably when a familiar person approaches him. He is still amused by bright objects and lights, but has become bored with objects familiar to him. He will seek out new and strange objects in an effort to learn more about his surroundings. The baby may also react to music - perhaps moving in rhythm with the beat or making noises. The baby's eyes will have also developed well. He is no longer cross-eyed, he will follow objects intently, he can focus on more distant objects, and his eyes will move in unison. The baby is also now able to clasp his hands together in front of his body. The baby will begin to show greater facial expression by making a rounded mouth. This is also the stage in which the baby's relationship with and connection to his parents is cemented and real bonds are formed. When stood up, the baby should be able to bear his own weight momentarily, but will quickly fall to his bottom. When he is lying on his stomach he can lift his head up at a 45 degree angle.

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