BABY WEEK 8
Hearing
Your baby can differentiate familiar voices from other sounds and is becoming a better listener. He also can show you that he's in tune with his environment. Notice how he looks to see where certain noises are coming from. An ongoing conversation can help your baby develop his sense of place. He may even watch your mouth as you talk, fascinated by how it all works. If you notice anything about your baby's hearing, don't hesitate to mention your concerns to your doctor. Even though your baby's hearing may have already been tested, new problems may arise.
A helping hand
The chaotic first months are over and your baby's schedule is probably becoming more predictable. If you and your partner are raising your baby, it's important for both of you to get a chance to care for and bond with your baby. Make sure whichever one of you is not the primary caretaker gets regular time alone with your little one, for bathing him, changing him, and just getting tuned into his needs. If you're a single parent, try to find another adult, such as a grandparent or an aunt, to spend time with your baby. This will give your child an opportunity to bond with other loving adults, and give you a welcome break from the hard work of being a parent to a young child.
Baby Movement
Head control. For the first month, your newborn needs you to support her head and neck. At one to two months old, she’ll be strong enough to lift up her head and turn it while lying on her belly; she’ll also begin to keep her own head upright, at least briefly, when you hold her on your shoulder.
Rolling over: At three to four months old, your infant’s mini push-ups eventually land her on her back, Making sure she gets plenty of tummy time helps her develop this skill (rolling from back to front is trickier to master and will take a little longer).
Bearing weight on legs: Also at three months or so, your baby’s hips and knees show improved strength and flexibility, she can now begin to bear weight on her legs if you hold her upright. In a few more months, she may bounce happily if you stand her up like this as she gets her walking muscles ready to hit the road.
