Four Weeks Old: What's Happening

Your baby can probably focus on and track moving objects now. Try giving her new skills a workout by slowly passing a toy in front of her face or by having a little "staring contest" during which you walk slowly back and forth in front of her. Watch how her eyes lock with yours and follow along with your movement. This skill is a building block for hand-eye coordination, which will come later. Your baby may gurgle, coo, grunt, and hum to express her feelings. A few babies also begin squealing and laughing. Be sure to coo and gurgle back, and talk to your baby face to face. She'll enjoy holding your gaze now. If you have things to do, your baby will still enjoy hearing your voice from across the room. And don't feel silly about using baby talk — babies are particularly attuned to this high-pitched, drawn-out way of communicating, which can actually teach your baby about the structure and function of language.