Baby Update: 6 Weeks Old

Physical Development

With each passing day, your little one is growing more alert and responsive. By the end of this month, he'll be awake for as many as 10 hours a day, punctuated by one- to three-hour naps. Although it may seem to you as though he's "just lying there" for much of this time, in reality he is learning and practicing new skills virtually every waking minute.

One such skill is the development of head/neck coordination. By the end of this month, your formerly inert wonder child will be able to lift his head to a 45-degree angle while lying on his tummy, and hold it for at least a minute. He'll also hold his neck in line with the rest of his body for a few moments when you pick him up.

Social Development

As head and neck coordination develops, so does your baby's capacity to observe the world. Mobiles and crib toys can help by giving him stimulating things to look at. (Make sure mobiles are out of reach, however, and never leave loose toys in the crib, where he could choke or suffocate on them.) He'll also enjoy rattles and squeaky toys, although he won't yet be able to manipulate them himself, and activity mats that have toys hanging overhead.

Intellectual Development

Researchers have speculated that, for the first six months, physical contact is the single most important factor in infant development. In fact, studies have shown that babies with caretakers who hold and caress them but provide no other stimulation still do well for at least five months. (Conversely, babies in institutions that offer infrequent contact are much more likely to have developmental problems.) This sensitivity to touch extends to a fascination with changes in texture. To appeal to your baby's sense of touch, try laying him on blankets, towels, carpets, or fabrics that have different feels--fuzzy, silky, smooth, etc. You can also give him playthings with a variety of textures, such as teddy bears, wooden blocks, and fabric books.

Note: The information above offers general guidelines, but all babies develop differently, and few hit their milestones precisely when the conventional wisdom says they should. If your child was born prematurely, you may want to use your due date as a baseline for following baby's development.