Eye Contact

[tk9804]

How much eye contact should a 4 week old be making? My DD only "looks" at me a couple times a day, but I have to work really hard at it. Its as if she is avoiding looking at my face all together. She will look at pictures toys & lights more. She has smiled about 4 times, twice at me & twice at a picture. I am worried something may be wrong neurologically. She is also a big time back archer. Please help, I am a very scared and worried mum.

Mum of Kaylee (6/22/04)

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Eyes can track objects now
Having learned to focus with both eyes, your baby can now track a moving object, something she may have been able to do for brief periods since birth. A simple rattle passed in front of her face will often transfix her. Or you can play eyes-to-eyes by moving very close to her face and slowly nodding your head from side to side; often her eyes will lock onto yours.

The shops are packed with developmental toys, but you'll do just as well with everyday household objects. Pass shiny foil or a bright plastic ladle from side to side in front of her. Then try moving it up and down. This should attract your baby's attention, but she probably won't be able to smoothly follow vertical motion for about three months.

most health visitors say that babies only start to smile at 6 weeks

and
One month

Movement and posture

When active, both arms and legs make large jerky movements but when still, the fists are usually closed with the thumb turned in.
If you touch the corner of its mouth the baby turns its head towards that side to suck, but when its ear is touched, it turns its head away.
The baby?s head still lags when it is lifted by its arms to the sitting position.
The baby makes 'walking' movements with legs when held by the body over a surface.
When the sole of the foot is stimulated or tickled, the baby bends its leg up at the knee as if to pull it away.
When lying on its back, the baby turns its head to one side and stretches out its arm and leg on that side.

Eyes and responses

Eyes will follow its mother's face.
May blink on sudden movement near its face.
Shows interest by staring at a window or bright colours.
Turns its head towards light and shuts its eyes in sudden bright light.

Play

Begins to respond by moving its arms and legs while being dressed and bathed and makes noises in response to being spoken to.
Begins to smile at around six weeks and stops crying when picked up and spoken to unless something is wrong (see crying baby).

She sounds fine.

Congratulations btw and welcome to mumsnet!

Dd didn't smile properly until 8 weeks and looked at anything and everything except me, especially when I tried to encourage her to smile! Actually I think I noticed that she looked at me more when I wasn't looking at her. Anyway, now she's 21 months and the biggest attention seeker going who looks at me and mimics my every move. So I wouldn't worry at all.

Sounds normal to me - my nearly 6 week old has been looking at me for not that long and only does occasionally, even if my face is right next to his. It's been increasing more and more in the past few days, as I'm sure your dd's interest will. I think they can get overstimulated quite easily which is why they look away a lot, even from the people they love, and they have a very short attention span. Enjoy watching her develop!