Eye contact at 7 weeks - shy baby

[ChillysWaterBottle]

Hallo,

My 7 week old baby is avoiding eye contact. Not just not making it himself, but actively turning to look as far away from you as possible. If you try to turn him or move yourself into his line of vision, he turns further and further before quickly switching and looking the other way. Or down. Or up. Anywhere but at you. He only looks at you by accident when he's lying down and quickly looks away again. I only noticed it because my baby development book said he should start enjoying eye contact around this age. Its the same any time of day or night whatever mood he's in and whatever he's doing.

He is my first and I don't have much experience with babies but I seem to remember my friends baby loved eye contact and would stare at me fascinated.

I don't think I would be worried if he just wasn't making eye contact but to be so actively avoiding it? Does anyone have any experience to share? Should I be worried or try to push it or just leave it?

Thanks for help :)

Ask your health visitor I never worried at this age their focus development maybe different

Thank you I'll ask my health visitor x

Remember books are a guide not a bible. They all take their own time, some earlier and some later. Its like this will all milestones, rolling, eating, walking, talking etc. Mention it to the hv but try not to worry x

Does he follow moving things? ie is it only eye contact that’s the issue rather than possibly an issue with vision?

Ditch the book! Honestly they often cause more worry than reassurance. Bide your time a bit - they all develop at vastly different rates.

Thank you everyone for being so reassuring it really does help

@RaisedByPangolins

Does he follow moving things? ie is it only eye contact that’s the issue rather than possibly an issue with vision?

He follows moving things yes, just about, but doesn't seem massively interested in them. He seems to prefer walls lol

My little one is 20 weeks now and I was worried she wasn’t looking at me around this age too. She can spot me from across the room now and beams when she sees me which is amazing! They do things in their own time and change so fast. He’ll get there soon I’m sure!

Hi! Any update? My baby is having difficulty making eye contact and worries me a lot

Baby is making eye contact but still doesn't seem to like it much, will avoid if possible especially if he is tired. However he seems happy enough, smiling and laughing, so I'm not too worried! How old is your baby x

@ChillysWaterBottle

Baby is making eye contact but still doesn't seem to like it much, will avoid if possible especially if he is tired. However he seems happy enough, smiling and laughing, so I'm not too worried! How old is your baby x

This was to @GeMa08 sorry don't know how to reply x

She is 9 weeks now and still not smiling or making eye contact

@GeMa08 any updates on your LO s

@CChillysWaterBottle any updates on your LO

Hi! Baby is doing great, seems to be hitting all developmental milestones great, very happy and sociable, walking and talking (babbling a lot and a few intentional words). Makes good eye contact but still actively avoids it sometimes, especially when tired. No one has any concerns x x are you worried about your own baby?

That was to @mthrofflwr , apparently I still don't know how to reply lol

@ChillysWaterBottle yeah I'm worrying about my DD eye contact

Hi! Your original post really resonated - our 7 werk old just will not look you in the eye, or at your face at all. Actively turns away every time.
How did your little one turn out? Thanks!