Do babies see things we can’t see

[K2012]

First time mother and I need advice. Sorry for sounding clueless

Baby boy is just over 4 weeks old. When he was 3 days old I noticed he started doing some strange things, it’s a bit difficult to explain but it’s like he is seeing things/hallucinations and put his arms out and wants to hit what he sees, then sometimes gets a bit frustrated when his arms are out trying to hit whatever he sees
This normally happens late evening or at night but I noticed that sometimes it happens during the day too. This happens every day

Is this normal behavior or is there something wrong with my baby?

Normal , they just haven't got control of their little bodies yet so are jerky.

Thanks @MrsPelligrinoPetrichor it looks very strange to me like they’re seeing hallucinations and wants to “hit it”

No, nothing like that whatsoever. All babies do this.

Early on baby’s eyesight is really poor, they’re able to see your face if your breastfeeding but that’s the sort of distance that they’re able to see clearly. I guess they do see the world quite differently to us.

there isn’t any supernatural going on with arm movements though. Baby’s are very jerky and don’t have that much control over their limbs

Probably confused by his own arms/hands at this age bless him - don’t worry!

it looks very strange to me like they’re seeing hallucinations and wants to “hit it”

They just can’t control their limbs. They probably don’t even have the ability to realise their hands are connected to their body at 4 weeks never mind 3 days!

They don’t realise they’re connected to their limbs at first, sometimes you’ll see them realise they can move a hand or foot and be absolutely delighted by it!

This is one of the reasons people swaddle so their jerkiness doesn't wake them when they sleep. All normal, don't fret!

Did you get any books or leaflets about developmental stages from your midwife or health visitor? Or download an app about it? A bit more information about what you can expect at each stage might stop you from worrying.

Babies can hardly see anything at this stage and have no control over their limbs for ages yet to come.

What does 'gets a bit frustrated' look like?

This just sounds like the Moro reflex.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moro_reflex

He doesn’t know his arms and hands belong to him yet. So he’s definitely not trying to hit anything.

He doesn't even know his arms belong to him so he's not hitting out at anything.

Yep just a reflex like previous posters have said, it'll be a while yet before he's able to control his arms well enough to purposely hit out at anything!

Yes, nothing to do with seeing anything. It's a reflex.
Sometimes being cold (possibly unlikely in the current temperatures) causes babies to make jerky movements with their arms that can maybe look like they're trying to hit something.

Thank you everyone for your replies.

@JustRestingMyEyesForAMinute no never receive any leaflets. Are there any apps you can recommend?

Yup reflexes and DD used to like staring at a blank wall, probably felt over stimulated (bit disconcerting though).

I enjoy the wonder weeks app, I think it even has a thing that shows you what they can see at each age!

Yes I used wonder weeks with my first born, you put in their birthday and it gives you lots of information about what stage they are at and explains 'leaps' in their learning which might make them fussier etc.