Becoming a parent is a wonderful feeling, but it comes with its own share of responsibilities and worries. By now, the parents have become accustomed to the cuddly smiling face of the baby, and to the non-stop wailing at night. Taking proper care of an infant can be a daunting task, as during infancy babies grow at a rapid rate, with remarkable changes occurring each week.  The parents must understand the needs of a baby during the first three months especially to ensure proper physical, and mental development. In the following section, we will highlight the changes occurring in a newly born at 8 weeks.

Baby’s Milestones:

• The weight gain at 8th week is around half a pound each week.
• An 8-week old baby becomes able to follow moving objects, and begins recognizing familiar faces and objects. The baby’s brain is developing, allowing him to focus on more complex shapes. As a result, baby now focuses on complete faces rather than parts and be fascinated by complex designs, objects, shapes and colours.
• Coordinated use of eyes and hands in another development, the baby begins to grasp objects in his hands from now on. One can notice the baby gaze intently and play with his own fingers for long durations.
• The baby has increased neck control, allowing him to raise and tilt his head by around 45 degrees.
• The baby begins to kick and stretch his legs too.
• Affinity for soft objects and sweet smells is also noted amongst a majority of babies.
• The baby’s auditory abilities are also improving. He can recognize familiar voices from a distance and tries to make out the direction the noises are originating from. Watching a conversation can improve the baby’s skills at this point.  
• At this point, the baby develops a smile characteristic to being in comfort or in company of loved ones. The baby tries to imitate some expressions and movements to gather attention. Such signs may include big grins, smile and babbling. The baby begins to associate a smile with things like the sound of parents’ voice or food.
• The baby begins to store certain memories, which she can recall with a clue. For example, on seeing a bottle the baby may soothe down knowing that she is about to be fed.
   

• Providing the baby with the best nutrition is the most important task for the mother. It has been accepted worldwide that breast milk is the perfect food for the baby in the first 6 months. Mother’s milk provides the baby with all the essential nutrients, antibodies and enzymes and also strengthens the bond between the child and mother. By this time, the mother knows the baby’s schedule and therefore, should feed the baby on time.
• To encourage physical development of the child, communicate using different expressions, gestures, sounds and smile. The child should be allowed to touch objects of different textures, shapes and colours to enhance focus on coordinated movement.
• The 8th week paediatrician visit is important. The baby is measured and weighed to check for healthy growth. The doctor screens the baby to ensure all developmental milestones are met. This may also be the first time the baby gets multiple shots of vaccines. The parents must schedule this visit on time and get their queries clarified.
   

All babies grow at a slightly different pace and if certain milestones are not met at the right time, the parents must not worry. Remember, the baby is also an individual. Consulting the baby’s pediatrician for all concerns is the best trick in this regard.

Calculate Your Kids Weight ?