At what age is a baby supposed to be alert to surroundings and interact with people?

Question

My baby is 10 weeks old and does not seem that interested in her surroundings. I can get her social smile maybe 20% of the time and she follows faces maybe half the time and she has been cooing for about 2 weeks. I can get her to look at a mobile (very casually she is not fascinated with them) which she kind of follows but only about 5 minutes at the most. But she is not that interested in mobiles or bright colored objects and does not follow object hardly at all with her eyes. She will look follow my face maybe about half the time as well but the other time stares off usually at a bright light. I thought at this age she should start being interested in what is around her.

Answer 1

your little one is still pretty young. That she is paying attention to you, and will stare at things for 5 minutes is pretty good in and of itself. Plus, she does smile, even if sparingly, and has been cooing on her own since 8 weeks.  Don't worry too much. At her age, all she cares about is when to eat, and when to sleep, really. The rest is just distraction. She may be concentrating on trying to see things near her clearly, rather than focusing on everything. Remember, she is only 10 weeks. She can't really see that far away yet, or focus on fast moving things. From what you are stating here about her abilities at her age, I wouldnt worry at all. She seems to be developing at an average-to-above-average rate. Just relax and enjoy this time.. it goes so fast!

Cheers!  

Answer 2

Dont worry, babies are supposed to become aware of their surroundings until they are about 10-12 months old. She is too young to pay attention because she doesn't know what they are. Right now she is just focused on you. So give it some time, she still has months to go.

Answer 3

“By the end of month two your baby should be able to:

- smile in response to your smile

- follow an object in an arc about 6 inches above the face to the midline (straight ahead)

- respond to a bell in someway such as startling, crying, quieting

- vocalizing in ways other than crying (eg cooing)

Note:  If your baby seems not to have reached one or more of the these milestones, check with your dr.  In very rare instances the delay could indicate a problem, though in most cases it will turn out normal for your baby.  Premature infants generally reach milestones later than others.” This came from the book: WHAT TO EXPECT THE FIRST YEAR

I got this book from a friend and it has come in so handy.  It has sooooo much information.  I would send you my copy but have already promised it to a friend who is due in Dec.   You really should look into getting this book (it’s less than $15 at Babies-R-Us).  

It sounds like she's doing great for her age!!!  I didn’t think my daughter was hitting some milestones yet she was ahead with others.  All babies develop differently.  It wasn’t until 5/6 months that my daughter really started to become social.  Now at 8 months – she’s crawling, cruising (very close to walking), into everything, babbling up a storm, looking at me – coming to me, responds to her name, understands the word no and so much more!  But yet for her age she still has some milestones to meet such as she can pick up food but will not feed herself yet.  Something she should be doing by the end of this month.  She still won't use a sippy cup.  But like I said everyone is different.  My friends 14 month old just started to crawl and cruise last month - he still isn't walking yet.  

They grow up so quickly.  At your 3 month wellness visit bring it up to dr – but I’m sure that your baby is just fine!!!

Good luck!  Enjoy your beautiful baby!

Answer 4

When you go for the baby check up they should check about her eye tracking and those things. Dont worry, evrey child is different and does things at their owm pace