Your baby's brain is expanding in size and complexity. It will grow about 5 centimeters during the first three months of life.

You may notice short periods of time when your newborn is quiet and alert. This is prime time for learning. Use these calm intervals to get better acquainted – talk to your baby, sing, describe the pictures on the walls. Your baby may not be able to add to your conversation just yet, but he or she is learning nonetheless.

New textures, sights, and sounds (all in moderation) are excellent learning opportunities. Even bath time becomes a laboratory for understanding the world around your newborn.

Reaching out

Your baby's hands should be mostly open now – ready to reach out to the world. Expect to see your baby working on grasping objects over the next few months.

Babies are born with the grasping reflex – touch your baby's palm and he or she will curl tiny fingers around yours. These movements are instinctual and involuntary for the first eight weeks or so.

Now – although your baby can't really grab objects just yet – he or she is gaining more control. Your baby can hold things placed in his or her hands. And, once your baby gets something, he or she might not let go so easily!

Your baby may also begin to try and bat at objects, so keep potentially dangerous objects far from your little one's reach. This means not holding hot liquids or sharp objects while your baby is in your arms.

Eyes can track objects

Until now your baby may have briefly been able to track a moving object with his or her eyes. You'll be seeing big improvements in this skill – your baby will soon be able to follow things consistently and well.

Encourage him or her by passing a rattle or a brightly colored object horizontally in front of your baby's eyes. Then try moving it up and down. This should attract your baby's attention, though he or she probably won't be able to smoothly follow things vertically for another three months and diagonally for another six months.

You can also play eyes-to-eyes by moving very close to your baby's face and slowly moving your head side to side. Often your baby's eyes will lock onto yours.

Related Items Developmental milestones: Sight Developmental milestones: Grasping