Congratulations, you now have a 21-week-old baby! As a parent, it’s essential to understand what developmental milestones your little one may be reaching at this stage.
One delightful sound you might hear is your baby attempting their first word, which you can hope will be “Mama.” At this age, babies are beginning to mimic the sounds they hear from their caregivers, enhancing their communication skills. To facilitate this, ensure that your baby can see your face while you talk. This allows them to observe your lip movements, encouraging them to replicate those sounds.
Keep in mind that your baby will start imitating your words and phrases, so it might be wise to limit any colorful language around them. You wouldn’t want their second word to be something inappropriate! If you happen to slip up, consider establishing some ground rules about swearing early on — it never hurts to set clear expectations from the beginning.
Physical, Social, and Cognitive Milestones
You may notice that your baby sometimes prefers to play alone rather than being held. Don’t take it personally; this behavior is quite normal. At this stage, babies are beginning to enjoy independent play as they explore their environment and understand themselves better. So, go ahead and set your baby down for a moment and relish that brief peace — every little bit counts, right?
Cherish these moments of interaction with your baby while you can, as before long, they will be entering their tween years, where communication may become limited to grunts and sighs.
For more insights on language development in infants, check out this informative blog post here. If you’re interested in further topics related to home insemination, this resource can provide valuable information. Additionally, for comprehensive guidance on pregnancy, visit the CDC’s dedicated webpage here.
Summary
At 21 weeks, your baby is rapidly developing communication skills and may begin to imitate words. They may also show a preference for independent play, which is a normal part of their development. Keep communication clear and limit inappropriate language to guide your child’s learning effectively.