Baby This Week: 14 Weeks Old

Your baby's goos and gurgles are probably going strong, but now she's also making consonant sounds, sputtering Ps and Bs and Ms and Ls. That's where the first "ma-ma" and "da-da" will come from. At first, she won't associate these sounds with any particular meaning (although you certainly will) — they're just easiest for her to make. (Interesting fact: In any language, the equivalents of "Mama" and "Dada" are common first words.)

Babies simply love to be touched. In fact, they thrive on it — touch is a critical part of growth and development. All that skin-to-skin contact not only helps you and your baby bond, but it's comforting when she's upset and soothing when she's irritable.

Nurture your baby's sense of touch with a variety of materials, such as fake fur, felt, and terry cloth. Your baby will probably try to eat everything, so choose carefully and don't leave her alone with anything that could come apart in her mouth. Look for books like Pat the Bunny that make reading a tactile experience.

Your baby can now wave her arms and pump her legs. And as her hip and knee joints become more flexible, her kicks are getting stronger. Hold her upright with her feet on the floor and feel her push down.

Your baby can also bring both hands together and open and close her fingers. Encourage her eye-hand coordination by holding out a toy to see if she'll reach for it. (Yes, swatting at a toy is a developmental milestone!)

- BabyCenter.com