Baby Physical Development in 8-Week-Olds

Your baby is smiling nonstop. It's a good thing he's not talking and asking for things yet, otherwise you'd be such a sucker for those delicious grins that he'd be staying up late and eating cookies for breakfast every day.
What You're Thinking: "I need to get this kid a modeling contract with Baby Gap. He's seriously the cutest thing ever!"

• Your baby's physical development includes holding things in his hands at this point. Stick a rattle in his palm and watch his little fingers close around it. Don't try this with your cell phone or something you really need because baby probably won't let go as easily as he latched on.
• Get ready 'cause your baby is about to discover the coolest toy ... and it's totally free and always within reach! His hands! They're close by, always there and have a cute pudgy shape. Watch him gaze at them in endless fascination ... and wonder why you spent all that cash on those baby DVDs with all of the classical music and dancing toys.
• A great way to keep your baby engaged and help him start learning about his world and the people in it is to be a one-person entertainment center. Try out some hand games like Itsy Bitsy Spider, Pat-a-Cake or This Little Piggy.
• Your baby's infant vision is improving and he is starting to distinguish colors more now, so surround him with complex designs and bright, colorful objects—a red plush monster, a yellow shape sorter, Mommy's lime green track pants—to grab her attention.

• You've finally found a baby bottle your baby likes. (Did you ever think you would do so much nipple research?)
• You finally put that oh-so-cute in-the-bathtub picture in a frame and now you only need to do the same for the oh-so-precious holding-the-rattle photo, the oh-so-sweet sleeping picture, the oh-so-adorable photo with Grandpa ...
• You actually had to check your baby's birth announcement to remind yourself how much she weighed at birth.
• You recognize one particularly striking similarity between you and your baby: You both get cranky when hungry.
• You've become such an expert in describing the details of your surroundings to your baby, you're starting to think you have a future as a tour guide. Then again, who would want a tour of your kitchen?

The urge to make your baby's pediatrician your new BFF might feel irresistible at this point. You know, long talks in the office, midnight calls (just to say, "hey ... she sniffled") and zealous text messages ("R 3 poops a day OK?") ... But don't fret, a little worry right now is totally normal and you're not alone. To save yourself (and your friendly doctor) some stress, check out our baby health-care tips. They'll help reassure you (and help keep your cell phone bill manageable, too). Read more ...

• Should I discourage my baby from putting everything in her mouth?
• Transferring a Sleeping Baby From Your Arms to His Crib
• Tips on Using a Pacifier

Do It: Car Seat Carrier
You're lugging baby around in her car seat everywhere anyway, go ahead and count it as your workout!
Buy It: Splash Bottle Drying Rack
Store your baby's bottles in style!
Share It: What, Me Worry?
One mom explores why she's always on high alert.
Discuss It: Chat with other new mamas and papas on our Baby Board.

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All babies grow and develop at different rates. So please don't compare your kid with so-and-so's baby from across the street—you'll just drive yourself nuts. If you have any concerns, bring them up with your pediatrician at your baby's next checkup.