Week 23: Emotion, Motion, and Meaningful Moments
At 23 weeks old, your baby is a blend of movement, emotion, and emerging awareness. They may laugh harder, protest louder, and seek you out more deliberately. Every day seems to bring more complexity — in how they move, communicate, and relate.
This week is about emotional depth, motor development, and the beginnings of meaningful memory. You’re not just raising a baby — you’re witnessing a person beginning to take shape.
Development
Your baby’s movements are becoming smoother and more coordinated. Many are sitting with minimal support or even unassisted for short bursts. They may now lean forward to grab a toy, balance briefly on their own, or twist around while seated — wobble, topple, repeat.
Rolling is often second nature by now — some babies are even combining rolls to move across the floor. Expect to find them in unexpected spots during play or on the change mat!
Emotionally, this is a rich and often intense time. Your baby may:
Cry suddenly if you leave the room
Laugh in anticipation of a tickle
Shriek with frustration when something is out of reach
They are learning how to express what they feel — and beginning to expect comfort, attention, and a response.
Sleep
Sleep continues to be a mixed bag. Some babies may settle into more consistent nap rhythms or stretch their longest night sleep — others continue waking frequently for connection and comfort.
Emotional development can temporarily disrupt sleep. Separation awareness, new mobility, or louder emotions can all lead to restlessness. You haven’t created a “bad sleeper” — you’re parenting a human baby through change.
Contact naps, feeding to sleep, or being close overnight remain supportive strategies. There’s no need to break habits that feel right for both of you. This is not forever — but it is important now.
Feeding
Your baby may be particularly enthusiastic at mealtimes — not necessarily about eating, but about being part of it. They may reach for spoons, mimic chewing, or become agitated when they’re left out. If they’re sitting steadily, mouthing toys, and showing readiness signs, you may be close to starting solids using a baby-led approach.
That said, many babies continue to be fully milk-fed at this age, and that’s still absolutely normal. Milk is still their main food, comfort, and hydration — especially in a time of increased mobility and emotional need.
Distracted feeding may still be an issue. Try offering feeds in quiet, low-stimulation settings. Feeding while babywearing or during sleepy moments can also help.
Play and Interaction
Play is all about exploration and repetition. Your baby might:
Bang two toys together
Drop objects over and over to watch you retrieve them
Respond when you call their name
Light up when you return after a brief absence
They may also show clear preferences — for a particular song, a familiar toy, or even a routine they recognise.
Reading simple books with repetition, singing daily songs, and giving your baby space to explore independently (with supervision) all help build memory and confidence.
You don’t need to “teach” your baby. They’re absorbing everything. Your steady, relaxed presence is the foundation for learning.
Top Tip of the Week
“Your baby isn’t manipulating you — they’re inviting you into their emotional world. When you respond, they learn they matter.”
Real Life Reflections
You may feel more connected than ever to your baby — and also more depleted. They reach for you, follow you, cry when you step away, and want you for everything. It’s beautiful and exhausting.
If your baby is fussy, it doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong. If they want more of you than you feel able to give, that’s okay too. Take little breaks. Share the load. Lower the bar.
You are not just comforting — you are co-regulating. You are helping your baby learn how to feel and how to be felt.
Looking Ahead
In the next few weeks, your baby may begin sitting for longer, transferring toys more efficiently, and babbling in more structured patterns. You may also start exploring solids together — another step into the wider world.
But no matter how much changes, your baby still needs the same core things: time, presence, and your loving response.
Further Reading:
Relax, It's Just Eating Food! Explore the philosophy of baby-led weaning and how to introduce your baby to family foods in a relaxed and enjoyable manner.
Human Babies Are Not Meant to Sleep Alone Understand the importance of room-sharing and how close proximity during sleep supports your baby's development and safety.
The Anatomy of a Soft-Structured Carrier Learn about the components of soft-structured carriers to ensure a comfortable and secure fit for both you and your baby.
