Week 28: Moving With Purpose
At 28 weeks — just past six and a half months — your baby is beginning to act with intention. They’re not just reacting to their surroundings anymore; they’re making decisions, initiating actions, and seeking interaction with clear purpose.
Everything is more deliberate now — from how they reach and grasp, to how they babble and wait for your reply. You may find yourself thinking: you really know what you want, little one. And you're right.
This week is all about motivation, mobility, and deepening emotional connection.
Development
Many babies this week are:
Sitting steadily and using their hands freely for play
Pivoting on their tummy or pushing backwards
Beginning to rock on hands and knees or pull forward using elbows
Passing toys from one hand to the other with precision
You may notice your baby launching into new attempts at movement — crawling, sliding, or spinning. They may also begin to reach out for you, arms lifted when they want to be picked up — a heartwarming moment of connection and trust.
Visually and cognitively, their focus sharpens. They can track moving objects with ease and spot a favourite toy across the room. They are watching carefully — not just what you do, but how you do it.
Sleep
You might see shifts in sleep again, especially if your baby is:
Practicing new movements (which may disrupt naps or overnight sleep)
Becoming more emotionally aware (and needing more closeness)
In a growth phase or teething
This week, your baby may become more alert during the day and more restless at night — especially if they’re trying to master a new skill like crawling or sitting up from lying down.
Stick with your calm, responsive approach. Night waking is still biologically normal, especially for babies who are breastfed or comforted by proximity.
Predictable rhythms (like bath, song, feed, cuddle) help anchor their nervous system, even when sleep feels unsettled.
Feeding
If you’ve been offering solids, mealtimes may now feel like a real family event. Your baby might:
Grab at spoons or pieces of food
Gum through softer textures or tackle firmer ones with determination
Drop food off the highchair just to see your reaction
Swirl food around their tray with glee (and mess!)
They’re not just learning to eat — they’re learning about cause and effect, about textures and tastes, and about being part of the social world.
Offer a variety of foods, without pressure. Your baby doesn’t need three meals a day yet — follow their interest and your capacity. Milk feeds remain the foundation of their nutrition.
Play and Interaction
This week, play becomes more goal-oriented:
They want to get to the toy across the room
They repeat the action that made you laugh yesterday
They may drop an object and look expectantly for your response
Expect a lot of:
Babbling and sound experimentation
Peekaboo games and anticipation
Interactive songs and movement play
Looking to you for reassurance in new environments
This is a beautiful time to nurture connection through simple, face-to-face play. You don’t need complicated toys — you are the most interesting and important part of their world.
Top Tip of the Week
“Your baby isn’t performing — they’re practicing. Responding with delight tells them: Yes, you’re doing it! Keep going!”
Real Life Reflections
Some days you’ll feel amazed by their progress. Other days you might feel drained by the sheer relentlessness of care — the constant motion, the repetition, the clinginess.
It’s okay to feel both. It’s okay to want a break. Needing space doesn’t mean you’re not bonded. It means you’re human — a parent who gives so much of yourself, every day.
Try to build in moments of stillness — for both of you. A quiet cuddle, a nap together, a few deep breaths on the back step. Slowness is not a delay in development. It’s a way to stay connected.
Looking Ahead
In the weeks ahead, your baby may:
Begin crawling or scooting with more direction
Show stronger signs of separation anxiety
Make new sounds or combine babbles
Laugh and engage in more complex social games
Their whole world is expanding — and they trust you to explore it safely.
Further Reading:
Introducing Solids… The Simple Way! Explore a straightforward approach to introducing solids, emphasizing baby-led weaning and how to incorporate family foods into your baby's diet.
Things to Consider Before Sleep Training Understand the potential impacts of sleep training methods and the importance of responsive caregiving during nighttime awakenings.
Babywearing for Dads and Non-Birthing Parents Discover how babywearing can foster bonding and confidence for all caregivers, not just mothers, and how it supports your baby's development.
