Week 29: Curious, Capable, and Clingy
At 29 weeks — just over six and a half months — your baby may feel like a bundle of contradictions: fiercely independent one minute, deeply clingy the next. That’s because they’re right in the middle of a developmental leap that brings new awareness — and with it, new needs.
They’re exploring the world with growing skill and confidence… while also realising how big and sometimes overwhelming that world really is. It’s okay if they need extra reassurance right now. You’re their safe base — and they’re checking in to make sure it’s still there.
Development
Your baby is becoming:
More physically mobile: rolling both ways, pivoting, and often working hard to crawl
More coordinated: picking up small items using a raking or emerging pincer grasp
More aware: noticing when you leave the room, or reacting to unfamiliar people
They may practice getting from sitting to tummy (or the other way around), rock back and forth on all fours, or scoot in reverse. Some babies start crawling now — others are weeks or months away. All timelines are normal.
You might also notice:
Intentional gestures (like reaching up to be picked up)
Longer concentration during play
A surge in separation anxiety as they realise you can go away — and might not come back immediately
This awareness is a sign of cognitive growth. It’s not manipulation or misbehaviour — it’s connection-seeking, and it deserves a calm, confident response.
Sleep
Sleep may be disrupted by:
Motor milestones (babies often want to practice at 3am)
Teething discomfort
Separation anxiety at bedtime or nap time
Your baby might resist going to sleep or wake frequently seeking comfort. That doesn’t mean your routines aren’t working — it means your baby is learning and processing a lot, and needs extra reassurance right now.
What helps:
A consistent, calming wind-down routine
Responsive support when they wake
Predictable contact during the day (babywearing, co-napping, shared play)
You are not creating “bad habits” by being responsive. You’re helping your baby feel safe in a rapidly changing world.
Feeding
Solid food exploration continues — and mealtimes may now be:
Messy
Joyful
Frustrating (for you!)
Your baby might:
Bang spoons, smear food, or throw it on the floor
Gum through more textures
Start chewing motions even without teeth
Gag occasionally (still normal — gagging is protective)
If you’ve introduced common allergens (like egg or peanut), continue offering them regularly in small, safe forms. If you haven’t started yet, you might discuss this with your healthcare provider.
Breastmilk or formula is still the foundation. Solid food is for practice, not pressure.
Play and Interaction
Play this week is more expressive and interactive:
Babbling is more varied and includes consonant sounds
Your baby may mimic your tone or facial expressions
Games like peekaboo or “so big” may become favourites
They enjoy books with flaps, mirrors, or repetition
Expect a baby who wants to:
Be near you
Explore everything
Return to you often
This is called secure base behaviour — your baby explores confidently because they trust you’ll be there when they need to return.
You can support this with:
Floor play with interesting textures
Baby-safe household items to explore
A calm voice and eye contact during play
Top Tip of the Week
“Clingy is not a flaw — it’s connection. Your baby is looking to you to feel safe enough to grow.”
Real Life Reflections
It’s okay if the clinginess wears on you. If you feel touched out. If you long for just ten minutes where no one is needing anything from your body.
You’re not alone — and you’re not doing it wrong.
You can love your baby deeply and need space. You can meet their needs and make time for your own. You don’t have to do this perfectly — just consistently, and with love.
Let the dishes wait. Let the to-do list shrink. What your baby needs most is already here: you.
Looking Ahead
Soon, you may notice:
First intentional gestures like waving or pointing
Crawling (or the start of it)
More active resistance to diaper changes or getting dressed
A new level of curiosity — including opening cupboards and pulling up on furniture
It’s a beautiful, chaotic season. But you’re not just surviving — you’re nurturing. And that matters.
