Week 32: Emotions in Motion

Written By Yvette ODowd

At 32 weeks — about 7½ months old — your baby is discovering not just what they can do, but how it feels to do it. Emotion is now threaded through every action: joy, frustration, surprise, determination, and delight.

Their body is on the move, their mind is curious, and their heart is deeply tied to you. They might reach out when you leave the room, crawl toward you with urgency, or beam when you return. This week is a dance between bold exploration and the need for secure connection.

Development

You’ll likely notice:

  • Confident crawling or beginning to cruise (walking with support)

  • Moving from sitting to crawling and back again

  • Pulling up to stand and lowering back down with help

  • More refined use of hands — banging, poking, turning pages, tipping cups

But the biggest shift might be emotional:

  • Your baby responds to tone, facial expressions, and gestures

  • They may protest separations or reach for you more often

  • Laughter, tears, and frustration come more quickly

They’re learning: I can act on the world... and the world responds. That’s powerful — and sometimes overwhelming.

Sleep

Emotions, motor milestones, and cognitive leaps can all impact sleep. You might notice:

  • Difficulty settling at bedtime

  • More frequent wake-ups — especially if your baby is practicing standing or crawling in the cot

  • Shorter naps or early morning waking

Gentle, predictable routines remain your best tool. A few quiet minutes of connection before naps and bedtime can help ease transitions.

If separation anxiety is rising, try:

  • Playing peekaboo or “where’s mama?” games during the day

  • Offering a comfort item like a soft cloth or familiar toy

  • Using a consistent phrase at bedtime (“Goodnight, I’ll see you soon”)

Feeding

Mealtimes may now include:

  • More enthusiastic chewing motions

  • Attempting to pick up smaller pieces with fingers (developing pincer grip)

  • Exploring soft chunks, strips, and new textures

  • Banging cups, throwing food, or making joyful messes

Breastmilk or formula still provides the bulk of nutrition, but shared family meals offer rich opportunities for learning — not just about food, but about rhythm, language, and togetherness.

You might also notice your baby feeding more frequently during times of teething, illness, or emotional need. That’s normal. Feeding is not just about calories — it’s about comfort and connection.

Play and Interaction

This week, play is rich with emotion and intention:

  • Your baby watches you more closely and seeks your reaction

  • They may imitate facial expressions or vocal tones

  • They explore cause-and-effect — shaking, banging, dropping, testing

  • Support this through:

  • Songs with gestures (like “If You’re Happy and You Know It”)

  • Soft toys for snuggling and play

  • Books with flaps or textures to touch

  • Slow, responsive conversations (“You found the ball! Wow, it rolled!”)

Babies learn best through repetition, joy, and your presence. You are their favourite toy — and their greatest teacher.

Top Tip of the Week

“Your baby’s big emotions aren’t a problem to solve — they’re part of being human. Stay close, stay calm, and show them they’re safe to feel.”

Real Life Reflections

This stage can feel intense. Your baby may cling, cry, laugh, and crawl all within ten minutes. You might feel like you're “on” all day, juggling emotional support with constant supervision.

It’s okay to feel overstimulated. It’s okay to take breaks. Step outside. Sit in silence. Let someone else take over for a while if they can.

You don’t need to be perfect — you just need to be present enough. The rest will follow.

Looking Ahead

Coming up, you may see:

  • More purposeful gestures (waving, pointing)

  • Mimicking everyday actions (brushing hair, holding a phone)

  • Trying to stand without support

  • Deeper understanding of simple words or routines

Every week, your baby becomes more themselves — and more connected to you.

Further Reading:

Yvette ODowd
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Week 31: Standing Tall (Almost)