Week 33: The Mimic Phase Begins
At 33 weeks — around 7 months and 3 weeks — your baby is becoming a little copycat. You may notice them mimicking sounds, facial expressions, and even some of your daily actions. This isn’t just play — it’s the beginning of learning through imitation, one of the most powerful ways babies develop social and cognitive skills.
Your baby is also building stronger memory and awareness. They’re starting to anticipate routines, recognise familiar words, and expect outcomes. Their brain is busy creating connections between action and result — and they’re using you as their model.
Development
Some highlights:
Mimicking actions like clapping, waving, or “talking” on the phone
Repeating sounds or babbles after you (da-da, ba-ba, etc.)
Exploring more complex movement: crawling over obstacles, cruising along furniture, and pivoting while seated
Watching your mouth intently as you speak
You may also see the early signs of:
Understanding simple commands (“Give it to me,” “All done!”)
Anticipating routines like getting dressed or going outside
Experimenting with emotional expression — fake coughing, dramatic sighing, “joking” faces
This mimicry isn't just adorable — it’s how your baby learns what people do and how they relate to the world.
Sleep
As mental and physical development accelerates, sleep may remain variable. Your baby might:
Resist naps or need longer wind-downs
Wake at night to “practice” new skills
Cry or protest more at bedtime, especially if separation anxiety is strong
You can support them by:
Keeping pre-sleep routines calm and predictable
Offering comfort quickly when they wake distressed
Providing plenty of daytime opportunities to explore and use their body
Sleep changes are frustrating, but temporary. Stay close, stay consistent, and trust that sleep will settle again.
Feeding
Mealtimes may feel a little chaotic — and that’s okay. Your baby might:
Be more distracted at the table
Copy your eating motions (drinking from a cup, picking up utensils)
Drop food deliberately to see what happens
Continue offering a variety of whole, soft foods, and allow your baby to experiment. Responsive feeding is about trusting your baby’s appetite and instincts while offering a rich and varied menu.
Breastmilk or formula still remains the primary source of nutrition.
Play and Interaction
This week is all about imitation and shared experience. Your baby may:
Enjoy songs with actions (“Open, Shut Them,” “Pat-a-cake”)
Try to brush their hair or wipe their mouth
Bang toys together in rhythm or explore toys that respond to action (pop-up boxes, cause-and-effect boards)
Giggle when you repeat their noises or faces
They love:
Repetition
Predictable routines
Games with a “script” they can follow
You don’t need fancy toys — just a curious baby, a safe space, and a willing playmate. That’s you.
Top Tip of the Week
“Your baby is learning from everything you do — not just what you teach them, but how you live with them.”
Real Life Reflections
It can feel like you’re always “on” at this stage — narrating, demonstrating, entertaining. But you don’t need to create a performance. Just include your baby in your day. Talk to them as you do chores. Let them hold a spoon while you stir. Show them how you stretch, sip tea, or take deep breaths.
This kind of gentle, inclusive parenting fosters deep connection — and a strong sense of belonging.
You’re not just raising a baby. You’re inviting a little human into your life. And they’re loving it.
Looking Ahead
Soon, you may notice:
More purposeful gestures (like pointing or waving bye-bye)
Playing with cause-and-effect more creatively
Trying to stand without support
More deliberate attempts at communication
The mimic phase is the beginning of true back-and-forth — not just movement and sound, but relationship. Keep modelling the world you want them to grow into.
Further Reading:
The Reality of Breastfeeding Discover how developmental milestones around 8–10 months can lead to increased breastfeeding frequency, and why this is a normal and beneficial part of your baby's growth.
Infant Sleep Development Understand how mobility milestones like crawling can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to increased night waking during this stage.
Nighttime Breastmilk Learn about the unique properties of nighttime breastmilk and how it supports both your baby's and your own sleep cycles.
