Looks at you, moves, or makes sounds to get your attention
What is this milestone?
Beginning intentional communication
Your baby is beginning to actively seek your gaze and attention. They might lock eyes with you across the changing table, wiggle their body excitedly, or make soft cooing sounds specifically directed at you.
Why it matters
This is the very beginning of intentional, two-way communication. Your baby is realizing that they can initiate an interaction and that you will respond. It strengthens emotional bonds and sets the stage for early language development.
What to expect leading up to it
Before they consistently seek your attention, you may notice brief periods of mutual gazing. They will gradually start to hold eye contact longer and pair it with body movements or vocalizations to draw you in.
How to encourage and support it
Meet their gaze frequently. When they look at you or make a sound, pause what you're doing, look back, and respond verbally. Treat these moments as conversations to encourage their desire to connect and communicate.
When to talk to your doctor
The CDC's milestone checklists say what most children (75% or more) can do by each age. They list “Looks at you, moves, or makes sounds to get or keep your attention” by 4 months. If your child is not doing this by then, the CDC's advice is not to wait: talk with your child's doctor, share your concerns, and ask about developmental screening. The same goes at any age if your child loses a skill they once had, or if anything else about their development worries you. Source: the CDC's “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” milestone checklists, checked October 5, 2026.
Every child develops at their own pace, and the ages here are the CDC's general guidance — not a developmental screening. This article is not medical advice and is not a substitute for your pediatrician. If you have any concern about your child's development, talk to them.
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