Baby timeline
Your baby at 6 weeks
Six weeks often brings the first true social smiles — and two practical anchors: the six-week check, and the 6-week immunisations (given by actual age, even for babies born early).
What you might notice
6 weeks
- Real social smiles often start now (different from newborn wind smiles)
- Cooing and gurgling sounds
- More regular feeding patterns
- Longer stretches of sleep at night (3-4 hours)
Specialist note: Consider paediatric input if: no social smiling by 8 weeks, persistent crying (>3 hours/day), or ongoing feeding concerns.
6–8 weeks
- Tracks objects smoothly with eyes
- Holds head up briefly when on tummy
- Responds to familiar voices
- Beginning to self-soothe (finding hands)
Typical weights at this age
| Typically around | Most are between | |
|---|---|---|
| Girls | 4.6 kg | 3.5–5.9 kg |
| Boys | 4.9 kg | 3.8–6.3 kg |
Ranges are the WHO Child Growth Standards typical range (3rd–97th centile) at this age. Babies born early are tracked by corrected age. Weights vary — your MCH nurse tracks your baby’s own curve, which matters more than any single number.
The six-week check
Growth, hips, heart, feeding and development, plus your questions. Your GP or a paediatrician can do it; the important thing is that it happens.
About the six-week checkTrusted resources
Your baby’s own timeline
Enter a birth date on the timeline tool to see milestones tuned to your baby — including corrected age for babies born early — and take the whole first 18 months with you as calendar reminders.
Open the baby timelineGeneral information only, aligned with Raising Children Network and green book developmental guidance. Babies vary, and corrected age applies for babies born early.
Concerns about your baby? Start with your MCH nurse (MCH Line 13 22 29) or your GP. For 24-hour nurse advice: NURSE-ON-CALL 1300 60 60 24.
In an emergency call 000. Last reviewed 2026-08-25.