Is this serious regression or just a phase?

[lovinlife114]

My lo started smiling back at me when she was about 7 wks, then around 9 wks she stopped smiling back at me and avoids eye contact. It has been a whole week without improvement. I've been driving myself crazy looking it up online. Is it too soon to tell if this is a sign of a problem? Should I be worried that this is a sign of some disorder? Was this something that anyone else experienced when their children were very young? Please help!

[tangledblue]

Other people with more experience feel free to weigh in, but this doesn't sound weird to me. Just keep playing with her and you'll see it again. But kids (probably even very little ones, :)  ) don't always perform at cue.   I don't think my dd smiled regularly until more like 12 weeks and now she is the most cheerful bubbly 3 year old you can imagine. I would regularly drive myself nuts worrying about stuff like this as a new parent--don't follow my example!  :)

[FarmerBeth]

I think she's a little young to worry.  The first three months really are like the "fourth trimester" (despite the crazy illogic of the verbals). A lot of babies get over stimulated easily off and on at that age and might stop making eye contact.  I'd say give it some time. 

From personal experience, all three of my kids smiled back just fine (and I was very aware due to working with special needs kids).  I even tracked behavior with my third because I had volunteered to help with some research (that I had encountered through work) on infant temperament ratings.  Anyway, in my case, my NT daughter smiled no differently or seemed to make eye contact any better than my ASD son.  That early, there really wasn't any difference in terms of smiling or eye contact.

[lovinlife114]

Ok, thanks for the feedback. I'm going to try to take your advice and just relax about the whole thing and wait until she's a little older before I worry. 

[ErinYay]

We didn't really notice anything wonky with DD's eye contact until around 5 months. She never made eye contact while nursing, but that in and of itself isn't such a big deal at such a young age. Our 13-week-old is very engaging and looks at us a *lot*, but sometimes she just wants to watch that cool red balloon over there. She's very cheerful and laughs a lot, but didn't start really laughing and getting stoked to see us until 9-10 weeks, so you still have a lot of time.

Good luck to you! Enjoy your tiny little new one!

[lovinlife114]

Just an update, for anyone who may be interested. DD just hit 12 weeks and it was like a switch was flipped, she suddenly watches me all the time and smiles and coos at me very frequently. I appreciate the advice that you all gave :)

[FarmerBeth]

Happy to hear things are well with you and your little one!