I have a 4 week old DD that will not look at me. She will fixate on my face for very small amounts of time, and then look away. She does look at me some while I am feeding her. I know that she is probably young, but I do not remember my other daughter not willing to look at me? Any ideas?
Thank you all so much for responding. I probably should have mentioned that my daughter has a genetic metabolic condition that can affect the eyes. So I am on high alert. I guess I was just trying to figure out what is normal. I talked with the pediatrician to express my concerns, and he said not to worry at this age, that her eyes are being tracked for her condition, and they look fine for now. If she is still not looking at us by 4 months he will send us to the eye doc(Although today she looked dead at the doctor when he set her on the table LOL). I am aware that Autism can not be diagnosed at a young age, and to be quite honest am not too worried about that at this point. Everyday she looks at us more and more so I think it will improve. When they tell you something like a metabolic condition everything becomes a symptom because she is so young. Thank you all I appreciate all your help!
My son did the same thing. I was terrified it was something sinister but my pedi told me kids are NOT autistic at that age. In that same visit, my pedi sat my son in front of him and my baby looked him dead in the eye with no problem! Little brat made me look like a crazy woman! Anyway he is 21 months now and fine. Don't worry.
I wouldn't worry just yet, she is very young. If memory serves, they are more interested in things like your hair line vs. making eye to eye contact. If only for brief bits of time, she may look directly at you, but I think that is more the norm.
Talk with your doctor, she may not be able to focus on you yet and their for can not see you. Cuddle and talk with her, sing some songs play with her, she will do some changes as she gets a little older. Be happy for what you have, you have a lovely daughter to love.
Two things to consider , She may be deaf, or be austic. Have her tested , because the medical field has made great strides in both of these area's. I hope I have been helpful . G.
She is only one month old and does not have to look at you yet. Stop worrying and just enjoy her.
I have heard that when babies are overstimulated they look away to try to relax. Maybe that's it?
It's too hard for her to focus right now. Give her time before you worry about it.
I know people want to help, but she is too young to worry yet about autism or anything like that. She is only 4 weeks old. All newborns start out as "blobs," but the slowly develop each skill and all at different rates. Ask the doctor at her next check up, but don't stress. Feeding is a bonding time so that is when she will start to watch your face more and more.
Go with your gut, not what people on a message board say.
Good luck!!!!
I don't blame you for alerting on things that affect a mother's instincts. My granddaughter was born with eyes described as "sundown eyes." All doctors kept disregarding my daughter's concerns. She noticed in a photo of the newborn that her left eye's retina reflected a white spot, where often there is "red eye." She researched on the web and discovered the likelihood of retinoblastoma. She took her to a pediatric opthalmologist and indeed the baby had been born with that not-so-common cancer. She'll be 5 in August and is cancer-free following chemotherapy from 3 to 9 months and removal of the eye at 13 months.
My point is this: NEVER second guess mother's instincts. Folowing through can save your child's life. Don't let others demean your gut feelings.
God bless!
When I gave birth to my baby girl, I'd already read a book called What to Expect when You're expecting. In this book it explains that a child can only see about 2 inches from her face...all other things appear as big black blobs until her eyes develop and start to focus.
My little girl didn't really "look" at me until about the 2nd month or so.
She just can't see. Don't worry about it. The day that she does "look" at you, you'll remember for the rest of your life!
Congratulations on your new bundle of joy and you're a terrific mom!
I had a similar situation with my son and at 4 mo my pedi recommended him see an opthamalogist. My husband swore from the beginning that he had no problems and just didn't like people in his face. We are going for our 6 mo check up today and we both feel he sees fine...can see upstairs when he is laying on the floor downstairs, etc. I really think he likes his personal space...with all that said, it could be her personality
When my son was that little he would look at the outline of my head not in my eye. A friend told me that babys at that age are looking at shapes of things not the actuall detail of my eyes nose mouth. They are new to this world it takes a little while for them to figure it out. If your really consirned ask your doctor. God bless.
