FirstWeeksYour baby at 28 weeks: memory switches on
Medically-informed · Sources: CDC · Updated June 2026
Object permanence is loading: dropped toys get searched for, hidden things exist now — and so does missing you.
What’s happening
Peek-a-boo gets real
Baby now knows the hidden thing still exists — that's why peek-a-boo suddenly produces full-body laughter.
Stranger awareness begins
Wariness with new faces and extra clinginess with you are commonly seen from around now. It's attachment working, not regression in social skills.
Drop-the-spoon game
Throwing things to watch you retrieve them is gravity research with a social bonus. Annoying and completely on schedule.
What to do
- Play hiding games — a toy under a cloth is the perfect level
- Give new people a slow warm-up next to you
- Attach toys to the high chair with short clips if the drop game wears you down
When to check in
No response to own name and no babbling by now — mention at your pediatric visit.
This is exactly what FirstWeeks shows you — matched to your baby
Week 28 guidance, skills to watch, and answers that know your baby’s age and log.
