Tracking objects?

m+j

When should a baby be tracking?  I've noticed that DS fixates on ceiling fans and bright lights but doesn't really give me as much eye contact and doesn't seem to track well.  He won't track my finger or hand and only somewhat tracks a rattle (more by moving his head than his eyes).  I looked this up online and lots of info on "early signs of autism" came up, so now I have myself all worked up over something that could potentially be normal.  Any input would be greatly appreciated.

CodyGH

He might not be able to see your hand/finger very well.  DS loves some black and white pictures we have in our breakfast room.  He has loved them since he was 2 weeks old!  He will turn his head when I walk by so he can look at them.  He mostly moves his head instead of just his eyes, but has started to just move his eyes.  I think your LO is normal.  Try taking a small black and white picture and holding it in front of him.  Once he has a good stare going, move it slightly in one direction.  He will most likely move just his eyes and maybe his head a little.  If not, just keep practicing!

ETA:  Oh!  And DS hardly ever looks me in the eyes, but I think it's because I have brown hair.  So he loves to look at the contrast between my hair and face or shirt.  My husband has blonde hair, though, so DS looks at the contrast in his eyes since it's more noticeable to DS.

wini77

DD only occasionally tracks items (and she LOVES ceiling lights).  She doesn't track my fingers, rattles or toys.  She does track the moving objects on her mobile, and last night DH was dancing around moving from right to left, and she was tracking him.  It was pretty darn cute.