Child development may be most visible when it comes to physical growth and mobility, but along with strengthening muscles and improving coordination, your baby is developing in other ways. He's figuring out his feelings about his world and about other people. Your baby needs friends his own age to encourage that exploration. Although he may not be old enough to do more than lie on a blanket and kick his legs, getting him together regularly with other babies is important.

It's also important for parents to meet other parents. You learn from each other; support each other; and commiserate with each other. Only another new mom understands how you haven't slept in a month, haven't combed your hair in days, and why you consider showering without a baby in a bounce seat in the room an absolute indulgence.

Playmates

Researchers used to think young babies didn't really interact and that all two-year-olds did was parallel-play (sit near and imitate each other, but not really play together). Researchers have now shown that even three-month-old babies look with interest at other infants. By six months, you'll see the beginnings of rudimentary games, such as one baby squealing and the second baby answering back.

Research has caught up with what a lot of parents know from observations. Peer relationships start early and are different from parental or sibling relationships. At two months those two babies on a blanket will probably just look at each other; at three months they may try to touch each other; at seven or eight months one may crawl over to the other (or over the other) and try to hand him a toy. In fact, for a while you'll think your child is wonderful at sharing as he tries to give toys to everyone (the “No, mine!” stage comes later).

Playgroups

If you do need encouragement to start socializing, there are two things to keep in mind. You'll stay a lot saner if you spend some time with moms of children the same age, and long-term studies have shown that children who form good friendships early do better in school later on.

Start a playgroup. Find out if there is a mothers' or newcomers' club in your area — most mothers' clubs sponsor playgroups. Attend a parenting class sponsored by your local hospital — “graduates” of some of these classes form playgroups. Take a lot of walks, get the phone numbers of other baby-toting mothers that you meet, and organize your own. Post a notice on the community bulletin board in the supermarket or in your synagogue or church.

Try to start out with at least five or six other mothers — that way you'll still have a quorum if one or two miss a session. Schedule your meetings at least weekly (you'll probably find that early morning hours are best for infants, but you'll shift the time as the babies get older and nap schedules evolve).

These early friendships may last for years, or they could be transitory. The moms may become close friends, while the kids drift apart. For right now, you're looking for a comfortable group of kids and mothers to share the experience of that first year. Even if you work full-time, look for (or organize) a playgroup that meets on weekends. The benefits for mom and baby are enormous.