Life with a 3-month-old baby is all about settling into the parenting journey by establishing routines and getting to know your little one. There’s still some uncharted territory, but you may be feeling more confident in your abilities as a parent and excited about what’s to come with each passing day. Here, we’ll highlight some of the 3-month-old baby developmental milestones, answer some common questions about life at this stage, and reassure you that, although you may be short on sleep, you’re doing great! Show
Baby Development MilestonesThere’s a lot happening this month as your baby grows and becomes more aware of their physical self and the world around them. Here’s a look at some of the developments you may observe. Growth and Physical Development: Stronger by the DayThanks to developing bones and muscles, your baby is now able to stretch out their body, showing you just how long they are. On average, they’re probably growing about 1 to 1 1/2 inches per month and gaining about 1 1/2 to 2 pounds. Keep in mind that every baby is unique, and your baby’s growth may differ from these estimations. Your 3-month-old baby is slowly gaining more control over their body and the way they move. As a newborn, many of their movements were involuntary reflexes, but now they may start to be more intentional as they move their head, hands, and feet, for example. With their neck strength increasing, soon your baby may be able to hold their head up independently and look at people and things in their field of vision. At the same time, you may notice your baby begin to reach for objects nearby or follow moving objects with their eyes as their vision improves. Senses: Building Blocks of CommunicationThere’s a lot to discover, and your 3-month-old baby is learning to take it all in, bit by bit. Your baby’s vision at 3 months is improving, and they’re now more aware of circular shapes and patterns, including spirals and curls. Faces, especially yours, are among their favorite sights. When it comes to hearing and speech, your baby has learned to associate your voice with comfort and love. Now, they’re likely becoming more aware of your tone and emphasis on certain words, and they’ll try to mimic those sounds. At 3 months old, your little one is learning that conversations are a two-way process and picking up other concepts of communication. Watch as your baby takes in your delighted reaction to their babbles and their own delight in your singing or reading to them, for example. Movement: A Full-Body WorkoutAt around this time, most babies’ movements become more deliberate, and you’ll probably start to see some exciting developments in your little one’s motor skills. Stretching their body out helps to strengthen their leg muscles, and this is just the preparation they need to be able to roll over. Rolling over probably won’t happen for another two or three months, but they’re getting ready! Have you tried placing your baby on their feet while supporting them under their arms? You may notice they’re able to flex and straighten their legs on their own, which is great preparation for standing. Try letting your baby bounce themself in this position and see how proud they are of this new ability. You can help encourage your baby’s movement by providing daily tummy time sessions, handing toys to them, and letting them grasp at objects hanging from an infant gym or playpen. These activities can help your 3-month-old baby with motor development, hand-eye coordination, and other important skills. And, it’s not only your baby’s legs that get a workout this month. Your 3-month-old baby can now open and shut their hands to grasp things, like toys or your fingers. By now, they’ve likely gained slightly better control of their arms, so they can attempt to reach for objects and may try to bat at something that catches their eyes. Your baby has probably also gotten more successful at bringing their hands to their mouth, so it’s time to be extra careful about what they may be able to get their hands on. related baby tool Baby Growth Chart CalculatorKeep an eye on your baby’s average growth by tracking height, weight, and head circumference with our simple tool. Fill out your baby's details*:What is your child* BoyGirl This is a mandatory field.Age (between 0 and 24 months) This is a mandatory field. Weight (lbs.) This is a mandatory field. Height (in.) This is a mandatory field. Head circumference (in.) This is a mandatory field. Track your baby’s growth *Input details of your baby’s last measurements. **Source: World Health Organization Personality: Your Baby’s First “Conversations”Watching a baby’s personality emerge is one of the many joys of parenthood. Have you noticed your baby is smiling more and responding to your voice? That’s great! It’s likely that they really enjoy playtime with you and other people, and they’re now able to express their enjoyment with their face and whole body. They may even start to imitate some of your movements and facial expressions. If this isn’t happening yet, or if you’re wondering what a 3-month-old baby “should” be doing, remind yourself that all babies develop in their own way and on their own timeline. Your little one may now be having “conversations” with you, though these mostly consist of back-and-forth exchanges of sounds, smiles, and gestures. These little “chats” you have with your baby are not just fun but also help build their trust in you and boost their self-esteem. If you have other children in your household, you may notice your baby is increasingly interested in them. At this age, babies often have favorite people and become quite curious about other little ones. Babies make their needs known in different ways, and as a parent, you’ll get to know your own baby’s subtle (and not-so-subtle) cues that they need something. The ways they communicate with you are important parts of their personality and temperament. Eventually, you’ll get to know your baby’s urgent needs by the way they cry or from their body language, and you’ll learn to distinguish these cries and gestures from one another. Your baby’s cries of hunger will likely sound and look different than their cries of pain. Similarly, you’ll get to know when they’re simply fussy, or when a change of activity or favorite toy can calm them. Activities for Supporting Your 3-Month-Old Baby’s DevelopmentYour baby’s healthcare provider will share a variety of ways you can help foster your 3-month-old baby’s development. Many of these suggested activities will encourage movement and help your baby master the skills they will need to roll over, sit, and hold their head up, whereas others will promote cognitive and sensory development. Try the following strategies and activities to help support your 3-month-old baby’s development:
Feeding Your 3-Month-Old BabyThree-month-old baby feedings may become less frequent than they were in the early newborn days. Whether your baby’s nourishment comes from breast milk alone, or from formula, or from some combination of the two, most babies this age can consume a larger amount of milk at each feeding than they were able to in the previous two months. So, how much formula or how many ounces of breast milk might your 3-month-old consume? It’s now about 5 to 6 ounces on average. And how often does a 3-month-old eat when either breastfed or formula-fed? Their feedings will be less frequent, about 6 to 8 feedings in a 24-hour period. Since every baby is unique, the amount of milk your little one consumes and their feeding frequency and schedule may differ from the average. Tracking Wet and Dirty DiapersTracking diapers is a good way to gauge if your baby is getting enough to eat. Their stools may be more solid now and occur less often. As a newborn, your baby may have passed a bowel movement after every feeding, but your 3-month-old baby may only pass one once per day, or even once every two or three days. So, how many wet diapers might your 3-month-old produce per day? In general, you’ll know they’re feeding well when they produce around six wet diapers per day. As you’ve no doubt noticed, your baby’s going through lots of diapers. Download the Pampers Club app, if you haven’t already, to turn all those diapers into cash back. How Much Sleep Does a 3-Month-Old Baby Need?At this point, your 3-month-old baby’s sleep schedule may be going through some changes. All that growing they’ve been doing means that they’re able to eat more during the day and sleep more during the night. You may be wondering, should you wake your 3-month-old baby to feed? At this stage, it’s possible that your baby may require fewer or no night feedings. And, what about your 3-month-old baby’s nap schedule? They may take two or three naps during the day, followed by a longer stretch at night. At this age some babies may sleep through the night, which can mean snoozing six to eight hours without interruption, but it’s important to remember that this doesn’t happen just yet for all babies. How to Put Your Baby to SleepWhen putting your baby to bed at night, or for a daytime nap, follow these guidelines for safe, restful sleep and for reducing the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome):
Tips for a Good Night’s SleepIt’s a good idea to aim for a consistent baby sleep schedule that suits you both. Try the following tips for a more restful night:
Sleep TrainingAs your baby nears 4 months old, talk to their healthcare provider about sleep training—a science-backed process in which you teach your baby to fall asleep on their own and stay asleep longer. If you’re considering sleep training but not sure where to start, download the Smart Sleep Coach by Pampers. This easy-to-use app walks you through the sleep-coaching process, includes a sleep-tracking tool that optimizes bedtimes, and offers effective meditations to help you stay present and positive in frustrating moments. You can get a head start on sleep training today by taking the free sleep assessment. A Day in the Life of Your 3-Month-Old BabyLife with your 3-month-old baby can be full of surprises. Even if following a set routine is a ways off at this point, you could glance at this guideline for feeding, sleeping, bathing, and playing to add a little structure and fun to each day: Your Baby’s HealthSome health issues you may encounter this month may include:
Infant MassageYou may be wondering if there’s anything you can do to promote health and wellness beyond your baby’s regular playtime activities. Some babies enjoy the relaxation and bonding that comes from an infant massage. This activity can help strengthen your bond with your baby while reducing their stress levels, and possibly decrease their amount of crying. Your baby’s healthcare provider may have some specific advice, but here are some basic steps to follow:
You’ll want to wait at least 45 minutes after feeding before beginning a massage. If your little one ends up enjoying this activity, it can continue well into their toddler years, too. Development Tips for Your Baby This MonthConsider the following tips to help form a strong bond with your 3-month-old baby and foster a feeling of safety and security:
Items You Will Need This MonthHere are some baby gear items you may want to purchase or acquire this month if you haven’t already:
Your Life as a Parent: Dealing With Sleep DeprivationMissing those pre-baby mornings when you could sleep as long as you wanted? Any new parent can tell you sleep deprivation is a very real concern. Of course, you want to be at your best for your baby, but lack of sleep doesn’t make it easy. Here are a few suggestions to try to make things a little easier:
Checklist for This Month
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