At 3 months old, your baby has already come a long way since their birth. Their development is progressing at a rapid pace, and it is amazing to watch them grow and change. Here are some of the milestones and changes you can expect to see in your 3-month-old baby.
Table of Contents
Physical Development
Your baby’s physical development will continue to progress at a quick pace during their third month of life. They are likely to be able to lift their head up while lying on their tummy, and may even be able to roll over from their tummy to their back. They will also be able to grasp objects with their hands and bring them to their mouth.
At this stage, your baby’s vision will also continue to improve, and they will be able to focus on objects that are further away. They may also start to recognize faces and respond to familiar voices.
Social and Emotional Development
At 3 months old, your baby will start to become more social and interactive. They may start to smile at familiar faces and respond to your voice by cooing or making other noises. They may also start to enjoy playing with toys and engaging in simple games like peek-a-boo.
It is important to start building a strong bond with your baby at this stage, as their social and emotional development is just as important as their physical development. Spend time talking to your baby, singing to them, and playing with them to help foster a strong connection.
Cognitive Development
Your baby’s cognitive development will also continue to progress at a rapid pace during their third month of life. They will start to become more aware of their surroundings and may show interest in exploring new objects and textures.
At this stage, your baby may also start to associate cause and effect. For example, if you shake a rattle in front of them, they may start to understand that the sound is coming from the rattle and may even start to reach for it.
Sleep
Your baby’s sleep patterns may start to become more regular at 3 months old. They may be able to sleep for longer stretches at night, although they will still need to eat frequently. During the day, they may start to take longer naps, although they will still need several naps throughout the day.
It is important to establish a consistent bedtime routine at this stage to help your baby associate certain activities with bedtime and start to develop good sleep habits.
Feeding
At 3 months old, your baby will still need to eat frequently, typically every 2-3 hours. If you are breastfeeding, your milk supply may start to regulate at this stage, which can make feeding easier. If you are formula feeding, your baby may start to drink larger amounts at each feeding.
It is important to continue to pay attention to your baby’s hunger cues and feed them on demand to ensure that they are getting enough to eat.
Conclusion
Watching your baby grow and develop is an amazing experience, and the changes that occur during their third month of life are truly astounding. By understanding what to expect in terms of physical, social and emotional, cognitive, sleep, and feeding development, you can help support your baby’s growth and ensure that they are thriving.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When should my baby start rolling over?
Most babies start rolling over from tummy to back at around 4 months old. However, some babies may start rolling over earlier, while others may take a little longer.
2. How often should my 3-month-old be eating?
Your 3-month-old baby will still need to eat frequently, typically every 2-3 hours.
3. When should I start sleep training my baby?
Every baby is different, but most sleep experts recommend waiting until your baby is at least 4-6 months old before starting any kind of sleep training.
4. When will my baby start sitting up?
Most babies start sitting up on their own between 4 and 7 months old.
5. How can I help support my baby’s development?
You can support your baby’s development by providing plenty of opportunities for play and exploration, talking to them and engaging with them on a regular basis, and providing a safe and nurturing environment.