Parenting Tips for Your 3 Month Old Baby
Contents |
How I Grow
- I hold my head and back pretty straight when you support me.
- When you hold me, I push with my arms and legs.
- When I’m on my tummy, I can lift my head, lean on my elbows, arch my back, and rock.
- When I’m on my back, I wave my arms and kick my legs.
- I like to put things in my mouth, so keeping things clean becomes even more important.
- I grab for things with both hands, but sometimes I miss.
- I like batting at things hung from a mobile or toy bar. I may have better aim with my feet than with my hands.
- I may get a thrill when you lift me to a standing position, but my legs are not strong enough to support my body yet.
- Don’t put me in a walker. I cannot control a walker and may get hurt. Help me learn to move but not with a walker.
- Make sure the air I breathe is smoke-free. Children whose parents don’t smoke have fewer colds and a lower risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
How I Understand and Feel
- I am becoming really interested in people. I don’t like to be left alone. Let me sit where I can watch you!
- I am learning that my actions can bring results and that I can count on you to help me when I need it.
- I’m starting to have a memory. I can remember that I like some toys better than others.
- I usually love to be held, rocked, and cuddled. If I’m very active, you may have to catch me when I’m tired, before I want to slow down long enough to cuddle. If I’m extra sensitive to lights and noises, you may have to turn everything down and then very gently hold me.
- I may make a big discovery soon. I will learn to recognize your face from a photo.
How I Talk
- When I see something I like, I squeal with delight.
- I coo simple sounds, such as "oy," "aah," and "ee."
- I answer you by gurgling and cooing.
- I say thank you by smiling and wiggling all over.
- I don’t cry as much as before. Have you noticed?
How I Respond
- I stare at the place where things drop, but I don’t watch where they go when they fall. Play peek-a-boo by hiding behind your hands or a blanket. I will love finding you when I see your face again.
- I follow sounds with my eyes.
- I like to listen. Talk to me in simple sentences — with real words.
- Read me a page or two from a book that has big pictures.
- I react with my whole body to familiar faces.
- I am really into sucking. I’m probably sucking on my fingers and fists. I stop sucking to listen to sounds or to look at things. Then I look and suck.
- I’m not always hungry when I’m sucking. A lot of the time I’m just learning about things by putting them in my mouth.
- I also use sucking to help me calm down when I’m upset. As I get older, I’ll grow out of my need to do so much sucking.
Learn more about Your 3 Month Old Baby from Just In Time Parenting. You can also go to our Resource Links for additional information on child care and development.
