What’s It Like to be 3 Months Old?

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.