Your Baby at 3 Months

Gross Motor and Large Muscle Development
On her back, she is now able to hold her head in the midline of her body. She may begin to rub her feet together and has lots of active kicking.  She is beginning to "find her hands" and will hold her hands on her chest, stare at her hands, etc.  On her stomach, she can prop briefly on her elbows or forearms and lift her head up for short periods of time.  In sitting, she is trying to keep her head still when supported in sitting. Less head-bobbing is seen, her back is rounded and she leans forward.

Fine Motor and Small Muscle Development
Her arms and hands now come together on her chest.  She may begin to swipe or bat at suspended toys, but with poor control.  She is beginning to clutch at clothing and blankets.

Cognitive, Social and Visual Development
She smiles easily and spontaneously, and may start to laugh and make vowel sounds (ooh, aah).  Her facial expressions and vocalizing increase.  She stares indefinitely at surroundings and will glance from one object to the next. She will glance from one object to the next slowly, smoothly and reliably with her eyes.  She is beginning to sense that her hands and legs are extensions of her and will look at and mouth her fingers. She watches her hands move and may bring them to her mouth.  She begins to recognize and differentiate family members or other people close to her.  Her patterns of eating, sleeping and alertness are more clearly regulated, and she anticipates feeding, being picked up, etc.

Activities for You and Your Baby

• Hold her up in supported sitting positions during the day so that she can practice holding her head steady for short periods of time. Place a moving toy at her eye level to encourage her to stay sitting for longer periods of time.

• Hang toys across her crib or on the floor when she is lying on her back so that she can really stare at them and maybe even begin to reach for them. When you are holding her while talking on the phone, let her play with the coiled phone cord. Give her a rattle to hold during a diaper change or give her a small cut-up sponge (1 x 3 inches) to hold during her bath.

• Bring your face within her reach when you hold her or during close interactive times. Kiss and nibble at her fingers if she makes attempts at reaching for you.

• Continue to give her opportunities to play on her tummy.  This will help her strengthen her head, neck and shoulders in preparation for learning to roll.