Your baby has reached month three, the outset of what some seasoned parents may draw as the enchanted months.

For the side by side several weeks, your cute bundle of smiles will probably be pretty happy (often, hopefully!), sleeping for longer at night (sometimes!), and not yet independently mobile (less stressful for parents).

In other words, your babe will be a little treasure to be around for a skillful chip of the fourth dimension. Ahhhhh.

Here's what else to expect this calendar month.

Your 3-month-former baby'south development

At a Glance

Sleeping basics

Babies up to 3 or iv months old need 14 to 16 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period, usually waking every two to four hours to eat. They'll probably exist on the longer end of that range by the 3- or 4-calendar month mark, though every baby is different.

Feeding basics

Breastfed babies should eat as much as they want at this age, simply a general rule of thumb is 4 ounces of pumped chest milk or formula every three to four hours (requite or have) over a 24-hour period.

Did you know?

Babies this age love hugs, which tin assist with cognitive development, research shows.

Your babe volition most probable be able to lift the head ninety degrees — thanks to all that tummy fourth dimension do you've been providing.

Other milestones to look for this month: She'll exist able to laugh out loud and can probably anticipate being picked upwardly when she sees you lot accomplish out.

She'll as well probably be able to curl over and plough in the direction of a sound.

Many babies this age will have expanded their speaking repertoire to be able to cord together vowels and consonant sounds — like "ah-goo."

And all babies love to play with their favorite toys — play gyms and activeness mats, of course, only too sensory toys that trill, squeak, tweet or rattle when pressed or shaken.

High on the fan favorite list are fun things that play music, especially in reaction to your baby's movements. And because your picayune one is reaching for toys at present, she'll especially love any plaything she can grab.

Be sure to continue reading to your curious cutie and watch how captivated she is by the pictures as yous plow the pages.

Your iii-month-old baby's growth

Does your baby seem to exist gaining a piddling too much weight, or a little too petty?

Before y'all jump to whatever conclusions about your little ane'south rate of growth, chat with your doctor most whether she is actually overweight and not merely baby-appropriately rounded … or actually underweight and non but genetically predestined to be on the slender side.

For an accurate assessment, talk to your pediatrician and accept a look at your babe'southward weight in relation to length on the height-weight chart.

If both the acme and the weight are on a similar bend, it could be that your baby is just bigger or smaller than boilerplate.

But if your piffling one's weight seems to be moving up faster than baby's length, or vice versa, your doctor will let you know (and you can enquire for advice likewise). Your baby may exist picking upwardly a few likewise many pounds too quickly … or not putting them on quite chop-chop plenty.

Why does it matter? Babies who gain weight besides rapidly in the outset half-dozen months may be at an increased risk of obesity by as early every bit age 3. And babies who stay overweight through age four are at increased risk of becoming overweight adults.

And then once your doctor confirms that your baby needs to slow down a bit, y'all'll want to put the brakes on the fast-paced growth by not overfeeding your trivial one.

In other words, don't always soothe baby with a bottle or the breast whenever she'due south fussy. Try other sources of comfort and realize those cries may not always hateful she'southward hungry.

As well attempt not to button baby to finish the bottle or the other breast if she signals she'due south full. And make sure your baby gets plenty of fourth dimension to motility around while she's awake. Resist the urge to strap infant into the car seat or swing most of the 24-hour interval.

If, on the flip side, your baby seems to be on the as well-lean side (and the doctor agrees), you'll probably need to step upwardly your feeding efforts so she can pace up that weight gain.

Brand sure your trivial one is eating oftentimes enough and getting enough milk during feedings. Some babies are too decorated or too sleepy to demand regular meals, and others skimp on feeds because they're just as content to suck on a pacifier.

Your 3-month-old babe's wellness

Baby is in between well-babe visits this month, but at that place are however plenty of exciting things happening with her growth, evolution and health.

Baby eczema

If your niggling i has dry out, flaky, rashy skin, she could have infant eczema. In babies, rashes usually get-go out on the scalp and face. Children with lighter pigmented skin tend to have pink or red version, while babies with darker pigmented skin tend to accept a red-dark-brown, purplish or grayish rash. Read More

Ear infections

Babies go ear infections when they catch a common cold or other upper-respiratory infection, which causes the lining of one of the ear tubes to swell, become congested, and accumulate fluid. Read More

Baby sunscreen rules

Babies this age should be kept out of direct sunlight, only if you lot can't find a spot in the shade, it's okay to apply a little flake of baby-safe sunscreen with an SPF of 30 to l to your little one's face, back of the hands and tops of the anxiety. Read More

COVID-19 symptoms in babies

About babies seem to develop adequately mild cases of COVID-xix, and some of the symptoms — runny olfactory organ, sneezing, cough — are similar to those of the common common cold. But infants may accept college rates of more serious illness than older kids. Read More

Skin rashes

Bug bites, allergies and viral and bacterial infections can all crusade itchy rashes that can range from scaly or pimply to oozy. Rest assured, most peel rashes are no big deal, and volition get away on their own or with a little aid from the doc, who may advise a prescription or OTC foam or medication. Read More

Postpartum & new babe tips

Infant at concluding

She may not get an actual diploma, merely this month marks your babe'south official graduation from newborn to infant status. She's all the same got a lot to acquire (obviously!), but 1 thing she definitely realizes now is there'due south more to life than eating, sleeping and pooping!

These days, she's probable to stay awake for longer stretches during the solar day and (with any luck) stay asleep for longer at night besides.

Your infant is no doubt making you chuckle besides, and she's probably giggling by now (bring on the raspberries!) as well equally bringing those little paws together (clap hands!).

Some babies may fifty-fifty brainstorm to comport a fleck of weight on their legs, only don't worry if yours doesn't — she's not ready and that's just fine.

Exercising after baby

If yous're struggling to notice fourth dimension to fit in exercise, exist easy on yourself. It can be as elementary equally taking out the stroller.

Just make certain yous've gotten the green light from your practitioner before starting back into your exercise routine, and never exercise to the betoken of exhaustion (you lot're probably exhausted enough from the lack of sleep!).

Besides helping you with weight loss afterwards commitment, a brisk walk with baby is a great way to meet other parents, stay salubrious and clear your mind.

Your baby'south personality

One affair your 3-month-erstwhile babe is definitely ready to do is bear witness you that budding personality.

She may exist serious, silly, gregarious, persnickety or determined — the lesser line is she is who she is and she'due south all yours!

Don't give in to the urge to compare your piffling i with other babies. Every infant is different and special!

Finding a caregiver

Online searches can be a adept way to find child intendance, but the all-time way to discover out about top-notch babysitter or nanny candidates or reputable day care centers is often word of oral fissure.

Don't be shy about request parents if they tin can recommend a peachy infant caregiver. Nursery school teachers and your kid's pediatrician are also good sources, as are bulletin boards at your doctor'due south office, library or house of worship.

If you lot do get online, become names of licensed day care centers near you from your state's Web site (commonly, the 2-letter postal abbreviation followed by .gov). And then arrange a visit with your fiddling one.

Looking for a nanny? Agencies on the Web sometimes sell lists of pre-screened candidates — though you should always look into references yourself and make certain there's been a thorough groundwork bank check, besides every bit doing in-person interviews (with your baby!).

Boosting baby's development

Aside from your usual intendance and feeding of your babe, your chore now is also to stimulate your footling one's intellectual growth.

That's less complicated than it sounds — singing and talking are two wonderful means to help a babe's brain shift into high gear.

Some new twists to try:

  1. Utilise different tones of voice as yous speak.
  2. Sing songs with surprise endings — "Popular Goes the Weasel" is an oldie simply goodie.
  3. When you tell a story or recite a nursery rhyme, insert your baby's name for a character's proper noun so she gets used to hearing it in a variety of tones and situations.
  4. Another nifty mode to increase baby'south awareness of the world is to have your little one on expeditions. Go for a walk and sentry baby respond with glee as she sees leaves move and birds wing, or listens to the sounds of dogs, cars and simply about anything that makes a noise.

Fun games for baby

At playtime, those piffling hands and fingers are your baby'southward notwithstanding favorite toys, but now she might exist able to do even more with them.

During breadbasket time, which she should be condign a pro at by at present, try rolling a ball about 2 feet in front end of your baby. With a little exercise she'll presently be able to coordinate hand-and-eye movements to achieve for it.

It's schedule time!

Now that your baby is 3 months old, she'due south developmentally gear up to be put on a schedule. Yay!

But don't insist on a minute-past-minute plan. A too-strict schedule can exist too much, while none at all is besides stressful and difficult on the whole family unit.

How can you establish a routine that works for everyone? Attempt to innovate a few anchors into your babe'southward day: a special chair for nursing, for example, a walk after lunch, and bath and bedtime at the same time and in the aforementioned fashion each evening.

If she'southward feeding more oftentimes than you'd similar, gradually stretch out the between-meal intervals by distracting infant with a song, a toy or a book.

If she ofttimes falls comatose without finishing a feed, try to wake your baby up until it'due south over then you won't have to start again then before long.

The goal: Help your little one ease into a pattern that'south non too strict or likewise loose, but just right.

From the What to Wait editorial squad and Heidi Murkoff, author ofWhat to Look When You're Expecting. What to Wait follows strict reporting guidelines and uses but credible sources, such equally peer-reviewed studies, bookish research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we proceed our content authentic and up-to-date past reading our medical review and editorial policy.

  • What to Expect the First Twelvemonth, tertiary edition, Heidi Murkoff.
  • WhatToExpect.com, Pare Rashes in Babies and Toddlers, June 2020.
  • WhatToExpect.com, Coronavirus Symptoms in Babies, March 2020.
  • WhatToExpect.com, Easing Ear Infections in Babies and Toddlers, October 2020.
  • WhatToExpect.com, Infant Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis and Contact Dermatitis), November 2018.
  • WhatToExpect.com, Sunscreen and Sunday Protection for Babies: What Parents Need to Know, Nov 2020.
  • WhatToExpect.com, How Much Should My Baby Eat?, April 2020.
  • WhatToExpect.com, Here's How Much Sleep Babies Need, June 2020.
  • WhatToExpect.com, Newborn and Babe Slumber Basics, May 2020.
  • National Sleep Foundation, How Much Sleep Does Your Babe Really Need?, 2020.
  • National Institutes of Health, Risk of Obesity at four to half-dozen Years of Age Among Overweight or Obese 18-Calendar month-Olds, April 2013.
  • American Academy of Pediatrics, Developmental Milestones: iii Months, June 2009.
  • American University of Pediatrics, Pacifiers and Pollex Sucking, November 2020.
  • KidsHealth From Nemours, Your Infant's Growth: 3 Months, January 2019.
  • Mayo Dispensary, Pollex Sucking: Help Your Kid Break the Habit, September 2020.

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