While every baby develops differently, these are common milestones for babies up to 3 months old.
How much will my baby grow?
- Weight: average gain of 1.5 to 2 pounds
- Height: average growth of more than 1 inch
- Head size: average growth of 0.5 inch
What can my baby do?
- Head bobs
- Turn head from side to side when placed on the stomach
- Bring hands or objects to mouth
- Look at hands
- Follow light, faces, objects
- Listen to sounds
- Hold, then drop a rattle or other object
What does my baby say?
- Begin to imitate some sounds (coos, vowel sounds)
- Cries become more purposeful and are different for hunger, fatigue, etc.
What does my baby understand?
- Familiar voices, especially of mother and father
- Smiles in response to others
- Responds to social contact, may coo
- Moves arms, legs, body in rhythm with other's voice
How can I help my baby's development?
- Hold your baby face to face and make eye contact.
- Talk to your baby with a soothing, animated voice throughout the day.
- Sing to your baby.
- Give your baby rattles and soft toys with different sounds.
- Let your baby hear different sounds (i.g., wind chime, ticking clock, soft music).
- Show your baby bright pictures of black-and-white images.
- Hang a mobile with bright objects above your baby.
- Call your baby by name.
- Hold your baby during feedings and provide comfort when he or she is distressed and cuddling when happy.
