Your Baby Today

1-4 months

YOUR SMILING THREE-MONTH-OLD

All the world loves babies -- especially when they smile. This is a magical time in your baby's life and your own, so enjoy every moment of it!

Milestones this month | Finally: a little predictability! | When baby cries | Get ready to welcome a caregiver

Milestones this month*

Your baby can bring his hands together.
With a mighty effort, baby can raise his chest, supported by his arms, when he lies on his stomach.
Baby can roll over (one way).
He reaches for objects.
Baby can put some weight on his legs when you hold him upright.
He makes sounds like "ah goo."
Baby laughs out loud.
He squeals when he's happy.
Baby smiles spontaneously.
He can focus on very small objects.
Baby turns toward the sound of a familiar voice.

*All babies have their own internal developmental timetable. If your 3-month-old hasn't yet reached these milestones, rest assured that he will in time. If you have concerns about your baby's development discuss them with his doctor.

Finally: a little predictability!
Because your baby's nervous system is maturing as well, his internal clock is becoming better regulated. More-established patterns are surfacing; the baby's eating and sleeping habits now are more likely to fit into a routine. You'll also notice less crying. How nice!

When baby cries
One of the toughest decisions you may face will be about crying. Most experts recommend soothing those cries as soon as possible–at least during your baby's first few months. It's virtually impossible to spoil your new infant–hold and snuggle him continually. Coo with baby, too! As you watch baby grow and see how capable he is of entertaining himself, remember baby can use those same skills to calm himself when a crying spell occurs. If baby isn't able to calm himself, use toys, books, or music to comfort him rather than picking him up. Or direct his attention to his crib's mirror; it may distract him enough to calm him down.

Get ready to welcome a caregiver
By now, your baby is getting ready to meet the world head-on. And you may feel a bit more comfortable about leaving him with a familiar caregiver Helping him become accustomed to a new face and voice, even for just a short time, will help both of you become more independent.

Here are important instructions to share with your in-home caregiver:

How to comfort and calm your baby
Which are his favorite toys, books, and tapes
The most effective way to burp him
How to prepare your baby's bottle
The fine points of his eating and sleeping schedules
Where to find first-aid and emergency supplies
The phone number where you can be reached as well as other emergency phone numbers
Authorization forms that let your child receive emergency medical attention, if needed

At 3 months, the "typical" baby weighs 13 pounds and measures 24 inches. But don't worry if your baby is smaller or larger. Babies, like adults, vary in size and shape. In fact, the "average" weight for a 3-month-old can range from 9 to 16 pounds and the "average" length from 22 to 25 inches.

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