You have probably noticed a lot of changes in your baby since her birth. All areas of her development--physical, social, and cognitive--are changing daily. Having an awareness of what is expected developmentally can help you determine if your baby is moving in the right direction. BabyCenter reminds parents that babies achieve milestones at their own pace. If you have concerns about your baby's level of development, you should contact your baby's pediatrician.
Social
According to HealthyChildren, a website associated with the American Association of Pediatricians, a three-month-old is beginning to flourish as a social butterfly. He enjoys playtime, is developing a social smile and may even try imitating you. He will try to communicate with you through expressions and movements.
Physical
According to KidsHealth, a three-month-old can open and close her hands, will swat at objects, and will begin to grasp at, hold, and perhaps even bring an object to her mouth.
Her strength is growing, too, according to HealthyChildren. Her neck and back are strong enough to raise her chest and head while laying in her belly. And when you "stand" her up, she can bear weight.
Cognitive
Your baby's vision is improving and he will show interest in watching faces. Her eyes will track a moving object. His improving vision will help him to recognize people at a distance, as well as experience increased coordination. According to HealthyChildren, your baby will begin to babble, try to imitate sounds, and respond to sounds by moving his head.
Sleep
Nearly all parents of a new baby look forward to the day their baby begins sleeping through the night. A three-month-old typically sleeps 12 to 15 hours a day, according to BabyCenter. This range includes nap times and nighttime sleep combined. Your three-month-old may have dropped most of her overnight feedings, and some time between three and six months, is capable of sleeping through the night. According to BabyCenter, this means five to six hours, not the eight or nine you were likely hoping for.
Keep in mind that once your baby does start sleeping through the night, it likely won't be permanent. Many babies have sleep disturbances when teething and hitting milestones like rolling, sitting, crawling and walking.
Warning
HealthyChildren, while acknowledging that all children hit milestones on their own time, encourages you to talk to your baby's pediatrician if he is not hitting particular milestones by three months, as it could indicate a health or developmental problem.
If your baby does not notice his hands, respond to loud noises, smile at people, hold his head well, hold objects, is scared by new faces, has crossed eyes most of the time, or doesn't bear weight when you stand him up, contact his doctor for further assessment. If there is a problem, the earlier the intervention, the better.
