Kaboutjie SA Mommy Blogs by Lynne Huysamen
The first three months of your baby’s life are filled with rapid growth and remarkable changes. Understanding the key developmental milestones can help you track your baby’s progress and provide the right support at each stage. Here are the significant milestones to look out for in the first three months of your baby’s life.
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Lifting Head
What to Expect
In the first few weeks, your baby will start trying to lift their head during tummy time. By the end of the first month, they might be able to lift their head briefly. By the third month, they should be able to lift their head and chest while lying on their stomach.
How to Support
Ensure plenty of supervised tummy time while your baby is awake. This helps strengthen their neck and shoulder muscles. Start with a few minutes and gradually increase the duration as your baby gets stronger.
Smiling
What to Expect
Around 6-8 weeks, your baby will likely flash their first genuine smile. This social smile is a significant milestone, indicating emotional development and recognition of familiar faces.
How to Support
Respond to your baby’s smiles with smiles of your own, talking to them in a warm and loving tone. This interaction helps reinforce the behaviour and supports their social development.
Following Objects With Eyes
What to Expect
By the end of the first month, your baby will start to track moving objects with their eyes. Initially, this might be slow and jerky, but by the third month, they should be able to follow objects smoothly.
How to Support
Use brightly coloured toys or objects with contrasting patterns to catch your baby’s attention. Slowly move the object from side to side and watch as they track it with their eyes.
Grasping Objects
What to Expect
In the first few weeks, your baby’s grasp is a reflex. By the third month, they will start to reach for and grasp objects voluntarily, though their grip might still be a bit uncoordinated.
How to Support
Provide soft toys and rattles that are easy to hold. Encouraging your baby to grasp and hold objects helps develop their hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.
Making Sounds
What to Expect
From birth, your baby will make cooing sounds and gurgles. These sounds are their early attempts at communication. By the end of the third month, they might start to experiment with different sounds and tones.
How to Support
Talk to your baby frequently. Mimic their coos and babbles, and encourage them to respond. This back-and-forth interaction is crucial for their language development.
Rolling Over
What to Expect
Rolling over usually starts around the end of the third month, though some babies might take a little longer. They might roll from their tummy to their back first, followed by back to tummy.
How to Support
Give your baby plenty of tummy time and encourage movement with toys and interesting objects placed just out of reach. Always supervise your baby during tummy time to ensure their safety.
Recognising Faces
What to Expect
From the first weeks, your baby will start to recognise familiar faces, particularly those of their parents and primary caregivers. By the third month, they might smile or show excitement when they see a familiar face.
How to Support
Spend lots of time face-to-face with your baby. Talk, smile, and make eye contact to help them learn to recognise and respond to faces.
Recognising Voices
What to Expect
Even in the first few weeks, your baby will start to recognise and respond to familiar voices, especially those of their parents. By the end of the third month, your baby might turn their head toward a familiar voice and show excitement.
How to Support
Talk to your baby often, even when performing everyday tasks. Sing to them, read stories, and engage in conversations. This helps your baby learn to recognise and distinguish different voices, fostering a sense of security and bonding.
The first three months of your baby’s life are a period of incredible growth and development. By understanding these milestones, you can better support your baby’s progress and celebrate each exciting achievement. Remember, every baby develops at their own pace, so it’s important to be patient and provide plenty of love and encouragement along the way.
