Tundraco's Daily Living Guide to Raising Kids Milestones in Your Baby's Third Month

Your baby is growing and it is only natural to wonder how his development compares to other babies of the same age. Below are some general milestones for a three-month-old baby. If your baby has not yet reached them, never fear, he will get there. He is just going to do it at his own speed.

The biggest event that you will notice during your baby's third month is that he is beginning to find ways of interacting with his surrounding – other than just by crying. In addition, many infants will begin to sleep most of the night through, although some will still need an occasional nighttime feeding.

With increased muscle strength, comes coordination. This make is imperative that you never leave your baby alone in an insecure environment such as on a changing table. This is because the third month marks a major milestone – the baby learns to roll over!

• With increase leg strength, the baby can push himself over.
• When happy or sad, the baby will begin to react with it entire body, wiggling, kicking and vocalizing.
• Your baby should be able to raise and lower both his arms, with equal strength.
• He will also be able to straighten his legs and will have gained more strength in his kicks.
• He will be able to hold his head up for long periods.
• When held upright, the baby should be able to hold up his head for a minute or more, on his own.

Fine motor coordination involves small, purposeful movements, such as trying to grab an object.

• He should be opening and closing his hands a lot, and be able to keep his hands open for extended periods.
• He will also begin attempting to grab and hold things and he will begin trying to put things in his mouth.
• He will also discover that he has feet and will begin to play with them.
• If there is a mobile hanging over his crib, he will begin to make motions to touch it.

By three months, your baby will begin to develop a sense of patience. When hungry, he will be willing to tolerate a less than speedy feeding because he has learned that he can trust you and if he waits just a little longer, it will come – without the necessity of crying, although he may whimper a bit.

• By this stage, your baby should have begun to vocalize by making gurgling, cooing and babbling noises. This is the beginning stage of speech. He will also begin to laugh.
• He will come to realize that his hands and arms are part of his body and that he has control over them.

• He will begin to be able to distinguish between various facial expressions and what they mean.
• The baby should respond to the sound of your voice and will recognize you on sight.
• He will begin taking an interest in things going on around him and may even let go of the nipple during feeding just to look around.

If you have any concerns about your baby's development, be sure to broach them with your doctor.