Your Growing Baby’s First Quarter
The first three months bring incredible changes as your newborn transforms from a sleepy, curled-up baby into an alert, social little person who recognizes you and may even reward you with that first magical smile. Understanding what to expect helps you support your baby’s development and recognize their amazing progress.
Physical Development
Movement and Motor Skills:
Head Control (Gradual Development):
- Birth-1 month: Very little head control; head needs constant support
- 1-2 months: Brief moments of holding head up during tummy time; still needs support
- 2-3 months: Increasing head control; can hold head steady when supported in sitting position; lifts head 45-90 degrees during tummy time
- 3 months: Good head control when held upright; lifts head and chest during tummy time
Reflexes (Present at Birth, Gradually Disappearing):
- Rooting reflex: Turns toward touch on cheek (helps with feeding)
- Sucking reflex: Automatic sucking when mouth stimulated
- Grasp reflex: Curls fingers around object placed in palm
- Startle (Moro) reflex: Arms fly out in response to sudden noise or movement
These primitive reflexes gradually fade by 3-4 months as voluntary movements develop.
Hands and Arms:
- 0-1 month: Hands mostly in fists; jerky, uncontrolled arm movements
- 1-2 months: Discovers hands; brings hands to mouth; watches hands with interest
- 2-3 months: Opens hands more frequently; begins swiping at dangling objects; may briefly hold rattle if placed in hand
- 3 months: Brings hands together; reaches for and grasps objects; brings objects to mouth
Legs and Body:
- Initially, legs stay in fetal position (curled up)
- Gradually straighten and kick more actively
- By 3 months, vigorous kicking and leg pushing
- Enjoys “standing” when you support under arms (legs bear some weight)
Cognitive and Brain Development
Vision Development:
Birth-1 Month:
- Sees best at 8-12 inches (distance to your face while feeding)
- Attracted to high contrast (black and white patterns)
- Prefers looking at faces above all else
- Eyes may cross occasionally (normal)
1-2 Months:
- Begins tracking moving objects with eyes
- Focuses on faces for longer periods
- Sees more colors, especially bright primary colors
2-3 Months:
- Tracks objects smoothly from side to side
- Recognizes familiar faces from across the room
- Sees full range of colors
- Coordinates eyes better (less crossing)
- Shows interest in complex patterns
Hearing:
- Hearing is fully developed at birth
- Startles at loud sounds
- Calms to familiar voices, especially mother’s
- Turns head toward sounds by 2-3 months
- Recognizes parents’ voices and prefers them to strangers’
Learning and Memory:
- By 2-3 months, remembers objects briefly
- Begins to understand cause and effect (“When I cry, someone comes”)
- Recognizes routine patterns (bath time, bedtime)
- Shows anticipation (excited when sees breast or bottle)
Social and Emotional Development
The First Social Smile (Big Milestone!):
- 6-8 weeks: First true social smile appears (not just gas!)
- Smiles in response to your smile and voice
- This smile is intentional communication—baby is showing they recognize and enjoy you
- One of the most rewarding moments of early parenthood
Bonding and Attachment:
- Prefers parents to others (recognizes you by sight, sound, and smell)
- Calms more easily for primary caregivers
- Stares intently at your face, especially during feeding
- Developing secure attachment through responsive care
Emotional Expression:
- 0-2 months: Crying is primary communication
- 2-3 months: Beginning to show distinct emotions—happiness (smiling, cooing), distress (crying), interest (alert attention)
- May cry for different reasons with slightly different cries (hunger vs. tiredness vs. discomfort)
Social Interaction:
- 0-1 month: Brief periods of alert attention; watches your face
- 1-2 months: Increasing alert periods; maintains eye contact longer
- 2-3 months: Actively engages with you through eye contact, smiles, and coos; may coo back when you talk to them
- Beginning to show “conversations”—you talk, baby listens, then coos, you respond
Communication Development
Sounds Baby Makes:
0-1 Month:
- Crying is only communication
- Small grunts and sighs while sleeping or feeding
1-2 Months:
- Begins cooing (soft “ooh” and “ahh” sounds)
- Grunts and gurgles
- Different cries for different needs (hunger, tired, discomfort)
2-3 Months:
- More frequent cooing
- Begins early babbling sounds
- Makes sounds back when you talk (“conversations”)
- Laughs or chuckles (usually closer to 3 months)
- Increasing vocal play—enjoys making different sounds
Crying Patterns:
- Peak crying typically occurs around 6-8 weeks (may cry 2-3 hours per day)
- Crying gradually decreases after 2 months
- Evening fussiness is common
- By 3 months, crying usually decreases significantly as other communication develops
Sleep Development
0-1 Month:
- Sleeps 14-17 hours total per day
- No day/night differentiation
- Wakes every 2-3 hours to eat
- Sleep cycles are 50-60 minutes
1-2 Months:
- Beginning to develop circadian rhythm (day/night awareness)
- Slightly longer nighttime sleep stretches (3-4 hours)
- Still wakes frequently to eat
2-3 Months:
- More established circadian rhythm
- May sleep 4-6 hour stretch at night (some babies, not all)
- More consistent nap patterns emerging
- Total sleep: 14-16 hours per day
Supporting Healthy Sleep:
- Create day/night distinction (bright and active during day, dark and quiet at night)
- Begin simple bedtime routine (bath, feeding, song)
- Put baby down drowsy but awake sometimes (learning to self-soothe)
- Safe sleep always (back to sleep, firm surface, nothing in crib)
Feeding Development
Breastfeeding:
- Becoming more efficient (feeds may shorten)
- Growth spurts around 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months (increased feeding frequency)
- By 3 months, feeding is well-established and rhythmic
Bottle Feeding:
- Increasing intake gradually
- By 3 months: typically 4-6 ounces per feeding, 5-6 times daily
Growth:
- Expected weight gain: 5-7 ounces per week (slower after first month)
- Will grow about 1 inch in length per month
- Head circumference increases about 0.5 inch per month
Tummy Time and Physical Play
Why Tummy Time Matters:
- Strengthens neck, shoulder, and arm muscles
- Prevents flat spots on head
- Prepares for rolling, crawling, and other motor milestones
- Provides different perspective for baby
How Much:
- 0-1 month: Start with 1-2 minutes, 2-3 times per day
- 1-2 months: Work up to 5-10 minutes, several times daily
- 2-3 months: 15-20 minutes, multiple sessions
Tips for Successful Tummy Time:
- Do it when baby is alert and happy (not right after feeding)
- Get down at baby’s level—your face is motivation
- Place toys just out of reach to encourage reaching
- Place baby on your chest (counts as tummy time!)
- Use tummy time mat or blanket on firm surface
- Stop if baby becomes frustrated; try again later
If Baby Hates Tummy Time:
- Try shorter, more frequent sessions
- Tummy-to-tummy on your chest
- Over your lap while burping
- Side-lying position
- Keep trying—it gets easier!
Age-Appropriate Activities and Play
0-1 Month:
- Skin-to-skin contact
- Face-to-face interaction
- Gentle rocking and holding
- Soft singing and talking
- High-contrast images (black and white)
1-2 Months:
- Continue above activities
- Gentle massage
- Reading board books
- Showing bright, simple toys
- Moving objects slowly for baby to track
2-3 Months:
- Continue above activities
- Placing toys within reach
- Dangling toys above baby during floor time
- Mirror play (baby looks at self in mirror)
- Music and singing
- Taking baby to different rooms (new perspectives)
Best Toys:
- High-contrast patterns (black and white)
- Soft rattles
- Unbreakable mirror
- Soft books
- Activity gym with dangling toys
- Soft balls with different textures
Most Important “Toy”: You! Your face, voice, and interactions are more valuable than any toy.
Developmental Red Flags
Most babies develop at their own pace, but contact your pediatrician if:
Physical:
- Not moving arms and legs equally on both sides
- Seems very stiff or very floppy
- Not responding to loud sounds
- By 3 months, can’t hold head up at all
Social/Emotional:
- Doesn’t make eye contact or watch faces
- By 2 months, no social smile
- Doesn’t respond to your voice or faces
- Doesn’t calm to familiar voice
Other Concerns:
- Not showing interest in surroundings
- Extreme irritability or difficulty calming
- Your parental instinct says something isn’t right
Trust Your Instincts: If you’re worried about development, discuss with your pediatrician. Early intervention, if needed, makes a significant difference.
Supporting Your Baby’s Development
What Your Baby Needs Most:
- Responsive care: Meeting their needs promptly
- Face-to-face interaction: Talking, singing, making eye contact
- Physical contact: Holding, cuddling, skin-to-skin
- Safe environment: For exploration as they become more alert
- Routine: Predictable patterns help baby feel secure
- Love: You don’t need expensive toys or classes—your loving attention is what matters most
What You Don’t Need:
- Educational videos or apps (screen time not recommended)
- Expensive developmental toys
- Baby classes
- Structured “activities”
- Pressure to reach milestones early
Your baby will develop at their own perfect pace with your love, attention, and safe environment for exploration.
Looking Ahead
By 3 months, your baby has changed dramatically from that sleepy newborn. They’re awake more, interacting with you through smiles and coos, gaining head control, and showing their emerging personality. The next three months will bring even more exciting developments – rolling over, laughing, and increasing interaction. Enjoy every stage!