Developmental Milestones Birth to Three Months
Typical Infant Development During the First Twelve Weeks
Oct 21, 2008
During baby’s first three months of life, she will continue her growth and development in many ways including motor, vision, hearing and language development.
Motor Development
During the first three months of life, your baby’s neck muscles strengthen considerably. She will begin to be able to hold her head steady to look at something, and to be able to pick her head up when on her belly. She may also learn how to roll from side to side by the end of the first three months, although she probably will not roll over quite yet.
Vision Development
At birth, the distance your baby can see clearly is about the distance from your face to your baby’s face while nursing or feeding a bottle. This provides excellent opportunity for you and your baby to bond since baby will eat so frequently during these first three months. Baby sees sharp contrasts best and will enjoy looking at black and white objects. She may seem fascinated by simple things such as a lighted window or lamp, or even a white wall.
As your baby grows, she will begin to study more and more things. Different shapes, colors and designs will catch her attention and she may also discover her hands and feet and study them. By three months, your baby may be easily distracted by things that she sees or hears. She should be able to follow a moving object, however briefly, and her eyes will still cross on occasion at the effort.
Hearing Development
Within the first few weeks of life, your baby may startle easily at loud or unexpected noises. These noises may wake her from a light sleep as well. She will start to react to common noises through kicking faster, or frowning, and by the end of the first three months, she may begin to smile when she hears your voice.
Language Development
For the first weeks of life, crying is the only form of communication baby knows. You may recognize a different cry when your baby is hurt, hungry, tired or has a dirty diaper. Around 2 months old, your baby may begin to smile at you, and start to make simple cooing noises. Spend time talking to your baby to help develop her language.
For the first three months of life, your baby is getting used to the world outside of her mother’s womb. Everything is new and she will spend a lot of time developing and learning. Provide your baby with opportunities to strengthen her muscles and stimulate her vision, hearing and language development on a daily basis
Learn about developmental milestones for three to six months.
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