Babies undergo a lot of developments during the first 3 months of their life. Let us take a look the growth milestones that babies achieve during the first 3 months of their development.In the first three months your baby will learn to focus on objects and distinguish between voices. Here are some details about the developmental milestones that your baby may attain between four weeks to twelve weeks.
The Newborn Baby
Your
newborn can focus on your face and recognize it if you place it less than 12 inches away from the time she is 36 hours old. She can also distinguish your voice from all others. You will notice that she will flare her hands and legs quite a few times when she would get startled. This reflex is known as Moro reflex. If you notice that your baby is getting startled frequently, you can keep her swaddled.
The baby is also born with other reflexes like sucking, rooting, stepping, grasping etc. For example, if you put your finger in your baby’s hand, she will close her palm and warp her fingers around it. This reflex is known and grasping reflex. You will also notice that if you touch your baby’s cheek she will open her mouth and move her head unconsciously to search for food. Such reflex is known as rooting. She will show her sucking reflex if something touches her mouth. If you hold her upright in such a ways that her feet are touching a surface, you will notice that she will lift her foot one after the other as if she is trying to walk signifying her stepping reflex.
Four Weeks
If you put your face close to the baby's and talk to her, she will mimic your movements by opening and closing her mouth. She will also start recognising you as a source of comfort and stop crying when you pick her up. Cooing, gurgling and grunting are the only ways for her to express. You must encourage her when she starts communicating by using these ways. You will have to continue waking-up at night several times to feed her.
By this time her hearing will be developed to a greater extent but you need to take care as it is still sensitive. Hanging a cot mobile on her crib will help to boost her observational skills and also help her to keep engaged.
Six Weeks
She will smile back at you. Enjoy and treasure these wonderful moments. Her eyes will be able to follow a moving
toy. You must check your baby’s vaccination card as her next vaccination may be due by this time.
Eight Weeks
She will focus on a brightly coloured object held above her head after a few seconds and then follow it with her gaze as you move it from side to side. She will become more expressive than before. She will start recognising other family members apart from her parents. You must spend time talking and playing with her. You can read story books and get some picture books for her. Although, she may not understand anything but showing colourful pictures to her can help to
stimulate her brain. Playing gentle music can also help.
Ten Weeks
By this time your
baby will be able to hold her head and move her neck properly. Some babies may still need some more time to master this skill. It is important to spend time playing and chatting with her to stimulate her senses. She will also be more conscious about what is happening around her. You also need to check her vaccination card again as you may have to take her to the vaccination centre in this month. Consult a paediatrician and follow the right vaccination schedule for your little one. If you have missed any vaccination, talk to a paediatrician.
Twelve Weeks
Your baby is now 3 months old and by now her sleep pattern will improve considerable. She may get-up for a feed less frequently at night but some mothers may have to feed the baby at least twice or thrice at night. As the time passes her sleep pattern at night will get better and better so there is no need to worry. There is no need to mention that she will be more attached to you. Her eyes will follow you wherever you roam around in the house. When she is looking at you, keep the conversation on and enjoy her gurgles and cooing.
All babies are unique and they grow at their own pace. Some babies meet the developmental milestones quickly while some may take more time. But still if you are worried do not hesitate to discuss your concerns with your child’s paediatrician.