Health Topics for Child Health and Development

UI Children's Hospital

UI Family Care Centers

Divisions Within the Department of Pediatrics

Iowa Registry for Congenital and Inherited Disorders

3-month-old child

A typical baby begins to play and socialize during the third month of life. Playing begins with the hands. They are looked at and played with for long periods. Smiling is frequent and babbling becomes the major speech event. Babies enjoy repeating actions or experiences and are comforted by consistent care. Routines and interactions with parents minimize a baby's anxiety and stress. Lack of routine promotes fragile growth instead of self-sufficiency. New growth and developmental milestones occur by the end of 3 months.

The typical 3-month-old's motor skills include:

• using voluntary control instead of reflexes
• reaching and grasping objects
• pressing feet against a surface when pulled to stand
• using a pulling up reflex with both hands
• beginning attempts to roll over from back to stomach
• using arms together or legs together or using one arm and one leg on the same side in unison and
• lifting head for many minutes and holding it more steady when held in a sitting position

The 3-month-old's language skills include:

• crying less
• whimpering, gurgling, squealing, chuckling, laughing out loud, and cooing and
• offering a vocal response to people

The 3-month-old's mental abilities include:

• developing hearing and seeing
• interacting with parent for 15 or 30 minutes at a time
• glancing from one object to another
• swiping at an object with a fist or reaching with both hands and
• using hands and mouth to explore objects and enjoys gumming

The 3-month-old's social traits include:

• regulating eating and sleeping patterns
• developing a strong attachment to mother through cries and sounds and
• turning head towards voices or people approaching

Give your baby lots of attention. You can never spoil a newborn. Spend a lot of time actively playing with your baby to stimulate its developing senses. Keep your baby safe from suffocation. Remove electrical and drapery cords, chains, and small objects from the baby's reach. Have the baby sleep on its back or side unless your healthcare provider has told you otherwise.

Be sure your baby receives the second Hepatitis B immunization now.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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