As a new parent, it’s natural to wonder whether your baby is reaching important milestones and how you can support their development during this early phase.
In this blog I’ll talk about developmental milestones for babies aged 0 to 3 months. We’ll discuss the milestones they typically reach during this period and suggest helpful activities to support their development. As new parents, it can be overwhelming, but simple interactions make a big difference.
Talking to Babies Face-to-Face:
One of the first things parents can do is engage in face-to-face communication. Talk to your baby throughout the day — while feeding, changing diapers, playing, or simply lying down together. Babies may not understand words at this age, but they do pick up on emotions and the tone of your voice. Gentle, loving conversations help build their social and emotional development.
Since newborns can only see up to about 30 centimeters (12 inches) away, which is roughly the distance from a parent’s face during feeding, speaking from this range is most effective. Babies begin mimicking facial expressions by three months. Smiling back, cooing, or responding to your speech are signs they’re trying to communicate. If you speak from one side, they may attempt to locate the source of the sound by turning their head. This auditory tracking is an important hearing milestone.
Tummy Time:
Tummy time is crucial for motor development. While preterm babies may need special consideration and doctor’s approval before starting tummy time, full-term babies can begin as early as possible. Start with short periods and gradually increase the duration.
Benefits of tummy time:
- Strengthens neck and shoulder muscles
- Helps babies learn to roll over from their side to their back
- Encourages babies to raise their heads to a 45-degree angle over time
Initially, babies may struggle to lift their heads, but consistent practice helps them build strength.
Visual and Tracking Skills:
During the early months, babies start tracking objects visually. Since they initially perceive high-contrast colors better (like black and white), holding or moving high-contrast toys or cloth in front of their eyes helps develop their visual tracking skills.
Suggestions:
- Hang objects or toys overhead when they are lying on their backs. The toys should be close enough for them to see.
- Move the objects or toys gently to encourage tracking, helping them improve focus over time.
Grip and Hand Development:
At around three months, babies begin to develop hand-eye coordination. They can grip objects but may not yet have the ability to release them easily. You might notice your baby holding onto some toys or even your hair in this time but it’s difficult to release. To encourage them to let go, gently help them open their fingers or move the wrist downwards to release. This builds awareness and control of their hand movements.
These are some small but significant milestones and activities for 0 to 3-month-old babies.
Next, I’ll discuss developmental milestones for 3 to 6 months, along with more activity ideas to help support your baby’s growth. Until then, stay well!
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