Newborn Development (0-3 Months)
What to expect in your baby's first three months
Physical Development
- •Reflexes dominate movements (Moro, rooting, grasp)
- •Jerky, uncoordinated arm and leg movements
- •Can lift head briefly during tummy time by 1 month
- •Holds head steady when supported by 2-3 months
- •Brings hands to mouth around 2 months
- •Opens and closes hands, beginning to bat at objects
- •Vision improves: focuses on faces at 8-12 inches
Cognitive Development
- •Recognizes parent's face and voice
- •Begins to follow moving objects with eyes
- •Shows interest in faces more than objects
- •Starts to show boredom (cries, looks away) if activity doesn't change
- •Begins to recognize familiar people at a distance
- •Responds to sounds by turning head
- •Discovers hands and fingers around 2-3 months
Social-Emotional
- •First social smile appears around 6-8 weeks
- •Enjoys being talked to and held
- •Calms when soothed by familiar caregiver
- •Tries to look at parent's face
- •Begins to smile in response to others' smiles
- •Shows preference for primary caregivers
- •Cries are the primary communication method
Communication
- •Crying with different patterns for different needs
- •Begins cooing and making vowel sounds ("ooh," "aah")
- •Makes eye contact during feeding and play
- •Turns toward sounds and voices
- •Startles at loud noises
- •Beginning of "conversation" - coos when talked to
"Is This Normal?" - Common Questions
Yes, positional plagiocephaly (flat head) is common because babies spend so much time on their backs. Increase supervised tummy time, alternate which end of the crib baby's head is at, and vary positions when holding. It usually improves as baby becomes more mobile. Mention it at your next pediatric visit.
Totally normal! Newborns are noisy sleepers. They grunt, snort, whistle, and make all sorts of sounds. They also have irregular breathing patterns with pauses (periodic breathing). As long as baby isn't turning blue or having pauses longer than 20 seconds, it's normal development.
It's common for newborns' eyes to occasionally cross or wander in the first 2-3 months because eye muscles are still developing. By 3-4 months, eyes should track together consistently. If constant after 4 months, mention to pediatrician.
Crying peaks around 6-8 weeks (1-3 hours per day is normal!). Babies cry to communicate all needs. If baby is inconsolable for hours, has a high-pitched scream, or you're concerned about colic, call your pediatrician. Trust your instincts.
Social smiles typically appear between 6-12 weeks, with 8 weeks being average. Every baby is different. If by 12 weeks there are no social smiles OR you notice other concerns (not tracking faces, not responding to sounds), mention it to your doctor.
When to Talk to Your Pediatrician
Contact your doctor if by 3 months your baby:
- ⚠️Doesn't respond to loud sounds
- ⚠️Doesn't follow moving objects with eyes by 3 months
- ⚠️Doesn't smile at people by 3 months
- ⚠️Can't support head when you pull them to sitting by 3 months
- ⚠️Doesn't reach for or grasp objects by 3 months
- ⚠️Doesn't bring hands to mouth by 2 months
- ⚠️Has eyes that constantly cross or wander (occasional crossing before 3 months is normal)
- ⚠️Seems very stiff or very floppy
- ⚠️Isn't gaining weight or growing
These are general guidelines. Trust your instincts—if something feels wrong, call your doctor.
Age-Appropriate Activities & Play Ideas
Tummy Time
Essential for building neck and upper body strength.
- →Start with 1-2 minutes, 2-3 times per day
- →Gradually increase as baby tolerates
- →Get down at baby's level, use mirrors or toys
- →Can do on your chest if baby fusses on floor
Face-to-Face Interaction
Promotes bonding and communication development.
- →Hold baby 8-12 inches from your face
- →Make exaggerated facial expressions
- →Talk, sing, make funny sounds
- →Respond to baby's coos and sounds
High-Contrast Images
Newborns see best in black, white, and high contrast.
- →Show black and white cards or books
- →Place contrasting toys where baby can see them
- →Faces are the most interesting "toy"
- →Baby can only focus 8-12 inches away
Gentle Movement
Helps with vestibular development and calming.
- →Gentle rocking, swaying, bouncing
- →Baby swing or rocker (always supervised)
- →Walks in stroller or baby carrier
- →Dance with baby (support head!)
Sleep Patterns & Expectations
- Total Sleep: 14-17 hours per day
- Night Sleep: Wakes every 2-3 hours for feeding (this is normal and necessary!)
- Naps: 3-5 naps per day, very irregular schedule
- Common Issues: Day/night confusion, frequent waking, short naps
- What Helps: Consistent bedtime routine, swaddling, white noise, darkened room for night sleep
- Remember: Sleeping through the night is NOT expected at this age. Frequent waking is developmentally normal.
Feeding Guidelines
🍼 Formula Feeding
- • 2-4 oz per feeding at first
- • Gradually increasing to 4-6 oz by 2 months
- • Feeding every 3-4 hours
- • About 24-32 oz per day total
- • Feed on demand, not strict schedule
🤱 Breastfeeding
- • 8-12 feedings per 24 hours
- • Every 2-3 hours (sometimes more often)
- • Cluster feeding common in evenings
- • Growth spurts around 2-3 weeks, 6 weeks
- • Feed on demand, watch hunger cues
Age-Specific Safety Concerns
- Safe Sleep: Always place baby on back to sleep. No blankets, pillows, or toys in crib.
- Car Seat: Rear-facing infant seat. Never place in front seat with airbag.
- Never Leave Unattended: On changing table, bed, couch, or any elevated surface.
- Support the Head: Always support head and neck when holding.
- Tummy Time: Only while awake and supervised.
- Temperature: Keep room 68-72°F. Baby should be dressed in one more layer than adult.
- Bath Safety: Never leave alone in bath, even in infant tub. Water temp 100°F.
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