The American Academy of Pediatrics has identified important milestones for babies ages 1 month through 3 months. We've included fun and easy ways to help your newborn reach these key developmental markers, plus helpful information new parents should know.
By Catie Bielecki
Raises Head & Chest When Lying on Stomach
By Catie Bielecki
Raises Head & Chest When Lying on Stomach
Type of Milestone: Physical
Practice with Baby: Give him lots of tummy time. Every time he lifts his head -- even if it's just for a few seconds -- he is strengthening his neck muscles.
Mama Must-Know: At this age, Baby might start to seem much taller and thinner. This is because his bones and muscles are growing and his limbs are loosening up.
Watches Faces Intently
Type of Milestone: Social
Practice with Baby: Buy an unbreakable mirror to hang near your baby's crib or changing table. She'll love seeing her own facial expressions and movements.
Mama Must-Know: She can now process your face as a whole, instead of just focusing on individual such as your eyes.
Practice with Baby: Give him lots of tummy time. Every time he lifts his head -- even if it's just for a few seconds -- he is strengthening his neck muscles.
Mama Must-Know: At this age, Baby might start to seem much taller and thinner. This is because his bones and muscles are growing and his limbs are loosening up.
Watches Faces Intently
Type of Milestone: Social
Practice with Baby: Buy an unbreakable mirror to hang near your baby's crib or changing table. She'll love seeing her own facial expressions and movements.
Mama Must-Know: She can now process your face as a whole, instead of just focusing on individual such as your eyes.
Smiles at the Sound of Your Voice
Type of Milestone: Developmental
Practice with Baby: Speak to him with dramatic baby talk. High-pitched, slow, and exaggerated voices are his favorite. Widen your eyes and mouth to encourage his smile.
Mama Must-Know: Baby loves your voice best because it reminds him of food, comfort, and warmth.
Practice with Baby: Speak to him with dramatic baby talk. High-pitched, slow, and exaggerated voices are his favorite. Widen your eyes and mouth to encourage his smile.
Mama Must-Know: Baby loves your voice best because it reminds him of food, comfort, and warmth.
Begins to Develop a Social Smile
Type of Milestone: Social
Practice with Baby: "Smile-talk" with him. Sometimes he'll aim a big smile at you and even babble to catch your attention. Immediately smile back. Likewise, you can start a smile conversation by giving the first smile whenever you notice him watching you attentively.
Mama Must-Know: Your baby might be shy to meet your gaze at first, but having a smile conversation helps him from becoming overwhelmed.
Supports Upper Body with Arms When Lying on Stomach
Practice with Baby: "Smile-talk" with him. Sometimes he'll aim a big smile at you and even babble to catch your attention. Immediately smile back. Likewise, you can start a smile conversation by giving the first smile whenever you notice him watching you attentively.
Mama Must-Know: Your baby might be shy to meet your gaze at first, but having a smile conversation helps him from becoming overwhelmed.
Supports Upper Body with Arms When Lying on Stomach
Type of Milestone: Physical
Practice with Baby: Give him plenty of tummy time. Encourage him to lift his upper body by talking to him or holding a bright toy in front of him.
Mama Must-Know: Babies who don't spend enough time on their bellies might have a hard time learning to roll over and crawl.
Follows Moving Objects
Practice with Baby: Give him plenty of tummy time. Encourage him to lift his upper body by talking to him or holding a bright toy in front of him.
Mama Must-Know: Babies who don't spend enough time on their bellies might have a hard time learning to roll over and crawl.
Follows Moving Objects
Type of Milestone: Cognitive
Practice with Baby: Hang a bright mobile above your baby's crib or changing table. Set it at a low speed at first. As he gets better at following the objects, gradually increase the speed setting.
Mama Must-Know: At this age, Baby's eyes should be working together to move and focus. If it doesn't seem like they are, talk with your pediatrician.
Practice with Baby: Hang a bright mobile above your baby's crib or changing table. Set it at a low speed at first. As he gets better at following the objects, gradually increase the speed setting.
Mama Must-Know: At this age, Baby's eyes should be working together to move and focus. If it doesn't seem like they are, talk with your pediatrician.
Begins to Babble
Type of Milestone: Language skills
Practice with Baby: Read to your baby often. Choose baby books with bright pictures and high-contrast patterns to visually stimulate him as well.
Mama Must-Know: By listening to adults talk, Baby is learning the importance of verbal communication.
Practice with Baby: Read to your baby often. Choose baby books with bright pictures and high-contrast patterns to visually stimulate him as well.
Mama Must-Know: By listening to adults talk, Baby is learning the importance of verbal communication.
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