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As your newborn grows, you will observe changes every few days. When babies reach three months, they start responding more to their surroundings, show a predictable sleep pattern, explore objects around them, and cry less. At this juncture, if you are looking for some smart and effective 3 months baby care tips, you are at the right place. Your baby’s developing activities may excite you, but you need to adapt your baby-care regime to match and support the physical and psychological development of your little one. Additionally, you may need to take necessary measures to ensure their safety. In this post, we have compiled a list of useful baby care tips for 3-month-olds to help you take better care of them.
Key Pointers
- Breastfeed your 3-month-old baby as it is the healthiest food.
- Make sure your baby sleeps on their back and in their own bed.
- Use gestures, sounds, and songs to communicate with your baby.
- Help your baby’s development by providing teethers and taking them to the park.
- Ensure your baby’s safety by keeping harmful objects out of reach and using a car seat.
Most Useful 3 Months Baby Care Tips
1. Continue breastfeeding
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Breast milk is the healthiest food for a three-month-old baby. Still, many three-month-olds are not exclusively breastfed. According to the US CDC National Immunization Survey 2012-2019 report, only 45.3% of infants were exclusively breastfed through three months in 2019.
Experts suggest that breastfeeding is a crucial part of three-month baby care. Moreover, babies tend to develop a feeding schedule in the third month. Hence, breastfeeding plays a significant role in the care and development of a three-month-old baby.
You may also include formula feeding if your doctor suggests it for your baby. However, avoid giving your baby juice, cow’s milk, plain water, or any solid food at this stage. If you are a working mother, pump your breast milk into a bottle with the help of a special breast pump and store it in a refrigerator. Breast milk can last for up to 48 hours in a refrigerator. Instruct your hired caregiver to feed your baby the milk using a bottle when you are away at work (1).
2. Put your baby to sleep
A three-month-old baby tends to sleep for five to six hours continuously. So you can try to start to put your baby to sleep at night. Make sure you make them sleep on their back and let them sleep by themself. Burping the baby after feeding, bathing, swaddling, and creating a calming environment will also help to make the baby comfortable and facilitate good sleep. Even if three-month-old infants wake up and cry in the night, they tend to go to sleep again after some time (2). However, the nighttime waking could also mean they are hungry. You may consult with your pediatrician about the baby’s sleep and feeding expectations based on their development and weight.
3. Communicate with your baby
In the third month, your baby is much more expressive than earlier and responds to sounds and gestures. Make simple gestures to amuse your baby while also bonding with them. Use sounds and songs to attract her attention. Since your baby tends to develop a good grip, you can place safe and soft toys in their hands during their playtime and let them discover them. Grabbing soft toys will please your baby and entertain her. You can play peek-a-boo games with her.
Quick fact4. Encourage developmental changes
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In the third month, your baby will exhibit many growth and developmental milestones, like improved head control, chewing, sucking, chomping, and drooling. Even though a three-month-old does not have any teeth, they like putting something in their mouth, and this is when teethers and other teething toys can amuse your little angel. Also, your baby’s social responsiveness increases, and they may enjoy going out and observing their surroundings. So you can schedule some time to take your three-month-old out in the park every day (3). Engaging in these activities may help in a 3-month-old baby’s development and provide them with new experiences.
Amber, a mom of four children, shares her youngest baby, Brady Jordan’s three-month developmental milestones on her blog. She says, “Brady remains on a pretty consistent eating schedule. He sleeps and eats and plays around the same time every day. Brady’s eating about 5 to 7 times every day and 3 of those are from the bottle.
“He smiles in response to anyone saying hello and talking to him in a sweet voice,.he especially loves looking at and ‘chatting’ with his sisters. He’s got awesome head and core control and can be held on my hip without being too floppy and in the times we have laid him on his tummy to play he raises his head up and moves around as he pleases with ease. I have noticed that he’s starting to turn himself to the side when he’s laying in the swing or in the dockatot. He takes 1-2 long naps during the day – usually about 2 hours in the morning and 2+ hours in the afternoon around 2-3pm (ⅰ).’’
Quick tip5. Exercise safety precautions
Your baby turns clever now and puts objects that she comes across straight into her mouth. So you need to be extra careful and work more for her safety. Scan the environment around her. Consider using play mats to ensure the play area is safe and free of potential hazards. Keep all medicines, pointed toys, and other stuff that may harm your baby away from her. Place the baby crib away from doors and windows. Disinfect the baby gear and baby’s room, and keep it clean at all times. Make sure your infant’s car seat is in the back seat since it is the safest for her. Ensure your infant is well-secured in her car restraint when on the go.
Additionally, babyproofing your home can help create a safe environment for your little one to explore and develop in. Another useful tip to take care of your three-month-old baby is to ensure that they receive their vaccinations on schedule, while also keeping track of their growth milestones through regular pediatrician visits.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can I help my three-month-old learn through play?
Engaging in various age-appropriate learning activities for a 3-month-old baby, such as clapping hands in different positions, imitating facial expressions, leg pedaling, and verbally interacting with the baby can help them learn through play. Additionally, incorporating tummy time and playing with their favorite object can promote vocalization, attention, motor movements, and body language development (5).
2. How can I soothe a crying three-month-old baby?
Three-month-old babies can self-soothe. However, picking up and holding the baby, walking the baby in a stroller, using white noise, rocking, and ensuring they are well-fed and are in clean diapers are some effective soothing techniques that can help a fussy baby (6).
3. How often should a 3-month-old be fed, and how much should they eat?
A 3-month-old breastfed baby may feed approximately eight to ten times in a 24-hour period. Formula-fed babies at three months usually eat less often, typically every 4-5 hours. They may consume around 4-5 ounces of formula per feeding (7). However, it’s important to note that each baby is unique; some may feed more or less frequently.
4. What are some potential health issues that 3-month-old babies may experience, and how can parents identify them?
At three months old, babies may experience various health issues. Some common health concerns for 3-month-old infants include ear infections, diarrhea, vomiting, common cold, and skin conditions like rashes or baby acne (8). Parents can identify these issues by observing changes in their baby’s behavior, appearance, or physical discomfort.
5. How can parents involve other family members in caring for a 3-month-old baby?
Parents can involve other family members in caring for a 3-month-old baby by delegating specific tasks and responsibilities. They can ask family members to help with feeding, burping, changing diapers, or putting the baby to sleep. By sharing these caregiving duties, parents can have some time for self-care or rest.
6. How can I safely introduce my baby to tummy time at this age?
To safely introduce your baby to tummy time at 1-3 months old, start with short sessions of a few minutes a few times a day. Place your baby on a firm surface like a clean carpet or hardwood floor. Always supervise them during tummy time and encourage them to lift their head. Gradually increase the duration as your baby gets more comfortable ( 9).
7. How can I help my baby cope with teething discomfort at this age?
Offer a clean teething ring made of plastic or rubber for your baby to chew on. The pressure can provide relief to their sore gums. You can also gently massage their gums with a clean finger to soothe them. Additionally, consider using a chilled, damp washcloth to provide a cooling effect for your baby’s gums (10).
8. What kind of clothing is appropriate for a 3-month-old baby, and how can I ensure that they are comfortable?
When dressing your three-month-old baby, it’s important to prioritize their comfort and safety. Choose clothing made from soft, breathable materials such as cotton. Make sure the clothing is not too tight or restrictive, allowing your baby to move their arms and legs freely. Avoid clothing with small buttons, bows, or other decorative elements that could pose a choking hazard.
9. What kind of toys or activities are appropriate for a 3-month-old baby?
At three months of age, babies are starting to become more aware of their surroundings and may enjoy simple toys that stimulate their senses. Look for toys with bright colors, contrasting patterns, and different textures. Soft toys, rattles, and toys with various sounds can capture their attention. Mobiles with interesting shapes and colors may also be engaging.
Your 3-month-old baby may be developing a personality now. You may now be familiar with their feeding and sleeping cues and schedules. You can begin singing songs to them as they are now more interested in interaction. Further, get them some teethers as they begin to explore the world with their mouth at this age. For 3-month-olds, exclusive breastfeeding is recommended as the healthiest way of nourishment. 3-month baby care also includes taking the necessary steps for their safety and well-being, such as using a car seat when you take the baby outdoors.
Infographic: How To Take Care Of A Three-Month-Old Baby
The rapid growth and development you see in your infant can amaze you. While there will be days of exhaustion, their giggling sounds and beautiful smile will take all your stress away. We present an infographic that shares tips on baby care, helping you ensure that your three-month-old gets all the required care and attention.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Illustration: 3 Months Baby Care - 5 Useful Tips That Help
Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team
Personal Experience: Source
MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.
ⅰ. Brady Jordan | 3 months.https://themasseyspot.blogspot.com/2017/06/brady-jordan-3-months.html
References
- Proper Storage and Preparation of Breast Milk.
https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/breast-milk-preparation-and-storage/handling-breastmilk.html - K Michelsson et al.; (1990); Crying feeding and sleeping patterns in 1 to 12-month-old infants.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2335018/ - Healthy Start Grow Smart.
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/ERIC-ED467077/pdf/ERIC-ED467077.pdf - Your baby’s growth and development – 3 months old
https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/babys-growth-and-development-3-months-old#:~:text=By%203%20months%2C%20your%20babyinto%20their%20own%20little%20person. - Learning, Play, and Your 1- to 3-Month-Old.
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/learn13m.html#:~:text=Gently%20clap%20your%20baby’s%20hands,for%20your%20baby%20to%20imitate - Fussy Babies.
https://www.mottchildren.org/posts/your-child/fussy-babies - The First 12 Months: What & When to Feed Your Baby
https://health.ucdavis.edu/media-resources/children/documents/general/First%2012%20Months_rev.pdf - Common Infant and Newborn Problems
https://medlineplus.gov/commoninfantandnewbornproblems.html - Benefits of ‘Tummy Time’ and How To Do It Safely
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/3-benefits-of-tummy-time-for-newborns-how-to-do-it-safely/ - Baby Teething Pain
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/teething-tooth-care/Pages/Teething-Pain.aspx
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