What to Expect in the First 3 Months

Moving

What your baby will do: His fingers will uncurl and he'll start to stare in fascination at his hands. His neck muscles will strengthen and he'll gradually become able to hold his head steady. By three months, he may be able to raise his head up when lying on his tummy, and he'll certainly be waving his arms and legs about with (random) abandon.

What you can do: Tickle, nuzzle and kiss his hands, tummy and feet to increase his body awareness and keep him feeling safe (his vision's still quite restricted).

Talking

What your baby will do: she's tuned in to your voice from birth: she'll go still when you speak and will soon start making fish-like mouthing movements in response. Within weeks, she'll start making sounds and by three months, she'll be treating you to all manner of gurgles, coos and squeals.

What you can do: talk to her in a slow, sing-song voice. You may feel silly at first, but talking to your baby like this helps her to break your speech down into individual words and sounds. Make eye contact as you speak, and smile enthusiastically at her attempts to respond.

Thinking

What your baby will do: he may not understand much about the world around him but he'll be learning all the time. By four weeks, he may look around when he hears a noise and, by six weeks, he'll have figured out how to give you an adorably toothless smile. By three months, he'll be reacting with excitement to familiar events, such as feedtime or bathtime.

What you can do: hang a mobile over his cot for him to gaze at. Strap him into a bouncy chair so he can watch what's going on around him. Don't leave him on his own though.

Behaving

What your baby will do: she'll love being held and cuddled close. She may seem very quiet and content in her first few weeks or she may have patches when she cries her heart out, particularly in the early evening. By three months, though, the worst of the howling should be over.

What you can do: Become a master of jiggling, cradling, swaying and rocking. Try swaddling an unsettled newborn or carrying her in a sling. Remember, it's not your fault - or your baby's - if she cries a lot: that's just how some babies are.

Please remember

Babies grow and develop at different rates. Don't place too much importance on when your child reaches certain milestones or whether he reaches them before or after other children his age. How he develops has more to do with his genes than his intelligence.

If your baby does seem to be lagging very significantly behind his peers, however, do seek advice your GP or health visitor.