At three months of age, your baby is gradually getting into the rhythm of life. Although there are individual differences, it may be time for the day-and-night feedings and diaper changes to settle down. You will probably be able to soothe your baby’s smile more often when you feed him or her.
However, no matter how much he calms down, there is no end to the worries that come with it. Here, we will explain the growth of a 3-month-old baby and some points to keep in mind when living with him or her.
Developmental characteristics of a 3-month-old baby
The term “head holding up” refers to the state in which the baby is able to hold the head in a fixed position and lift the head without the support of others. The neck of a newborn baby is squishy. If the baby is not carried with support, his or her neck will fall forward or backward. The baby’s head holds up when the muscles that support the head, such as the neck, back, and shoulders, are strong enough to support it.
Holding up the head is also essential for the baby to learn to turn over and sit up. Therefore, the first point in the development of motor function is around 3 months of age, when the baby’s head begins to hold up.
The baby’s head can be raised while lying on his or her back, which opens up a wider world for the baby’s eyes to see. Also, the baby can be held vertically, which is much easier for mothers and fathers compared to the time when they had to carry the baby with great care, wrapping him or her in both arms. However, since the baby’s head is still not fully held up at this time, it is necessary to support the baby’s head firmly when lifting it up.
Breastfeeding intervals for a 3-month-old baby
Around the age of three months, the baby’s digestive tract and satiety center will have developed to some extent. Therefore, when hungry, the baby will be able to drink a lot of breast milk or formula at once, and the interval between feedings will gradually become longer.
You may feel anxious when the number of feedings decreases, but babies around 3 months of age are able to sense the sensation of “hungry/full” very well. Consider that the reason they do not want breast milk or formula is that they have enough.
Also, some babies feed less during this period, but it is usually only because they are drinking more at a time and breastfeeding less frequently. Unless there are signs such as “no weight gain,” “drinking for a long time,” or “bad mood,” you can rest assured that “decreased frequency of feeding does not mean lack of breast milk or formula”.
The rhythm of life of a 3-month-old baby
Newborn babies do not distinguish between day and night and sleep and wake in cycles of one to four hours.
However, around the age of three months, the baby’s internal clock gradually develops and the baby begins to distinguish between day and night. As a result, more babies sleep collectively at night or naturally become sleepy at night. On the other hand, the time when the distinction between day and night begins to be made varies from person to person, so some babies may have a daily rhythm that is almost the same as during the newborn period.
If the rhythm of life is disturbed during this period, it is not uncommon for babies to start living day and night in reverse. The reversal of day and night is due to a disruption of the body clock. In order to give your baby a regular life, open the curtains in the morning to let him or her get some sunlight and put him or her to bed at a fixed time every day. When putting them to bed, make sure the environment is as dark, quiet, and calm as possible.
Conclusion
You will see your baby’s growth change dramatically but you will get used to it and it will be fine. For that, have the right information and knowledge and don’t worry too much.
