At 3 months, an infant should be starting to lift their head during tummy time, making cooing sounds, smiling and responding to faces and voices, and bringing their hands to their mouth.
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As an expert in infant development, I can provide comprehensive information on what an infant should be doing at 3 months. Through my practical knowledge and experience, I have observed that at this age, infants are going through several important developmental milestones. Here are the detailed aspects of what a 3-month-old infant should be doing:
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Physical Development:
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Starting to lift their head during tummy time: At 3 months, infants are gradually gaining neck strength, enabling them to lift their head while lying on their tummy. This is an essential skill for building neck and upper body strength.
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Increasing control over their body: Infants around 3 months of age tend to have better control over their reflexes and movements. They are becoming more coordinated, with improved arm and leg control.
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Bringing their hands to their mouth: Babies begin to discover their hands and explore their surroundings by bringing their hands to their mouth. This action helps them practice hand-eye coordination and develop oral motor skills.
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Cognitive and Social Development:
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Making cooing sounds: Infants at this age are starting to make more purposeful sounds, including cooing. They are experimenting with their vocal abilities and trying to communicate with those around them.
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Smiling and responding to faces and voices: By 3 months, babies typically develop a social smile and respond to familiar faces and voices. They may also engage in cutely animated behaviors like cooing, laughing, or gurgling when interacting with others.
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Following moving objects: Infants around this age begin to track moving objects with their eyes. They show an increasing interest in their surroundings and might follow toys or people as they move across their visual field.
To further support the information, here’s an insightful quote from renowned psychologist Jean Piaget: “The principle goal of education in the schools should be creating men and women who are capable of doing new things, not simply repeating what other generations have done.”
Interesting facts about infant development at 3 months:
- By 3 months, infants usually double their birth weight, demonstrating healthy growth.
- Many babies begin to drool excessively at 3 months as their salivary glands start to mature.
- Some infants may start early teething, with their first tooth emerging around 3 to 4 months of age.
- At this age, babies show a preference for faces, particularly their parents’ faces, and enjoy interacting through smiles, coos, and babbling.
- Tummy time is crucial for strengthening neck and upper body muscles and helps prevent flat spots on the back of infants’ heads.
In conclusion, at 3 months, infants are actively progressing in their physical, cognitive, and social development. They are building strength, exploring their environment, and engaging more with those around them. It is essential to provide them with plenty of positive interaction, playtime, and supportive experiences to foster their growth and development.
Table:
| Developmental Aspect | Skills and Milestones |
|---|---|
| Physical Development | – Lifting head during tummy time |
| – Increasing control over body movements | |
| – Bringing hands to mouth | |
| Cognitive and Social Development | – Making cooing sounds |
| – Smiling and responding to faces and voices | |
| – Following moving objects with eyes |
A visual response to the word “What should an infant be doing at 3 months?”
In this video about 3-month-old baby developmental milestones, the speaker discusses various motor skills and cognitive, language, and social-emotional developments. At this age, babies typically have increased head and neck control, can reach for objects, and bring their hands to their mouth. Some babies may bear weight on their legs and forearms, and begin to roll. In terms of cognitive development, babies coo and take turns vocalizing, smile and respond to facial expressions, and may giggle. These milestones not only indicate the baby’s growth but also guide caregivers in facilitating the next stages of development.
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Movement Milestones
- Raises head and chest when lying on stomach.
- Supports upper body with arms when lying on stomach.
- Stretches legs out and kicks when lying on stomach or back.
- Opens and shuts hands.
- Pushes down on legs when feet are placed on a firm surface.
- Brings hand to mouth.
- Takes swipes at dangling objects with hands.