Key takeaways: Three-month-olds are building on 2-month skills (smiling at you, cooing, holding the head up on the tummy) and working toward 4-month skills like chuckling, swinging at toys, bringing hands to mouth, and pushing up on elbows. Every baby develops at their own pace. The CDC’s checklists are at 2 and 4 months.
Three months is a fun age. Your baby is more alert, social, and interactive.
Skills Many Babies Have by 2 Months (CDC)
- Calms when spoken to or picked up.
- Looks at your face.
- Smiles when you talk or smile.
- Makes sounds other than crying.
- Holds head up when on tummy.
- Moves both arms and both legs.
Skills Many Babies Are Working Toward by 4 Months (CDC)
- Smiles on their own to get your attention.
- Chuckles when you try to make them laugh.
- Coos and makes sounds back when you talk.
- Turns head toward your voice.
- Holds head steady without support when held.
- Holds a toy placed in their hand.
- Swings at toys.
- Brings hands to mouth.
- Pushes up onto elbows or forearms during tummy time.
From the author
From First Breath to First Birthday is my month-by-month guide to your baby’s first year, written as a NICU and postpartum nurse. My book follows your baby’s growth and development month by month, from the first hours after birth to the first birthday.
Play Ideas
- Face-to-face talking, pausing so your baby can “answer.”
- Tummy time with a toy or mirror at eye level.
- Rattles and soft toys to grasp.
- Reading picture books with bold images.
- Singing songs with motions.
Feeding and Sleep
- Many babies feed less often than in the newborn weeks, but patterns vary widely.
- Some babies sleep longer stretches; many still wake at night.
Safety Reminders
- Babies can roll unexpectedly. Never leave your baby alone on a raised surface.
- Stop swaddling when your baby shows signs of trying to roll.
- Keep small objects out of reach as hands get busier.
Talk to your baby’s doctor if: your baby isn’t showing the skills on the CDC checklist for their age, loses skills they once had, or you have any concerns. You don’t need to wait for a checkup; trust your instincts.
The Bottom Line
At 3 months, babies are becoming more social and in control of their bodies. Play, talk, and enjoy the smiles.
Want more support for your baby’s first year? My book, From First Breath to First Birthday, is available on Amazon.
Related Articles
- Your Baby at 5 Months
- Your Baby’s 4- and 6-Month Milestones
- Your Baby’s 2-Month Milestones (and When to Talk to the Doctor)
- Your Baby at 8 Months
Sources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Important milestones: your baby by 2 months; by 4 months. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly
- Zubler JM, Wiggins LD, Macias MM, et al. Evidence-informed milestones for developmental surveillance tools. Pediatrics. 2022;149(3):e2021052138.
- American Academy of Pediatrics. Developmental milestones: 3 months. HealthyChildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Always talk with your baby’s health care provider or your own provider about your specific situation. If you think your baby or you may have a medical emergency, call 911.
