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3 Month Old Baby: Milestones, Sleep and Feeding

Your 3 month old baby: stronger head control, giggles, discovering hands, feeding, sleep patterns and play ideas.

Before you use this guide: Every baby grows and develops at their own pace, and healthy babies vary a lot. Weights are WHO medians at the start of the month, not targets. If your baby was born early, use their corrected age. This is general information, not an individual medical assessment.

How your baby is developing

By three months, many parents notice that their baby is more alert, more expressive and less fragile. The newborn startle reflex is fading, and babies start to bat at objects, stare at their hands and bring them to their mouth.

Head control improves quickly. Many babies can push up on their forearms on their tummy and look around. Smiles become bigger, and you may hear the first giggles. Your baby may also start to enjoy voices, songs and watching you.

Milestones to look for

These are skills that many babies show around this age. Some will come earlier and some later, and missing one is not usually a cause for worry.

• Holds their head steadier when you hold them upright
• Pushes up on forearms during tummy time
• Brings both hands to their mouth, and looks at their hands with interest
• Smiles at people, and may giggle or chuckle
• Makes cooing sounds and begins to copy sounds
• Follows moving objects with their eyes, side to side
• Swipes at hanging toys

Feeding

• Milk is still the only food your baby needs. Solid food is not recommended before about four months, and most health services advise waiting until around six months.
• Feeds are often quicker and more organised. A baby who seems to feed less often is not necessarily getting less. Look at their weight gain and nappies.
• Another growth spurt at around three months is common and can lead to a few days of constant feeding.
• Some babies become distracted during feeds. A quiet room and calm feeding can help.

Sleep

• A pattern may start to appear, with a longer night stretch for some babies. Others still wake often, and that is normal.
• Bedtime routines help. Try a bath, a feed and a story at about the same time each evening.
• Wake windows are still short, about one to two hours, so watch for yawning, rubbing eyes and looking away.
• The four-month sleep regression is on the horizon, a time when sleep can change for a few weeks.

See our wake windows by age guide and the rules in our safe sleep guide.

Play and learning

• Hang a soft toy or a mobile within reach for your baby to bat at.
• Play peekaboo with your hands.
• Sing nursery rhymes with actions.
• Place your baby on a play mat for tummy time with toys and a mirror.
• Let your baby explore different safe textures, like soft cloth and a rattle.

Keeping your baby safe

• Babies can start to roll, so never leave them unattended on a raised surface.
• Keep small objects, cords and blind strings well out of reach.
• Do not use a baby walker, and avoid propping your baby on pillows.
• Keep following safe sleep guidance for naps and nights.

Looking after yourself

Many parents find the third month a turning point, with more smiles and a little more predictability. Others find it just as tiring. Both are normal.

If you are planning to return to work, now is a good time to start looking at childcare options and your leave rights.

When to ask for help

Talk to your health visitor or doctor if your baby is not smiling or does not respond to your voice, does not seem to follow objects, has very stiff or floppy limbs, or is not feeding or gaining weight. A temperature of 38 °C or above under three months needs urgent advice, and at three months or older call a doctor if a high temperature comes with other worrying signs.

Trust your instincts. If you are worried about your baby at any age, contact your doctor, health visitor or local emergency number.

This content is for general information only and is not medical advice. Every pregnancy and every baby is different. Always talk to your doctor, midwife or paediatrician about your own situation, and seek urgent care if you are worried.