Month 3

Physical Developments:

- the baby now weighs 10 ½ pounds and is 22 inches long

- the baby's body tone and musculature is improving; he can now hold on to objects for a few moments

- the baby may also sleep through the entire night at this point

Mental Developments:

- the baby will likely begin to suckle at the sight of the mother's breast or a bottle and will anticipate feeding

Senses and Reflex Development:

- the baby's walking reflexes disappear at this stage

- the baby is able to move his eyes in a circular pattern when following objects

Social Development:

- the baby will now begin to smile more readily and for no reason

- the baby may also laugh and giggle more, and may enjoy events such as taking baths

Week 10

Physical Developments:

- the baby now weighs 11 pounds and is 22 ½ inches long

- When lifted up, the baby now has the muscle strength to compact his body, bringing up his legs to his body

- the baby is able to hold his head and chest up when laying on his stomach

Mental Developments:

- the baby will stop sucking his thumb, bottle, breast in order to listen to some one speak or other noises

- the baby will also begin to discover his own face, eyes, mouth and head with his hands and will stare at himself in the mirror

Senses and Reflex Development:

- the baby's head will now move with his eyes when following an object

- the baby's grasping reflex will likely have disappeared now

Social Development:

- the baby's crying decreases at this stage

- the baby coos, gurgles, and makes throaty noises in response to people's actions, voices, and other noises

Week 11

Physical Developments:

- the baby is now 11 ½ pounds and is 22 ¾ inches in length

- the baby is now capable of supporting himself on his elbows while lying on his stomach

Mental Developments:

- the baby's memory will begin to show great development

Senses and Reflex Development:

- the baby can now hold on to an object without dropping it, and can also shake it

- the baby can also turn his head and body in order to find a source of sound

Social Development:

- the mother and her partner will begin to notice that the baby reacts differently to the presence each of his parents

Week 12

Physical Developments:

- the baby now weighs nearly 12 pounds and is 23 ¼ inches long

- the baby's vocalization increases and the range and frequency of sounds he makes become greater

- the baby's facial expressions become more frequent

- the baby in now able to hold his head at 90 degrees when he is laying on his stomach

Mental Developments:

- the baby is able to distinguish voices from other sounds

Senses and Reflex Development:

- the baby may begin to chew on (or 'gum') objects

- the baby's fascination with his own hands will continue and he may stare at and focus on his hands for minutes on end

Social Development:

- the baby will begin to further develop his ability to differentiate between family members, and between family and strangers

You will truly begin to see the baby make great developmental strides during and after this month. His muscle strength increases greatly and his recognition of people and sounds grows. He will smile when he sees familiar people and will play with them. If someone attempts to pry a toy from the baby's hands he will resist and pull back. The baby will look at a person who is speaking to him and will make noises in response. The baby should be sleeping regularly at this point and should require less sleep as well. If the baby has been suffering from colic, it should have or should begin to disappear at this age. His vision is developed to the point that he is able to distinguish between shapes and forms. The baby is also now a more socially aware being, and is able to engage the attention of people around him. This is the stage at which the baby will begin to become his own person. The baby will become much more vocal and will react to familiar objects, toys and people vocally. The baby can keep his head up when he is placed in a sitting position.

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