Three exciting months

It doesn’t always feel like it, but your new baby develops fast. Be on the lookout for these milestones during the first three months, writes Nia Visagie

YOU MIGHT GET a fright the first day you lay eyes on your new baby, who looks so strange and different from the babies in the shampoo adverts. But don’t make the mistake of thinking there’s not a lot happening in that little head, and we’re not even talking about the body yet. We have a look at some of the best-known milestones on the physical, intellectual and emotional front and also share some tips.

WEEK ONE

At the end of baby’s first day in the world, she’ll recognise your smell. She’s born with senses that already work well (save for sight, which is quite weak at the beginning), and her brain will immediately start learning to process everything that feeds her senses.

A few days later she recognises her favourite people by their voices, and although her sight is still limited, by the end of the first week she recognises the faces of her favourite people too.

WEEK TWO

Your baby can feel your mood, even if she doesn’t understand words. Just like she’s busy getting to know you, you have to get to know her too. You’ll know that she has positive and negative reactions, and her needs are actually still quite simple. Remember that she’s totally dependent on you, so immediately respond when she’s crying, and nurture her lovingly.

Nurse on demand – it’s also your bonding time.

WEEK THREE

The way your baby moves is different than that of an older baby. The strange movements you would have spotted by now happen involuntarily – they’re reflexes. They gradually become weaker. There are quite a few of these reflexes, but the most well-known are: • The Moro reflex • The sucking reflex • The grasp reflex – everyone’s favourite, because that’s when she holds your finger so tightly.

Read more about these reflexes on page 43.

WEEK FOUR

If you place baby on her tummy, she might be able to lift her little head for a bit. This is an important milestone!

Remember that a strong neck and shoulders are the foundation for many of her future milestones.

WEEK FIVE

Your baby is very interested in facial expressions. Remember that she can’t see that well yet – so hold her about 30cm from your face when you “chat”. She’ll stick out her tongue and move her lips as if she wants to talk back.

WEEK SIX

She’s now properly found her voice, and literally cries like a baby. If you’re well attuned, you’ll be able to figure that she uses a variety of sounds for hunger, fatigue, pain… Crying is how she communicates with you.

WEEK SEVEN

Your baby works hard to gain control over her muscles. Especially her neck and back muscles are becoming stronger and stronger, and she’ll be able to keep her head up for short bursts. Your baby’s sight is also busy improving, and she can start following movement with her eyes. Most of her reflexes disappear as she takes control of her own body.

WEEK EIGHT

Where’s the camera? You’re getting a real smile from your little nunu. Plus, she starts making the cutest sounds in her throat and reacts to your sounds.

WEEK NINE

If you’ve regularly been doing tummy time, your baby will now be able to lift her head to about 45˚ for 10 seconds.

When she’s upright, she can hold her head up and even turn it in the direction of a sound that interests her.

She also becomes aware of her own hands and find them fascinating.

The fontanels on her head – those soft spots in her skull – start closing up.

WEEK 10

Your baby actively reacts to others (even to the dog!) and starts showing personality. She’ll be able to express her preferences and moods with her face, body and mood.

Your baby is aware of objects and will try hard to reach for them or kick them.

WEEK 11

Your baby makes talking sounds, or gurgles, shouts and babbles. She’ll also start listening more carefully. Better control over her hands means everything goes to the mouth to be explored further.

WEEK 12

Head control in a lying position is much better already. Your baby will also be able to hold a rattle now if you place it in her hands.

Your baby can be awake and happy for longer periods without becoming entirely overstimulated. YB

HER NECK AND BACK MUSCLES ARE BECOMING STRONGER AND STRONGER, AND SHE’LL BE ABLE TO KEEP HER HEAD UP FOR SHORT BURSTS