Your Baby's First Three Months
What to expect in the earliest days of development
Month 1: The Newborn Stage
In the first month, your baby is adjusting to life outside the womb. They sleep 14 to 18 hours a day in short stretches of 2 to 4 hours. They can see faces and objects about 8 to 12 inches away, which is the distance to your face while feeding. They prefer high-contrast patterns and human voices. They startle at loud noises. They can lift their head briefly during tummy time. Your job right now is to respond to their cues consistently. You cannot spoil a newborn.
Month 2: The First Smile
The second month brings one of the most rewarding moments of early parenting: the first real social smile. Your baby will start cooing, making vowel sounds, and turning toward familiar voices. They will follow moving objects with their eyes and may start swatting at dangling toys. Tummy time should continue daily. Sleep stretches may start to lengthen slightly, but 2 to 3 night wakings are still normal. Your baby is beginning to understand that they are separate from you, which is why they may seem more aware when you leave the room.
Month 3: Discovering the World
By three months, many babies can hold their head up more steadily during tummy time, bring their hands to their mouth, and open and close their hands. They will reach for and swat at dangling toys. They recognize familiar faces and may show excitement when they see you. Babbling increases and becomes more conversational. Your baby may start sleeping for longer stretches at night, sometimes 5 hours at a time. They may also begin to show a preference for familiar people over strangers.
What You Can Do to Support Development
The best things you can do for your baby's development are simple and free. Talk to your baby throughout the day; describe what you are doing and narrate your activities. Make eye contact and smile during feeds and diaper changes. Provide tummy time 2 to 3 times per day for short periods. Respond to cries consistently, this builds trust and the foundation for secure attachment. Read to your baby from birth; board books with high-contrast images are ideal. And limit screen time to zero. Babies need interaction with real people, not screens.
When to Talk to Your Pediatrician
Talk to your provider if your baby does not respond to sound or track moving objects with their eyes by 2 months, does not smile by 3 months, or has difficulty feeding or gaining weight. Trust your instinct. If something feels off, mention it.