Development 0 - 3 Months

Child Development 0 - 3 Months

Each child develops their own pace, usually through the same stages or milestones in about the same order. Children grow and learn continually, but not in smooth flowing pattern. Sometimes they practice skills for quite a while and seem as if they will never move on. Other times they learn many skills very quickly.

Understanding your child’s developing abilities and
what they can and cannot do at each age will help you
to:
   • Keep your child safe;
   • Help your child develop;
   • Understand your child’s behaviour;
   • Gain satisfaction and enjoyment from the important role of caring for your child.

Growth and development

Babies do not all grow at the same rate. Some will grow faster than others. What is important is that your baby is contented and progressing satisfactorily.

All babies are intelligent and able to learn from birth. They can hear, see, feel, taste and smell. Using these senses they begin to learn about their world and the people in it.

When a baby is handled by someone other than their mother or caregiver, they learn about different people (e.g.male voice, beards, confident handling, firm muscles). Babies are completely dependent on adults to care for them. Through experience they learn whether these adults can be trusted to meet their needs.

Baby’s movements

Up to three months of age, most of your baby’s movements are uncontrolled, Babies do have reflex movements which they use for survival. Some of these are sucking, sneezing, and swallowing. Some reflex movements disappear after a short time (e.g. throwing arms out, stiffening and crying when they hear a loud
noise).

At one month

Most babies:
   • Turn their head and eyes towards light;
   • Watch faces while being fed or talked to;
   • May smile to show pleasure.

‘Cradling’ distance is the best learning situation for small babies — close enough to see, hear and feel.

Between one and three months

Most babies:
   • Become stronger;
   • Lift their head and upper chest and may start using their arms for support;
   • Show an increasing awareness of people;
   • Smile and coo to show pleasure;
   • Use joyful movements when expecting an enjoyable event (e.g. bath, feed time).

To help your baby develop skills for later learning (e.g. crawling), your baby should have some time on their tummy or rug, either on the floor or a hard surface, when they are awake and you are playing with them.

Your baby and other people

Language

Babies develop skills for speech and language by listening to the sounds around them. They also practice making noises. So that you can help your baby to develop their speech and language skills, you should take every opportunity to talk or sing to your baby.

The crying baby
Crying is the only means of communication for young babies. They always cry for a reason.

The crying may be due to:
   • Hunger, pain, being wet, hot or cold;
   • The need for a cuddle; Loneliness or fear;
   • A need to suck (this is comforting to a baby);
   • Parent’s anxieties ( which they quickly sense).

If your baby’s cries are responded to consistently, the will learn that they are loved and wanted, and so build a sense of trust and attachment.

Playing and learning

Babies will get some play value out of every pleasant thing you do with them, from talking to your baby, changing a nappy, bathing, feeding or just being close.

For babies, play is for learning and practicing skills, as well as exploring and finding out about their world and the people in it.

During the first three months

babies will learn:
• To smile, chuckle and coo;
• To run towards sound; that they have hands to reach out and touch things

Favourite playthings
At this age babies will enjoy:
   • Parents
   • To feel, look at, listen to, taste and small;
   • Colourful mobiles, leaves or curtains blowing in the breeze;
   • A variety of sounds to listen to;
   • Pram rattles or objects dangled on strings to encourage coordination of hands and eyes.

Safety

Babies’ early movements are uncontrolled. To help keep your baby safe:

   • Never leave your baby alone on tables, beds, or other high furniture.
   • Never ‘prop’ the bottle, (if your baby uses one) whether you are there or not. Milk may be vomited and/or inhaled.
   • Always place your child in an approved child restraint in the car.
   • Remove bibs at sleep time to prevent suffocation.
   • Use thick, heavy duty plastic sheeting in bassinet's, cots and prams. Dispose of plastic with care.
   • Remove any loose ribbons or trimmings on clothing and blankets.
   • Use flat firm mattresses and no pillows.
   • Protect your baby from the sun and heat.
   • Take special care if your baby uses a dummy. Check that:
      — it has no ribbons or chains
      — it is in good condition with no loose parts;
      — there are holes in the flange which fits around the baby’s mouth. (If the dummy does sup into the mouth, your baby will be able to breathe.);
     — there is a ring attached for quick easy removal from your baby’s mouth in an emergency.
   • Check inside mittens and bootees to be sure there are no loops of thread or wool which can wind around your baby’s fingers and toes and cut off blood circulation.

For more help and information
If you would like more information on your child’s development or you are worried about your child, contact your local child health nurse.
You could also ask at your local library for books on child development.