Three months old is the age at which your baby
transforms from an adorable but somewhat passive companion to a true playmate.
Around 3 months old, she should start to babble, laugh and hit you with real
smiles that aren't just caused by gas. Playing with your baby is easy because
she'll be readily amused by little things and won't be bothered by repetitive
play. Expensive baby toys may delight her in coming months, but for now, all
she needs to be entertained is you.
Crying
CYH.com, a website dedicated to child and youth health, reports that crying is how babies 0 to 3 months old communicate all their needs: Hungry? Sleepy? Wet? Soiled? Lonely? Scared? To every question, the answer is tears. Babies can feel overwhelmed because of the new sounds, sights, smells and sensations outside of the womb; crying is also their way of expressing their frustration.
Parents must be careful to remain as calm and peaceful as possible because babies are extremely sensitive and mistake other people's emotions for their own. A newborn being cared for by a sleep-deprived, frustrated mommy will cry because of its mother's feelings.
As parents grow more accustomed to the habits and sounds of their baby, they will begin to notice changes in the tone, pitches and lengths of its cries. Eventually parents should be able to discern different needs based on their child's varying sounds.
Senses
Newborn babies are able to hear, smell and feel, but they cannot see very well unless objects are very close to them. During their first month, babies stare at faces but are typically uninterested in other objects. According to BabyCenter.com, some 1-month-old babies can see black-and-white patterns. At 2 months old, most babies can follow objects within their field of vision; by 3 months old they can turn their head to watch moving objects, as well as turn their head toward loud sounds or their parent's voice.
Movement
BabyCenter.com reports that by 1 month old, most newborn babies have enough neck strength to lift their head briefly when lying on their stomach. Some can even hold their heads at a 45-degree angle. At 2 months old they are able to hold their head up for longer periods of time; some are able to do a mini-push-up and lift their head and shoulders.
By 3 months old, most babies can hold their head up steadily. They can support their weight on their legs if you support their torso, and some babies can roll over from their stomach to their back. Lying on their back, babies between 2 and 3 months can kick their legs and wave them around; some babies at this age can bring their hands together.
Social and Mental Development
Newborn babies don't cry all the time. When they are content, 1-month-old babies make ooh and ahh sounds; by the second month they may have the ability to smile and laugh. By 3 months old, some babies can squeal, coo, gurgle and blow bubbles. According to How-Kids-Develop.com, when babies are smiling, it's their invitation to play.
Sleeping Habits
Newborn babies sleep often. Sleep schedules vary depending on the child; some 0-to-3-month-old babies sleep four hours and then awaken for one; others stay awake for three hours and sleep for 45 minutes. According to CYH.com, babies 0 to 3 months do not typically sleep through the night; their tummies aren't large enough to provide them with enough food to sleep comfortably for eight hours, and they awaken frequently due to hunger.
Eating Habits
Eating habits vary from child to child, but most newborns 0 to 3 months old eat every two to four hours. How-Kids-Develop.com reports that by 3 months old, babies are not yet ready for solid food; their diet should consist solely of breast milk or iron-fortified formula.