Your 3-Month-Old Baby’s Development and Milestones
By 3 months old, your baby is beginning to show exciting signs of growth and development. At this stage, many parents wonder what milestones are typical and how to support their baby's progress. Common 3-month-old milestones include improved head control, social smiling, and increased alertness. Babies may also begin to:
Track moving objects with their eyes
Bring hands to mouth and explore with fingers
Coo, gurgle, and respond to familiar voices
Push up slightly during tummy time
Show interest in faces and bright colors.
These early achievements lay the foundation for future motor, cognitive, and emotional development. While every baby develops at their own pace, knowing what to expect can help you support your child’s growth and identify any potential concerns early. In the sections below, we’ll explore each milestone in more detail and provide tips on how to encourage your baby’s development at 3 months old.
Baby Development Milestones
There’s a lot happening this month as your baby grows and becomes more aware of their physical self and the world around them. Take a look at our visual below for a quick overview of the development milestones of a 3-month-old, and keep reading for more detailed insight into each milestone.
You can also download our Monthiversary Printables to celebrate your baby’s milestones each month. We have 4 adorable themes to choose from.
Physical Development: Average Weight and Height of a 3-Month-Old
Thanks to developing bones and muscles, your baby is now able to stretch out their body, showing you just how long they are. On average, they’re probably growing about 1 to 1 1/2 inches per month and gaining about 1 1/2 to 2 pounds. Keep in mind that every baby is unique, and your baby’s growth spurts at 3 months may differ from these estimations.
Wondering how much a 3-month-old should weigh? As we mentioned above, every baby is unique, and it can vary from infant to infant. For an idea of the average weight and height of a 3-month-old, you can use a baby growth chart to keep an eye on your little one’s progress. Our dedicated article and Baby Growth Chart Calculator below will show you how to read a baby growth chart and understand the results.
If you have any concerns or questions about your baby’s height and weight, discuss them with your healthcare provider. During your little one’s regular checkups, your healthcare provider will track their measurements using growth charts and check that their growth is progressing steadily.
Baby Growth Chart Calculator
Keep an eye on your baby’s average growth by tracking height, weight, and head circumference with our simple tool.
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*Input details of your baby’s last measurements. **Source: World Health Organization
Movement: Gross and Fine Motor Skills at 3-Month-Old
Your 3-month-old baby is gaining more control over their body and movements. While many of their actions were once involuntary reflexes, they’re now becoming more purposeful. You may notice your baby starting to move their head, hands, and feet with more intent.
One exciting physical milestone you might notice when your baby is around 3 months old is the ability to hold their head up independently, thanks to increasing neck strength. Your baby may begin to look around more during tummy time or when held upright, tracking people or objects in their field of vision. Their hand-eye coordination is also improving, and you might see them starting to reach toward nearby toys or follow movements with their eyes.
Have you tried gently supporting your baby under their arms while placing their feet on the floor? You might see them flex and straighten their legs—great early practice for standing! Many babies enjoy bouncing in this position and may show off this new trick with enthusiasm.
To encourage their physical development, offer regular tummy time, hand them toys, or let them bat at objects hanging from an infant gym or playpen. These simple play activities support your 3-month-old’s motor skills, coordination, and strength.
It’s not just the legs getting stronger—your baby can now open and close their hands more easily and may start grasping toys, your fingers, or even their clothes. With improved arm control, they may reach out to touch things or bat at interesting objects. Around this age, babies also become quite skilled at bringing their hands to their mouth, so keep an eye on what’s within reach!
Cognitive Development: Eyesight, Sounds, and Communication
There’s a lot to discover, and your 3-month-old is learning to take it all in, bit by bit. Their vision and eyesight are steadily improving at 3 months old, and they’re becoming more aware of the world around them. You might be wondering, “How Far Can a 3-Month-Old See?” At this stage, babies can see objects and faces from several feet away and are starting to focus more clearly on patterns, circular shapes, and spirals. Most of all, they love looking at faces—especially yours.
Cognitive development isn’t just about what your baby sees, but also how they process and respond to it. As they begin to make sense of their surroundings, they’re more curious and engaged with people, sounds, and movement.
When it comes to hearing and speech, your baby likely now associates your voice with comfort and connection. They’re starting to notice your tone, rhythm, and the emphasis you place on certain words. You may even hear them trying to mimic some of the sounds you make.
Your little one is also learning that communication is a two-way experience. Watch how they light up when you respond to their coos and babbles, or how delighted they are when you sing, talk, or read to them. These early interactions lay the foundation for language and social skills.
Behavioral Changes: Your Baby’s First “Conversations”
Watching a baby’s personality emerge is one of the many joys of parenthood. Have you noticed your baby is smiling more and responding to your voice? That’s great! It’s likely that they really enjoy playtime with you and other people, and they’re now able to express their enjoyment with their face and whole body. They may even start to imitate some of your movements and facial expressions. If this isn’t happening yet, or if you’re wondering what a 3-month-old baby “should” be doing, remind yourself that all babies develop in their own way and on their own timeline.
Your little one may be starting to have “conversations” with you through sounds, smiles, and gestures. These exchanges not only foster trust and boost self-esteem but also spark curiosity about siblings and other children.
Babies communicate their needs in various ways, and you'll learn their unique cues over time. You'll be able to distinguish between different cries—hunger, pain, or fussiness—and find out what calms them, whether it's a change of activity or a favorite toy.
Activities and Development Tips for Your 3-Month-Old Baby
Your baby’s healthcare provider will share a variety of activities and things to do with your 3-month-old to help foster their development. Many of these suggested activities will encourage movement and help your baby master the skills they will need to roll over, sit, and hold their head up, whereas others will promote cognitive and sensory development.
Try the following strategies and activities to help support the development milestones of a 3-month-old baby:
Practice tummy time. Tummy time at 3 months old—or at any age during your baby’s development—helps strengthen their neck, shoulders, arms, and core muscles, which are essential for milestones like rolling over and sitting up. At this age, your baby may enjoy tummy time more and can typically lift their head and even push up on their arms. Wondering how long a 3-month-old should do tummy time for? Aim for about 20 to 30 minutes total per day, broken into short, supervised sessions throughout the day, increasing the time period as they get older. Making 3-month-old tummy time fun with toys or face-to-face play can keep your baby engaged and happy.
Promote hand-eye coordination. Wondering how to entertain your 3-month-old while also promoting their development? It’s so simple! Encourage your baby to grasp for small objects like toys, rattles, or your fingers. They’ll need this skill as they learn to bring their hands to their mouth successfully.
Aid visual development. Your baby’s distance vision, color vision, and tracking skills are all improving during this month. Help them along by introducing stimulating colors, patterns, and textures for them to enjoy in the form of sensory toys, rattles, simple picture books with different colors and patterns, colorful mobiles, play mats, and other activities.
Read to your baby every day. Reading at this early stage not only boosts your baby’s language development but can help establish a lifelong love for reading and learning. Reading as part of a bedtime routine can also help calm and comfort your little one.
Talk to your baby throughout the day. Say your baby's name and use simple phrases to narrate what you’re doing when you're together, such as feeding, diapering, and bathing them. Respond to your baby when they make faces or gestures to encourage their attempts at "conversation." If you or your partner speak a foreign language, feel free to start using it with your baby. Also consider singing to your baby!
Pay attention to your baby’s cues. Respond to your baby when they let you know that they're hungry, happy, upset, or tired. Your loving attention won’t spoil them.
Provide close physical contact. As well as fun activities to do with your 3-month-old, simply hugging or cuddling your baby often can help increase their sense of safety and security. Make sure everyone in the household, as well as other caregivers outside of the home, provides similar loving care to your baby.
What “Should” Your 3-Month-Old Be Doing?
Life with your 3-month-old baby can be full of surprises. Even if following a set routine is a ways off at this point, you could glance at this guideline for feeding, sleeping, bathing, and playing to add a little structure and fun to each day:
Keep reading to discover more about your baby’s feeding, diapering, and sleeping habits at 3 months old.
How Much and How Often Should a 3-Month-Old Eat?
Three-month-old baby feedings may become less frequent than they were in the early newborn days. Whether your baby’s nourishment comes from breast milk alone, from formula, or some combination of the two, most babies this age can consume a larger amount of milk at each feeding than they were able to in the previous two months.
So, how much formula or how many ounces of breast milk might your 3-month-old consume? It’s now about 5 to 6 ounces on average. And how often does a 3-month-old eat when either breastfed or formula-fed? Their feedings will be less frequent, about 6 to 8 feedings in a 24-hour period.
Since every baby is unique, the amount of milk your little one consumes, and their feeding frequency and schedule may differ from the average.
Diapering at 3-Months-Old
Tracking diapers is a good way to gauge if your baby is getting enough to eat. Their stools may be more solid now and occur less often. So, how often should a 3-month-old poop? And how long can a 3-month-old go without pooping? As a newborn, your baby may have passed a bowel movement after every feeding, but your 3-month-old baby may only poop one once per day, or even once every two or three days.
Wondering how many wet diapers your 3-month-old might produce per day? In general, you’ll know they’re feeding well when they produce around six wet diapers per day.
How Much Sleep Does a 3-Month-Old Baby Need?
At this point, your 3-month-old baby’s sleep schedule may be going through some changes. All that growing they’ve been doing means that they’re able to eat more during the day and sleep more during the night. You may be wondering, should you wake your 3-month-old baby to feed? At this stage, it’s possible that your baby may require fewer or no night feedings.
And, how many naps does a 3-month-old need? They may take two or three naps during the day, followed by a longer stretch at night. At this age, some 3-month-old babies may be sleeping through the night, which can mean snoozing six to eight hours without interruption, but it’s important to remember that this doesn’t happen just yet for all babies.
Sleep Schedule and Training for 3-Month-Old with Pampers Smart Sleep Coach
If you’re considering baby sleep training for your 3-month-old, it’s important to note that experts recommend waiting until your baby is at least 4 months old.
As your baby nears 4 months old, talk to their healthcare provider about sleep training—a science-backed process in which you teach your baby to fall asleep on their own and stay asleep longer.
3 Month Sleep Regression
At 3 months old, some babies may show signs of sleep regression, like waking more often or struggling to settle. However, true sleep regressions are more common around 4 months, when babies begin developing more regular sleep cycles. Before that, newborns typically sleep in shorter stretches—often just 1 to 2 hours at a time—so frequent waking is still normal at this stage.
To help promote a good night’s sleep for your 3-month-old, it’s a good idea to aim for a consistent sleep schedule that suits you both. Try the following tips for a more restful night:
Establish a routine. Give your baby a gentle massage, read a story, or sing a lullaby. A bedtime routine that includes some or all of these activities can help your 3-month-old baby wind down and get ready for sleep.
Let them settle down. Your baby may need a minute to settle down and get comfortable. It’s OK to let them wriggle, babble, or even cry a little before they nod off.
Minimize stimulation. If you need to attend to your baby during the night, try to minimize distractions. Keep the lights low and don’t talk very much during nighttime feedings or other visits to keep them calm and make it easier for them to drift back asleep.
Follow safe sleep practices. For safe, restful sleep, and to reduce the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) put your baby to sleep
on their back
in their own crib (not in your bed)
on a firm, flat crib mattress with no loose bedding, toys, or bumper pads
dressed comfortably for the room temperature
with a pacifier, if needed.
Your Baby’s Health
Some health issues you may encounter this month may include:
Infant Massage
You may be wondering if there’s anything you can do to promote health and wellness beyond your baby’s regular playtime activities. Some babies enjoy the relaxation and bonding that comes from an infant massage.
Your baby’s healthcare provider may have some specific advice, but here are some basic steps to follow:
Create a relaxing environment. You can use your baby’s changing table or your own bed. Place your baby on their back and maintain eye contact as you begin to massage them.
Use a gentle touch. Use gentle strokes to massage your baby starting from their head, neck, and shoulders to their waist, thighs, feet, and hands.
Talk or sing. Your baby will feel more relaxed if you talk softly or sing a favorite song while massaging them.
Gauge their reaction. Continue the massage if your baby seems happy. If they seem restless or fussy, stop, as they’re probably not enjoying it.
You’ll want to wait at least 45 minutes after feeding before beginning a massage. If your little one ends up enjoying this activity, it can continue well into their toddler years, too.
3-Month-Old Milestones Checklist
Here’s a quick checklist of the milestones your 3-month-old might be achieving around this period. Remember, each baby is unique, and many reach certain milestones at their own pace:
Lifts head and holds it up during tummy time
Follows moving objects with eyes
Smiles at people
Begins to coo and make vowel sounds
Shows interest in faces and patterns
Reaches for and grasps toys
Opens and closes hands
Brings hands to mouth
Pushes down with legs when feet are on a hard surface
Responds to your voice and starts “conversing” with sounds and expressions
Enjoys playtime and may mimic facial expressions.
To-Dos and Items You’ll Need This Month
Baby books. Dig out your favorite children’s books or head to the library or your local bookstore.
Baby swing. A baby swing is a great item to have on hand when you need to free your hands for a while and occupy your baby. The swinging motion can help calm a fussy baby and gently soothe them. If your baby falls asleep, move them to their crib.
Diapers and wipes. You’ll always need diapering supplies, so stock up whenever you have the opportunity.
Baby pacifier. Some babies benefit from the use of a pacifier—it can serve as a soothing device, especially as they fall asleep.
Baby thermometer. Using a thermometer specifically designed for babies makes taking a temperature much easier.
If you haven’t already, schedule your baby’s next routine checkup. Your baby’s healthcare provider will track your baby’s growth, do a physical exam, ask you how you’re doing, answer any of your questions, and schedule or give any immunizations your baby may need. Learn more about your baby’s immunization schedule.
Start looking ahead—check out what kinds of things may happen when your baby is 4 months old.
FAQs at a Glance
It's generally recommended to wait until your baby is at least 6 months old before introducing them to a pool. Younger infants are more susceptible to waterborne illnesses and may have difficulty regulating their body temperature. Always ensure close supervision and consult your healthcare provider before introducing your baby to swimming activities.
The Bottom Line
At 3 months old, your little one continues to make big strides in their developmental milestones. They’re becoming more curious, communicative, and responsive to you and things around them. You’ll likely notice playful “baby talk,” more controlled movements, and longer stretches of sleep. This stage is an exciting time for both you and your baby.
You may also be wondering, “What should a 3-month-old be doing?” This is a common question from parents, but keep in mind that every baby develops at their own pace, and what matters most is steady progress. Keep in contact with your healthcare provider and attend all your well-child checkups. Remember that small moments like tummy time and physical contact are a great way to support your baby’s development.
As you continue to care for your little one, don’t forget to take care of the essentials, too. The Pampers Rewards App makes it easier to save on diapers and wipes by offering personalized digital offers—because those daily choices matter, too.
How We Wrote This Article The information in this article is based on the expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.