Your 3-month-old's development: Week 2

Coordinating arms, legs, and hands

Your baby can now wave her arms and pump her legs. And as her hip and knee joints become more flexible, her kicks are getting stronger. Hold her upright with her feet on the floor and feel her push down.



Your baby can also bring both hands together and open and close her fingers. Encourage her eye-hand coordination by holding out a toy to see if she'll reach for it. (Yes, swatting at a toy is a developmental milestone!) Just be sure to move that mobile out of your baby's reach, because she may be able to bring it crashing down before too long.

Touchy feely

Babies simply love to be touched. In fact, they thrive on it — it's a critical part of growth and development. All that skin-to-skin contact not only helps you and your baby bond, but is comforting when she's upset and soothing when she's irritable.



Nurture your baby's sense of touch with a variety of materials — such as fur, felt, and terrycloth. Your baby will likely try to eat everything, so choose carefully and don't leave her alone with anything that could come apart in her mouth. And look for books like Pat the Bunny that make reading a tactile experience.



Touch — the feel of a gentle breeze or a massage, being carried on your hip, or kissed on the nose — is a powerful way to relax or engage your baby. It may even make her more alert and help her have a longer attention span.



For a simple baby massage, find a warm, flat surface to lay your baby on — a blanket on a carpeted floor is fine. Pour a little baby oil or vegetable oil in your palms and rub your hands together to warm them and the oil. Look into your baby's eyes, and sing or talk to her as you do the massage.



Pay attention to your baby's response: If she doesn't seem to be enjoying herself, try a lighter or heavier touch, or simply stop. No need to know about special strokes, either. All she needs is your gentle touch.

Remember, your baby is an individual

All babies are unique and meet milestones at their own pace. Developmental guidelines simply show what your baby has the potential to accomplish — if not right now, then soon. If your baby was premature, keep in mind that kids born early usually need a bit more time to meet their milestones. If you have any questions at all about your baby's development, ask your healthcare provider.

source: babycenter