Appointments – What's coming up in the 3rd month?

• U4: From the end of the third month of life the U4 is due. The time windows for well-child checkups are now getting larger, also to accommodate your baby's individual pace of development. The first vaccination is often given together with the U4.

• Vaccination: The so-called primary immunization can begin from the ninth week of life. These days combined vaccines are usually used, so your baby doesn't have to be 'pricked' unnecessarily often. The first hexavalent vaccination against tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, polio, HIB (Haemophilus influenzae type B) and hepatitis B is boosted with a repeat vaccination about one month later.

• Schedule a postnatal recovery course: Postnatal recovery courses are recommended from the fourth to fifth month. Often the courses fill up quickly – so it makes sense to register early at the hospital with a midwife or at the adult education center.

Important developmental milestones in the 3rd month

The third month is full of surprises for many parents – little by little the helpless newborn becomes an alert little person who watches everything attentively and contentedly 'babbling' to themself.

• Sight and hearing: Your baby sees more sharply, can track objects with their eyes and, for example, turns their head toward the mobile on the changing table. Hearing also sharpens with each day. Your little one attentively searches for sources of sound or turns toward familiar voices. Many babies respond to songs if you sing them in recurring situations.

• Day-and-night rhythm: By the third month most children have adapted to a regular day-and-night rhythm – which does not mean they sleep through the night. You have probably already received tips on how your baby will 'definitely' sleep through the night. Don't put too much stock in them – when babies sleep through the night varies greatly and does not necessarily depend on you.

• Increasing body control: Your baby can hold their head increasingly well and can sometimes already briefly lift it from the tummy position. Slowly they also learn to move their limbs more controllably and independently. Some babies even unintentionally roll from their stomach onto their back.

• Grasping and holding: At three months your baby no longer grabs reflexively but can control whether to grasp and hold something – now grasping toys, rattles or everyday objects become increasingly interesting.

• Communicating: Your little wonder now experiments more with their voice and produces a wide variety of sounds. Respond to them with the same sounds – most babies really enjoy that.

How much should my baby weigh at 3 months?

In the third month of life your baby weighs between 5.800 and 6.400 grams and is approx. 60 to 61 centimeters long. Weight gain and physical changes become more noticeable during this phase. Your little one develops a rounder face, fuller cheeks and also small rolls of fat on the arms and legs are completely normal. Baby fat primarily has a protective function and can be a cause for concern, even if other children the same age are a bit slimmer. If in doubt, have this examined by your pediatrician and have them give you an assessment.

Image credits

Modern baby scale on the table and out-of-focus woman with child in a house © New Africa - stock.adobe.com