The 3rd month
Maybe you’ve already developed something like a routine – or maybe not. Or maybe the rhythm you thought you’d found has disappeared from one day to the next. That is quite normal: your baby is continually going through big changes – so-called growth spurts – which are often accompanied by new abilities, but also new challenges.
The 3rd month in brief
- Growth spurts are associated with new skills, but often also with new challenges.
- The “oral phase” begins, an important stage of development. Make sure that your baby cannot swallow any small objects.
- “Three-month colic” commonly occurs at this point. Massages and hot water bottles can help.
- Many babies put on baby fat now. But thinner babies can also be healthy and lively.
- Most babies love water and experimenting with it. The bathtub becomes an adventure playground.
The oral phase
Most babies now have a reduced need for sleep and the waking phases increase accordingly. During this time, they curiously explore the world, but also themselves. Babies find their hands and feet, for example, extremely interesting: your baby may be fascinated by the movements of their own hands and like to put them in their mouth again and again. This is because the “oral phase” begins around the third month. It is an important developmental step in which children experience the world with the mouth as an organ of touch. Babies put everything they can get their hands on into their mouths. That’s why it’s important to be vigilant: small objects such as marbles or button batteries are easily swallowed and can be dangerous. Baby-friendly toys such as rattles, teething rings or animals made of child-safe rubber, on the other hand, satisfy the baby’s curiosity in a safe way.
All these new impressions support brain development, but can sometimes also cause to your baby to be more restless and sleep more irregularly, cry more often and suddenly get much more clingy. This can be a sign that they are emotionally challenged at the moment and therefore needs even more closeness.
Baby fat and flatulence
Your child has continued to put on weight and some babies now have the famous “baby fat”: a round face, full cheeks and adorably chubby arms and legs. But as already mentioned: Not all children are the same and even a thinner, more delicate child can be a healthy child as long as they are within their percentile.
Some babies suffer from the infamous “three-month colic” during this period. These abdominal complaints don’t last that long – they’re named after the point in time at which they usually emerge. Why babies often suffer from abdominal pain during this time has not been conclusively clarified. One reason may be hasty drinking, which causes too much air to enter the stomach and trigger discomfort. Very gentle abdominal massages in a clockwise direction or a hot water bottle can help. Most babies also like it when they can kick their feet against something – for example your hands or a pillow. If you feel that your symptoms are getting worse, ask a medical professional for advice: Even if the colic is usually harmless, in rare cases something else can be the cause of the discomfort.
Discovery moment of the month: “water”
Water is a fascinating element for babies. Whether it’s experiencing how the water splashes in the bathtub when you splash it with your hands or how it feels to be completely weightless in a large swimming pool. Dedicated baby swimming courses are usually offered from around three months. It’s not about the baby learning to swim, but simply the joy of water and a bonding activity for babies and parents. However, if your baby doesn’t enjoy the water in the bath, it’s probably too early and you’d better wait a little longer until your baby is ready.
